University captures Omicron League victory over Buena Park in defensive battle

(PHOTO: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

University High School’s football team remained undefeated at home with a 10-2 Omicron League win over Buena Park on Pink Out Night Friday. University’s defense stopped Buena Park three times in the red zone (all in the fourth quarter),

The Trojans had a 22-yard Dylan Elmer touchdown scamper overturned by a holding penalty early in the second quarter and had to settle for a Jake Rabold 34-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.

University (3-4, 1-1) couldn’t get its passing game untracked and was just 1-for-8 for 14 yards on the night. The Trojans relied on their running game for a change with 128 yards on the ground. Zion Barreto scored on a 20-yard run early in the third quarter to increase the lead to 10-0. The senior running back carried the ball 20 times for 95 yards.

Buena Park (4-3, 1-1) started moving the ball in the second half.

Quarterback Kevin Garcia was 21-34 for 202 yards and added 18 yards on the ground. Damian Rodriguez caught seven passes for 59 yards, Andrew Delgado snatched four for 63 yards and Bryant Hansbrough hauled in four for 47 yards.

The Coyotes were knocking on the door, but remained scoreless when a 31-yard field goal attempt by Christopher Ramirez struck the left upright. Buena Park was soon driving again and was stopped by the first of two Jacob Najar sacks.

Ramirez then put a coffin corner punt down on the two-yard line. University couldn’t move the ball and Elmer was tackled in the end zone for a safety, cutting its lead to 10-2 with just under six minutes to play.

One minute later after a Rabold 76-yard kickoff, Cruz McMullens intercepted his third pass of the year. Two minutes later Uni punted again. Buena Park drove to the Uni 20, but McMullens broke up a fourth-and-three pass to effectively end the game. Deandre Miller and Marco Pablo Tirado were defensive stalwarts for the Trojans with each having two tackles for loss.

University’s defense kept an opponent scoreless offensively for the second time. The Trojans had a shutout earlier this year.

—Courtesy Daryl Bogard, For OC Sports Zone