Esperanza Discovers a Passing Game to Defeat Sunny Hills

BUENA PARK —  Esperanza High School experienced an offensive awakening of sorts Friday night. The Aztecs, who traditionally play smash-mouth football, found a new way to move the ball against Sunny Hills--the pass.

Quarterback Keith McDonald completed 12 of 16 passes for 198 yards to lead Esperanza to a 17-13 victory in front of 2,000 at Buena Park High School. While that may not seem like much of an aerial onslaught, for the Aztecs it was wide-open football.

This is a team that, in the past, had annually produced 1,000-yard rushers who worked behind large offensive linemen. The Aztecs continue to run the ball effectively, but this season, it’s a two-dimensional act.

“We wanted to be more balanced this season and tonight we accomplished it,” said Esperanza Coach Gary Meek, whose team came into the game ranked fourth in Orange County.

Although McDonald did not throw a touchdown pass, he did set up all three Aztec scores with his passing.

In the second quarter, Esperanza (5-0) drove 75 yards to tie the score, 7-7. McDonald completed two passes, both to Jason Long, for 53 yards on the drive. Long’s second reception went for 16 yards and set up a one-yard touchdown run by Mike Burns.

Minutes later, McDonald completed a 34-yard pass to Reid Pullen, who made a leaping catch at the one-yard line. Two plays later, Mark Parlin scored and the Aztecs led, 14-7, at halftime.

In the fourth quarter, McDonald completed a 27-yard pass to Jerod Smith to set up a 27-yard field goal by Clay King.

“That was a great game by Keith . . . finally,” Meek said. “He’s struggled through the first four games. But this is what we expected from him.”

Despite their passing fancy, the Aztecs still remember how to run the ball.

Esperanza had seven different backs carry the ball for 177 yards. Fullback Garrick Emry was the most effective of the group with 96 yards in 23 carries.

In fact, things might have been more lopsided had it not been for Sunny Hills’ defense. The Lancers (2-3) stopped the Aztecs inside the 10-yard line twice in the second half.

However, Sunny Hills’ offense did little to help its defense. The Lancers had only 198 total yards.

Quarterback Jamal McKenzie continued to struggle, completing only seven of 17 passes for 83 yards. He did throw for one touchdown and run for another, but was unable to come up with the big play when the Lancers needed it.

Most of Sunny Hills’ offensive burden fell on running back Kenny Overby, who had 68 yards rushing and 36 receiving.

However, he wasn’t nearly enough to counteract Esperanza’s offense and its new philosophy.