Southern Section Football Playoffs : DIVISION I : Henigan Comes Back Strong to Lift Fountain Valley, 10-0

David Henigan threw 2 interceptions and completed only 4 of 10 passes for 67 yards in the first-half against Rubidoux High School, but the Fountain Valley quarterback came through in the second half to lead the Barons to a 10-0 victory in a Southern Section Division I quarterfinal game.

The Barons also came out on top, 29-7, last year in a first-round playoff game against Rubidoux.

Before 6,200 fans at Orange Coast College Friday night, Henigan, the Southern Section’s leading passer during the regular season with 2,302 yards, completed 3 of 5 passes for 88 yards and 1 touchdown in the second half.

“I was a little nervous,” Henigan said of his slow start. “But that didn’t have anything to do with it. Our receivers slipped and their defense, they played real well. They were dropping a lot of guys back, taking away our out routes and short routes and making it tough to go over the middle, but we came through when we needed to.”

While Henigan’s receivers were slip-sliding away on the muddy field, Rubidoux’s defense, led by tackle Joe Powell, was busy pressuring Henigan.

Henigan was picked off by Rubidoux’s Jonas Walker at the Baron 32 at the close of the first quarter, but the Falcons were unable to capitalize on the turnover.

On the next Fountain Valley series, Henigan was intercepted again, this time by La Salle Hughey. Rubidoux moved from its 44 to the Baron 39 but lost the ball on a fumble.

Fountain Valley’s Eric Sassenberg recovered at his 42. Four plays later, Henigan threw 36 yards to Mike Cook to move the Barons to the Rubidoux 9. On third and goal on the 2, Fountain Valley tailback Kedric Powe (78 yards in 18 carries) was stacked up at the line of scrimmage by Kerry Byrd. The Barons settled for an 18-yard Derek Mahoney field goal for the only score of the half.

The Rubidoux defense gave the Barons trouble all night. At the start of the second half, Rick Mock returned a punt 39 yards to the Rubidoux 33. Henigan completed a 25-yard pass to Doug Weaver to the 8, but the Barons couldn’t score. With third and goal on the 5, Henigan was sacked by Joe Powell for a 7-yard loss. The Barons came away scoreless after Mahoney’s 29 yard field goal attempt went wide left.

Rubidoux’s predictable hand-the-ball-to-Willie-Redmond offense had trouble sustaining drives. Redmond had 124 yards in 29 carries. Quarterback Armando Muniz was 5 of 15 for 32 yards. In their longest drive, the Falcons advanced the ball from their 20 to the Baron 29 but could not convert on fourth and 2.

Fountain Valley took over and on third and short, Henigan dropped back to pass. He was forced out of the pocket but hit Weaver on the broken play for a 56-yard touchdown with 11:46 remaining in the game to make it 10-0.

“We knew we would probably have trouble blocking them, and the field conditions weren’t exactly primo,” Fountain Valley Coach Mike Milner said. “We had a little trouble throwing the ball, but (Henigan) proved what kind of player he was, throwing for the big play.”

Weaver caught 4 passes for 91 yards and 1 touchdown, and Powe gained 78 yards in 18 carries.

Fountain Valley (10-2) advances to the semifinals next week against Servite (10-2), a 41-21 winner over Crespi (6-5). Rubidoux ends the season at 9-3.