HUNTINGTON BEACH – Fountain Valley coach Ray Fenton knew his defense would need to showcase a concoction of physicality and discipline against Westminster’s potent offense Friday night.
After all, Westminster had produced a resounding 113 points in its last two games.
But Fountain Valley’s formula of on-the-ball awareness and pressure defense proved to be nearly perfect.
Celebrating homecoming, Fountain Valley forced three turnovers, ran for 360 yards on offense and roared past the Lions, 45-6, in a nonleague matchup at Huntington Beach High.
“It was good to see our kids respond that way,” Fenton said. “Our kids have a way of finding the end zone on defense.”
Fountain Valley’s defense kept Westminster’s running attack at bay all night, and Hunter Margain capped the Barons’ scoring with a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Junior Kent Swift, taking over play-calling duties in the second half and staked to a 23-0 lead, ran for 116 yards on 10 carries. He scored on consecutive possessions to begin the third quarter.
Fountain Valley (4-1) opened up the outburst with 1:08 remaining in the first quarter when starting quarterback Chad Olberding scored on a keeper from 13 yards out. On its first possession of the second quarter, the Barons’ pistol offense struck again when Dakarai Barnett ran a sweep up the middle for a 45-yard score.
Westminster (2-2) fumbled on the first play of its ensuing possession, allowing Fountain Valley’s Tyler Vaimaona to recover. The Barons drove 69 yards on five plays and scored on Margain’s 3-yard push into the end zone.
The Lions (2-2) were held to 47 yards in the first half. Westminster scored on a 40-yard pass from Matt Dinh to Daniel White in the third quarter.
