Barons May Ride Off Into Sunset Sooner Than Expected : Westminster Rallies to Defeat Fountain Valley

The offense Westminster High School had been searching for resurfaced Friday night. For Fountain Valley, the search continues, with time quite clearly running out.

Westminster went six quarters without scoring before managing two, second-half touchdowns Friday night for a 13-7, come-from behind win over Fountain Valley in front of an estimated 3,500 spectators in Westminster Stadium.

The win moves Westminster (2-1, 4-3) a giant step closer to its first appearence in the CIF Southern Section playoffs since 1976. The Lions meet Marina next Friday in a game that could decide the Sunset League championship.

Fountain Valley will be playing Edison that night in Anaheim Stadium. Big deal.

The Barons (1-2, 3-5) may have played their last “must game” of 1985. The loss to Westminster puts them in danger of being left out of the playoffs for the first time since 1974 and means that there will be no league title at stake when they renew their rivalry with Edison.

Said a dejected Fountain Valley Coach Mike Milner: “This doesn’t really do much for our future.”

Milner watched his defense hold Westminster to 38 yards in total offense in the first half, then collapse moments after the Westminster band cleared the field at the end of intermission. On Westminster’s first play from scrimmage, quarterback Steve Gulley completed a 26-yard pass play to Robert Martinez. Gulley had completions of 6 yards to Dave Shelley and 17 to Jon Ostler before scoring on a quarterback draw from 17 yards out. Todd Weaver’s conversion kick tied it at 7-7 at the 9:55 mark of the third quarter.

Westminster got its winning touchdown from a defensive tackle who was converted to a tight end two weeks ago. Pete Gill, who was moved to the tight end spot after Jack Evans was injured in the Lions’ 24-14 upset of Edison, made a diving, juggling catch in the corner of the end zone with 5:21 to play to provide the margin of victory.

Dean Kontoes partially blocked a Fountain Valley punt, giving Westminster the ball at its 34-yard line with 8:38 remaining. On first down, Gulley connected with Ostler for an 18-yard pass play. Two plays later, he scrambled away from a heavy pass rush and found Ostler open for a 13-yard gain. A 12-yard completion from Gulley to running back Dave Shelley put the ball on the Baron 14, and Gulley lofted the ball to Gill in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown two plays later.

The Barons’ last gasp ended when they were penalized for delay of game on fourth down and forced to punt. Fountain Valley was penalized 12 times for 95 yards.