GAME RECAP: Sutton, Wildcats Go Back To Back State Title Champs Over Kares At Saddleback

By Justin Tatsuki Lee

Saturday December 13, 2025

Game: Sonora vs Rio Hondo Prep

The Division 2-A State Championship opened Championship Saturday at Saddleback College with a clash of unbeaten heavyweights, as Sonora Union and Rio Hondo Prep entered with a combined 29–0 record. Built on physical run games and disciplined defense, the matchup promised a grind—and Sonora delivered a complete four-quarter performance, pulling away for a 35–10 victory to claim the Division 2-A state crown.

First Quarter — Sonora Capitalizes Early, Rio Hondo Settles for Three

Rio Hondo Prep received the opening kickoff, but Sonora’s defense immediately announced its presence. Cash Byington opened the game with a tackle for loss, and the Wildcats forced a quick punt after stuffing Calogero Chico short of the sticks.

Sonora’s first drive wasn’t clean, as a fumbled exchange briefly stalled momentum, but the Wildcats showed confidence going for it on fourth down. Byington ripped off a 9-yard conversion to extend the drive before Tommy Sutton and the run game pushed Sonora deep into Kares territory. Byington finished the possession himself, bursting in for an 8-yard touchdown.
Sonora 7, Rio Hondo Prep 0 (4:06, 1st)

Rio Hondo responded with its best drive of the quarter. A 43-yard strike to Tyler Dang flipped the field, and the Kares moved inside the 10 before stalling. Easton Jara converted a 27-yard field goal to get Rio Hondo on the board.
Sonora 7, Rio Hondo Prep 3 (0:19, 1st)

Second Quarter — Speer Breaks It Open, Wildcats Control the Trenches

Sonora opened the second quarter with momentum after a long kickoff return and a punishing 23-yard run by Brody Speer. But the drive stalled when Christian Lee forced and recovered a fumble, giving Rio Hondo a chance to swing momentum.

The Kares pieced together a promising march, highlighted by catches from Dang and tough inside runs from Nathaniel Shine. However, a miscommunication on 4th-and-10 resulted in a turnover on downs, keeping Sonora in control.

Two plays later, Speer delivered the game’s defining moment—exploding through the middle and racing 67 yards untouched to the end zone.
Sonora 14, Rio Hondo Prep 3 (2:17, 2nd)

Rio Hondo answered with its most creative sequence of the half, executing a hook-and-ladder to move inside the red zone. But on 4th-and-3 from the 15, Byington tracked down Lee one yard short, forcing another turnover on downs. Sonora ran out the clock to head into halftime firmly in command.

Halftime: Sonora 14, Rio Hondo Prep 3

Second Half — Sonora Pulls Away, Defense Slams the Door

Sonora wasted no time asserting control after halftime. Benefiting from a short kickoff, the Wildcats started at midfield and quickly marched inside the red zone. Tommy Sutton finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.
Sonora 21, Rio Hondo Prep 3 (7:09, 3rd)

Disaster struck on Rio Hondo’s next possession when Steven Morfoot intercepted a pass at the Kares’ 39-yard line. Sonora capitalized again, with Sutton punching in his second touchdown from a yard out to extend the lead.
Sonora 28, Rio Hondo Prep 3 (1:34, 3rd)

Rio Hondo attempted to rally late in the third and early fourth, leaning more heavily on the passing game. Despite tough catches by Lee and Dang, the drive ended when Morfoot came up with his second interception of the game, his ninth of the season.

Pinned deep, Sonora flipped field position with their first punt of the day. The Wildcats soon got the ball back and delivered the final blow—Byington bulldozed defenders on a 16-yard run, and Sutton completed his hat trick with a 10-yard touchdown.
Sonora 35, Rio Hondo Prep 3 (3:38, 4th)

Rio Hondo added a late highlight with a 46-yard touchdown reception in the final minute, but Sonora knelt out the clock to seal the championship.

Final: Sonora Union 35, Rio Hondo Prep 10

Sonora captures the Division 2-A State Championship, completing an unbeaten season with a dominant display of physical football, defensive discipline, and backfield depth. Head coach Kirk Clifton adds another state title to his résumé after guiding the Wildcats to last season’s Division 4-A championship.

Rio Hondo Prep, led by longtime head coach Mark Carson, showed grit throughout an undefeated run to the title game, but was ultimately worn down by Sonora’s relentless ground attack and turnover-forcing defense.