Buena Park Upsets Fullerton and Secures a Spot in Playoffs

Buena Park upset Freeway League champion Fullerton, 24-17, Friday night at Buena Park and the victory, coupled with Sunny Hills’ win over Troy, propels the Coyotes into next week’s Southern Section Division IX playoffs.

“This was too tight,” Buena Park Coach Manny Saiz said. “Our defense froze up a little, but they [the defense] won the game for us. We felt all week that we could beat these guys.”

The Coyotes (3-7, 3-2) scored 10 fourth-quarter points and held off a late Fullerton rally to give the Indians’ their first league loss.

Buena Park took a 21-10 lead early in the fourth quarter after quarterback Earl Parker completed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Reed. The Coyotes increased their lead to 24-10 as Florin Gociu kicked a 35-yard field goal with four minutes remaining.

Two plays later, the Indians closed to within seven points (24-17) when Johathan Pate scored on a 37-yard touchdown run. In the final minute of the game, Fullerton (5-5, 4-1) drove to the Buena Park 15-yard line, but Pate’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete in the end zone.

Coyotes’ running back Marquis Colvin rushed for 104 yards in 22 carries and scored Buena Park’s first touchdown.