PREP EXTRA: SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : Sonora Loses, but Still Wins Share of Title

FULLERTON â€”  While Fullerton celebrated its 12-7 homecoming victory over Sonora on Friday, the Raiders unknowingly backed into a share of their first league championship in 21 years by virtue of Buena Park’s upset of second-place Troy.

Sonora (5-4, 3-1) can win the Freeway League title outright with a victory over Sunny Hills Thursday, but that’s one of the few things for certain in the league race.

Fullerton (5-4, 2-2) can get a piece of the league title if it beats Troy (2-2) and Sonora loses.

Sonora was six yards away from victory, but the Indians sacked quarterback Kevin Rodriguez three consecutive times with less than a minute to play to keep their title chances alive.

Sonora had started its final drive on its 44 with 4:44 remaining when a short run followed by a facemask penalty put the ball at Fullerton’s 39.

Rodriguez hit Shawn Brass with a 13-yard pass on third and eight, then completed an 11-yard pass to Mark Gonzalez on fourth and eight. Fullerton’s Mario Ramirez was called for spearing on the play, giving Sonora a first down at the eight.

After Albert Lopez ran the ball to the six, Tyler Brickell sacked Rodriguez for a seven-yard loss and Ramirez then had consecutive sacks, ending the Raider drive at the 38.

“They played great defensively,� Sonora Coach Mark Takkinen said. “They stopped everything, it’s the best defense a team has played against us this season.�

Fullerton took a 6-0 lead with 2 minutes 40 seconds left in the first quarter when Christopher Young, who rushed for 130 yards in 24 carries, scored on a six-yard touchdown run.

The Raiders answered when Angel Cueva intercepted a pass and returned it eight yards to the Fullerton 18. Three plays later, Rodriguez rolled right and threw across the field to Lopez for a 16-yard scoring pass.

The Indians went ahead in the third quarter when a short punt and a facemask call gave Fullerton the ball at the Raider 16. Young then followed with a three-yard touchdown run with 2:44 left in the quarter.