Gasso, McDonald Put Buena Park in Position for Title

LA HABRA — Quarterback Ruben Gasso and running back Brian McDonald combined for 206 yards rushing and three touchdowns Friday to lead Buena Park to a 27-15 victory over Sonora in a Freeway League game at La Habra High.

Gasso rushed for 76 yards and two touchdowns in 17 carries as the Coyotes (4-5, 3-1 in league) won for the third consecutive week. McDonald rushed for 130 yards in 26 carries, and his 34-yard touchdown run with 1:37 to play sealed the victory.

Buena Park’s victory sets up a league championship matchup next week against Sunny Hills. Sunny Hills also has a 3-1 league record.

“We were on a mission tonight,” McDonald said. “Next week is going to be a showdown. Nobody can stop us.”

Trailing, 3-0, late in the second quarter, Gasso capped the Coyotes’ 12-play, 57-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run for a 7-3 lead with 3:29 left in the half.

After a Sonora turnover, Brett Strike helped Buena Park take a 13-6 lead with an eight-yard touchdown run. Chris Rico then kicked his third field goal of the game, this one from 22 yards, to help Sonora (2-7, 1-3) cut Buena Park’s lead to 13-9 with 1:19 to play in the quarter.

Gasso scored with 7:43 left in the fourth quarter on a three-yard touchdown run that helped Buena Park take a 20-9 lead.

“Gasso is a big weapon,” Buena Park’s first-year Coach Manny Saiz said. “We knew we had to play power football tonight.”