Featured Games

Mission Viejo vs. Fountain Valley

The records--Mission Viejo (2-0), Fountain Valley (2-0).

The site--Sheue Field.

Mission Viejo update--Ask an opposing coach for an opinion on the Diablos and you’re likely to hear that this could be the best team Mission Viejo has fielded in recent years. Diablo Coach Bill Crow is inclined to agree . . . to a point. “This is very similar to our ’81 team (which won the Central Conference championship),” Crow said. “The ’81 team may have had a little more depth.” That championship team had two talented running backs, and Crow thinks he has a similar backfield tandem this season in Todd Yert and Darrin Sweazy . Yert and Sweazy helped the Diablos compile almost 400 yards in total offense in last week’s 42-3 win over University. “They’re very hard to bring down one-on-one,” Crow said. Quarterback Brendan Murphy has attempted only 16 passes. “It’s not that he can’t throw the ball,” Crow said. “When you’ve got two running backs who can run the ball, you’re not afraid to give it to them.”

Fountain Valley update--The No. 3-ranked Barons are in the middle of a demanding nonleague schedule. Next week, they face Servite, then play Long Beach Poly. “It’s like Murderer’s Row,” said Mike Milner, Fountain Valley coach. “If we’re alive three weeks from now, we could be a good football team.” Milner is hoping that tailback Tom Vrab , who returned to the lineup last week after missing the season opener with a knee injury, can provide a boost to the Barons’ sputtering offense. Vrab played sparingly in last week’s 14-7 win over El Toro and is expected to see slightly more action tonight. Fullback Terry Reichert has done most of the rushing in Vrab’s absence and has gained 193 yards on 41 carries. Quarterback John Peart has been an inconsistent passer, completing 14 of 35 attempts for 233 yards in wins over Mater Dei and El Toro. “We had hoped that he would have connected a little more often, but it’s early in the season,” Milner said. When Peart does connect, it’s usually with wide receiver Dennis Arey, who has 9 receptions for 169 yards, an average of 18.8 yards per catch.

Key to the game--The running game. Fountain Valley must find a way to contain Yert and Sweazy. Offensively, the Barons need good performances from Reichert and Vrab to take some of the pressure off of Peart.

Consensus--Crow calls this game “by far our biggest test” thus far, and he’s right. The Barons have the edge in having played two quality opponents.

Foothill vs. Marina

The records--Foothill (0-2), Marina (1-1-1).

The site--Westminster Stadium.

Foothill update--The Knights have lost to both Capistrano Valley and La Quinta by identical 26-7 scores, but Coach Ted Mullen, who had lost just seven games in four previous years at Foothill, isn’t overly discouraged. “It’s a different feeling, but it will be good for us in the long run,” he said. “I’d rather go against tougher teams and learn some lessons.” What Mullen is finding out is that his offense is extremely inexperienced, and that he is in dire need of some leadership from his quarterbacks. Chris Fergus threw two interceptions against La Quinta last week, and both were returned for touchdowns. Mullen replaced Fergus with Brian Horton in the third period, but Fergus will be the starter again tonight. After allowing La Quinta an 80-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter, Foothill’s defense, behind linebackers Tom Quinn and Barry Walshe, didn’t allow another point.

Marina update--The Vikings, who opened the season with a tie against St. Louis High of Hawaii and a win over Esperanza, got out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead over Servite last Saturday night. But Marina was not able to score again and lost, 24-14. The Vikings’ strength is defense, especially in the secondary, where Bill Craft, Keith Laszlo and Todd Destatte each have two interceptions. However, that same defense was susceptible to the big play last week, allowing a 79-yard touchdown pass play and several long completions. Sean Magula had touchdown runs of 11 and 81 yards last week until the Friars’ defense put the clamp on the Vikings, allowing only 34 total yards in the last three quarters. Quarterback Rick Vanderriet, in his first year of organized football, has been sporadic, completing 11 of 31 passes for 204 yards.

Key to the game--Foothill must refrain from making costly offensive mistakes, and it must find a way to slow Magula and backfield mate Mike Stafford, who has rushed for 140 yards in three games. Marina should be able to contain Foothill’s offense, so it will be up to the Vikings’ offense to move the ball against the Knights.

Consensus--Marina is a very physical team, and its strength on the offensive and defensive lines give it the advantage.

Edison vs.Banning

The records--Edison (1-1), Banning (1-0).

The series--Banning leads, 3-0.

The site--Veterans Stadium in Long Beach.

Edison update--Bill Workman, Charger coach, goes for his 100th career victory tonight against a team he has never beaten. The Chargers, Orange County’s No. 1-ranked team in most preseason polls, lost to El Modena, 14-0, in their opener but rebounded for a 35-14 win against Colton. When asked to rate his team’s performances against El Modena and Colton on a scale of 1 to 10, Workman said, “We were a minus 6 against El Modena and a 7 against Colton. We’ll have to be a 10 and Banning will have to be a minus 3 in order for us to win.” The Chargers showed remarkable improvement against Colton with sophomore tailback Kaleaph Carter gaining 136 yards on 24 carries. “It was hard to believe we were the same team that opened against El Modena,” Workman said. “There was a good, overall effort, and we hit somebody.”

Banning update--The Pilots, the City’s No. 1-ranked team, also had a sub-par opener with a 13-9 win over Santa Maria. The Pilots had eight fumbles, losing possession six times, and were trailing in the fourth quarter. Tailback Todd Coulfield scored on an eight-yard run to win, but it was teammate Damon Culver who carried the offensive load with 172 yards on 21 carries. Quarterback Eddie Kapu passed only four times and completed one pass for 29 yards. Offensive tackle Mark Tucker and linebacker Earl Saunders are returning All-City selections.

Key to the game--Edison did not appear to be intimidated for the first time in the series, losing 10-9 last year. Banning has generally dominated play, but Edison outplayed the Pilots last season. Banning can’t afford to fumble eight times and expect to beat Edison, and the Pilots’ passing game must come to life.

Consensus--Banning has too much talent, and Workman will have to wait another week for his 100th win.