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Buena Park’s football team lugged a 22-game losing streak into its season-opening contest but second-year coach David Prieto focused on a few different trends.

The 36-year-old found hope in the number of players who stuck with the Coyotes following their 0-10 finish last fall, which came after an 0-5 mark in the pandemic-shortened spring season. And Prieto remembered their commitment during the offseason to get stronger in the weight room.

“That told me we were on track,” he said.

Prieto’s confidence was rewarded Friday as Buena Park snapped its losing streak by defeating visiting Cerritos 49-21.

It was the Coyotes’ first victory since Sept. 6, 2019 at Firebaugh of Lynwood, and their first triumph at home since 2018 against Fullerton.

“It was an amazing feeling,” said Prieto, a first-time head coach who played center at Fullerton High. “These guys really worked hard in the offseason.”

Prieto said the program’s 16 seniors have helped lead the way.

Seniors Azim Muhammad, Jadin Saxton and Jayden Costa each scored twice against Cerritos.

Muhammad, a 5-foot-7, 174-pound running back, showed quick feet and excellent vision en route to 134 yards rushing on 23 carries. He has been offered by Division II Western New Mexico, which has recently signed Western’s Tywon Mitchell and Michael Sutton-Shy and Los Alamitos’ Darren Wingfield.

Costa, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound wide receiver, contributed two tackle-busting touchdown receptions of over 50 yards from first-year starting quarterback Aaron Rodriguez, a junior.

Saxton. a 6-foot, 200-pound wide receiver/safety, also caught two touchdowns and added two interceptions.

“Explosive plays are back (at Buena Park),” said Prieto, whose coaching staff includes former Kennedy and Notre Dame standout wide receiver Rhema McKnight.

Buena Park also received 18 total tackles from linebacker Danny Washington, a junior whose twin brother — also named Danny — played as a two-way lineman. Senior left tackle Eduardo Nieto (6-1, 280) helped anchor the offensive line.

But for all the excitement of ending the losing streak, Prieto said his team refocused Saturday during film review and practice. Buena Park plays host Friday to Savanna, which is making its season debut.

The Coyotes have placed special importance on playing well at home this season, adopting the rallying cry of “Protect the Den” for the seven games slated for Buena Park High’s stadium.

“We definitely have to get more wins,” Prieto said. “(Cerritos) was a good start.”

JSERRA MOURNS ASSISTANT COACH

JSerra held a moment of silence before its season-opening victory against visiting Sierra Canyon for fourth-year Lions linebackers coach Mike McGraw. JSerra coach Scott McKnight said McGraw, 51, died Aug. 13.

“Good teacher,” he said of McGraw. “Good coaches are good teachers. He was a (heck) of a guy.”

NOTES

Capistrano Valley and Crean Lutheran, coached by Sean Curtis and his father Rick Curtis, respectively, won their season-opener games decisively, one week after their teams scrimmaged against each other for the second consecutive season. “Its fun to be opposite sideline from him,” Sean Curtis said. “We’re competitive.” …

Ex-Tustin coach Myron Miller still marvels about his former running back DeShaun Foster, recently named to the inaugural class of the California High School Football Hall of Fame. “Never missed a practice. Never missed a game,” Miller said last week. “Fifty-nine touchdowns (his senior season) handed to the referee (afterward).” …

Mater Dei junior wide receiver Marcus Brown, who caught two TDs last week, is the brother of former Edison standout wide receiver Nico Brown, now a freshman at Yale. “He’s a stud,” Nico said of his brother. …

Edison is wearing patches this season dedicated to brothers Joshua and Jeremy Page, two football players who died following a car accident in Huntington Beach in March. …

Former Edison wide receiver Tyler Hampton, The Register’s Male Outstanding Competitor for 2021-22, is playing for Santa Ana College, Dons football coach Anthony White said.