Prep Football : Barons Go Far and Wide for 21-7 Victory

Even when his accuracy is a bit off, Fountain Valley High School quarterback David Henigan knows he has a good chance of completing a pass. That’s because he has wide receivers capable of making a catch above, around and between defenders.

Friday night at Sheue Field, split ends Mike Cook and Doug Weaver turned several of Henigan’s potential incomplete passes into big plays and led the Barons to a 21-7 victory over visiting El Modena.

The victory improved Fountain Valley’s record to 3-1 while dropping El Modena to 0-4.

Cook, a 6-4 senior, had 3 receptions for 59 yards and 2 impressive touchdowns. In the first quarter, Cook outleaped Vanguard defensive back Mike Vermillion in the end zone to come down with a 30-yard scoring pass.

The Henigan-Cook combination was good for Fountain Valley’s second touchdown early in the fourth quarter, when Cook made a twisting grab of an 18-yard throw just inside the goal line.

While Weaver didn’t score with any of his receptions, his 3 catches for 65 yards were just as difficult. The junior’s routes took him across the middle of the El Modena secondary, but Weaver made the plays despite the hard hits he received.

“Weaver and Cook will catch the ball in the crowd,” Mike Milner, Fountain Valley coach, said. “They’ve made acrobatic catches in every game. They’re two good receivers.”

The Vanguards had to play without starting quarterback Marcus Esposito, who suffered a sprained ankle last week against Warren. However, sophomore Adam Garcia filled in admirably, rushing for 60 yards and passing for 89 without an interception.

“He’s quick. We had a hard time finding him,” Milner said.

Not to be outdone by a sophomore replacement, Henigan completed 11 of 22 for 178 yards and the 2 touchdowns to Cook.