Nicholson Catches On for Brea

Brandon Nicholson caught two passes, both for touchdowns, and returned an interception 76 yards to lead Brea Olinda to a 34-14 victory over visiting Cerritos Friday night.

Nicholson caught second-quarter passes of 39 and 70 yards from Steve Stagnero to help propel the Wildcats to a 34-0 halftime advantage.

Brea (2-0) piled up 304 yards of total offense in the first half while holding Cerritos (1-1) to one first down to help put the game out of reach.

Nicholson set up the opening Wildcat drive with a 46-yard kickoff return to the Brea 48. A couple of runs--20 and 19 yards--by Manuel Gutierrez set up the first score, a seven-yard touchdown run by Stagnero. Matt Votaw kicked the first of his four extra points for a 7-0 lead.

Gutierrez scored the second Brea touchdown with 2:28 left in the first quarter on an eight-yard run.

Scott Modic caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Stagnero early in the second quarter to increase Brea’s lead to 21-0.

Nicholson’s first touchdown, covering 39 yards, was caught in the end zone with 6:52 left in the first half.

Nicholson caught his second scoring pass in full stride on the 30 and the junior receiver went untouched into the end zone.

Stagnero connected on five of eight passes in the first half for 180 yards.

Cerritos came out throwing in the second half. Tim Austin connected with Randy Raphiel on a two-yard touchdown pass play with 9:13 left in the third quarter.

Cerritos scored with 26 seconds left in the game on a three-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Finn to Charles Cordray.

Gutierrez enjoyed his second consecutive 100-yard plus rushing performance, picking up 105 yards in 16 carries.

Cerritos was without star running back Jermaine Whiten, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards in each of the past two seasons. He injured his leg early in last week’s 33-7 loss to Brethren Christian and is not expected to be back in action until the Suburban League season begins.

Brea Olinda’s defense was able to limit Kenneth Frank, who had four touchdowns and 164 yards rushing last week, to 33 yards.