La Habra’s Ryan Zanelli throws a pass during a Freeway League game against Sunny Hills at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra’s Kristopher Koontz, center, sprints to score on a kickoff during a Freeway League game against Sunny Hills at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra players celebrate Kristopher Koontz’s touchdown during a Freeway League game against Sunny Hills at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Sunny Hills quarterback Luke Duxbury looks for a teammate to pass during a Freeway League game against La Habra at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra’s Clark Phillips, right, looks to sprint past Sunny HillsÕ Wilson Cal during a Freeway League game at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra’s Dylan Casey, left, sacks Sunny HillsÕ Luke Duxbury during a Freeway League game at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra’s Clark Phillips, right, scores a touchdown past Sunny HillsÕ Jun Ahn during a Freeway League game at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra’s Ryan Zanelli is among three senior quarterbacks who are top contenders for All-Orange County honors. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra’s Jackson Henry tries to sprint over a tackle by Sunny HillsÕ Jun Ahn during a Freeway League game at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra’s Ryan Zanelli, right, throws a pass during a Freeway League game against Sunny Hills at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra’s Clark Phillips, right, sprints past Sunny HillsÕ Luke Duxbury for a touchdown during a Freeway League game at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Sunny Hills head coach Peter Karavedas yells instructions to his players during a Freeway League game against La Habra at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra’s Dylan Casey shows his excitement after tackling Sunny HillsÕ Luke Duxbury during a Freeway League game at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra head coach Frank Mazzotta, right, gives instructions to Ryan Zanelli during a Freeway League game against Sunny Hills at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Sunny Hills head coach Peter Karavedas during a Freeway League game against La Habra at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Sunny Hills head coach Peter Karavedas yells instructions to his players during a Freeway League game against La Habra at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
La Habra’s Kristopher Koontz sprites with the ball during a Freeway League game against Sunny Hills at Buena Park High School in Buena Park on Friday, October 18, 2019. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
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FULLERTON – La Habra took a significant step toward adding to its large collection of Freeway League championships Friday with a 49-7 win over Sunny Hills in a league game at Buena Park High.
The Highlanders are alone in first place in the Freeway League with a 3-0 record. They were tied for first with Sunny Hills going into the game. Sunny Hills (6-2 overall) is in second with a 2-1 league record.
La Habra (6-2 overall) has won two consecutive league championships and 11 league titles over the past 12 seasons. In 2016 the Highlanders finished second to Buena Park.
Highlanders senior quarterback Ryan Zanelli completed 21 of 30 passes for 306 yards and five touchdowns. He came into the week with 2,046 passing yards, the second-most in Orange County.
Three of his touchdown passes went to senior Clark Phillips III. Phillips, who committed to Ohio State as a cornerback, this season has eight touchdowns receptions.
Clark Phillips is one of the best cornerbacks in California. He got involved in the La Habra offense tonight with three TD receptions in a 49-7 win over Sunny Hills. He committed to Ohio State @ocvarsity@OhioStateFBpic.twitter.com/NpG8QGHgHD
La Habra senior receiver Kris Koontz returned the opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown. All three of Phillips’ touchdown receptions were in the first half. The Highlanders had a 28-0 lead at halftime.
Brandon Vasquez and Max Franco also had touchdown catches for the Highlanders and Cade Luncford scored on a touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Jun Ahn scored Sunny Hills’ touchdown on a 1-yard dive in the third quarter. He rushed for 80 yards, 53 below his per-game average.
The Highlanders are No. 7 in the Orange County top 25 media poll and No. 4 in CIF-Southern Section Division 3. La Habra’s losses were to Mission Viejo and Calabasas which are ranked No. 4 and No. 7 respectively, in the Division 1/2 combined top 10.
Sunny Hills is ranked No. 25 in O.C. and No. 2 in CIF-SS Division 8.
La Habra has won 62 of 63 league games. The Highlanders’ most-recent league loss was to Buena Park in 2016. After that loss they won their final two 2016 league games, went 5-0 in league in 2017 and ’18 and is 3-0 in league this season.
