It’s Not Pretty, but Marina Beats Fountain Valley

HUNTINGTON BEACH — Start the bonfire now. Marina’s 14-7 victory over Fountain Valley is one game film that will never make the Sunset League archives.

There have been countless well-played football games in the league’s storied history, but Thursday night’s debacle in front of 1,500 cranky fans at Huntington Beach High was not one of them.

A busted play that probably shouldn’t have counted, and a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown helped Marina (2-2, 1-0 in league play) stave off a disorganized Fountain Valley team. The Barons (0-3-1, 0-1) lost despite limiting Marina to one first down and 58 yards of offense in the first half.

No matter how it looked, Marina Coach Dave Thompson will gladly take a victory over Fountain Valley.

“It’s nice to win,” he said. “Fountain Valley really played great defense. They shut us down on our inside running. It’ll be interesting to see what the film looks like.”

When Thompson watches it, he’ll see 48 minutes worth of mistakes. The gaffe of the night might have been the officials’ fault.

This was the situation:

With the score tied, 7-7, Marina had a first down at the Fountain Valley 26-yard line. Marina quarterback Chris Della Croce missed a handoff and took off running toward the left sideline. Spotting David Anderson standing alone near the 10, Della Croce lofted a high pass, which Anderson caught at the six.

Whether Marina’s linemen were illegally downfield by that time was open to debate. Those standing on Fountain Valley’s sideline said yes; the officials said no.

Mike Darling’s six-yard touchdown run around left end on the next played proved to be the game-winner with 6 minutes left.

“I don’t know about that busted play,” Thompson said. “I’d be pretty upset if I were with Fountain Valley.”

Marina took a 7-0 first quarter lead after Robert Fiesler intercepted a pass by Ryan Bertoni and ran 73 yards untouched for a touchdown. Bertoni, who overcame a ragged start to complete 12 of 28 passes for 134 yards and three interceptions, scored Fountain Valley’s only touchdown on a one-yard sneak with 2:22 left in the half.