HENDERSON, Nev. - The desert heat was about the only thing that bothered the Fountain Valley football team on Friday night.

Despite triple-digit temperatures from start to finish, the Barons established the tempo early and went on to start their season with an impressive 49-14 victory over Foothill High.

Kyle Middlebrooks rushed 17 times for 147 yards, scoring three touchdowns on the ground and one on a Steven Santana pass, to lead Fountain Valley.

Though the victory looked easy, Barons coach John Ship said the heat affected his players in the first half.

“I saw it was bothering them,” Ship said. “Especially the guys who were playing both ways.

"At halftime I told them it didn’t look like they were in very good shape, but they finally stepped up and made some plays.”

The first big play came midway through the first quarter. Santana, who completed 9 of 12 passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns, hit Middlebrooks with a short screen. Middlebrooks broke through the line and sprinted down the right side for a 66-yard touchdown.
Fountain Valley struck again minutes later when Santana connected with Ryan Manzon for a 4-yard TD.

Dylan Garcia’s 14-yard sprint early in the second quarter gave the Barons a 21-0 lead, and Middlebrooks scored again late in the second quarter to make it 28-7 at halftime.

Middlebrooks ran for two more scores in the second half, and Santana connected with Nyko Gonzalez early in the fourth quarter to wrap up the rout.

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Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com