Missed Kick Leaves Huntington Beach on Top

A missed extra point with 5:57 to play was the difference as Huntington Beach defeated Fountain Valley, 14-13, Friday night in a Sunset League game at Orange Coast College.

Fountain Valley’s Ryan Bertoni connected with wide receiver Bryan Gail for an 18-yard touchdown, pulling Fountain Valley (1-5-1, 1-3 in league) within a point. But Bertoni’s kick sailed wide right to leave the Barons a point behind.

Huntington Beach (5-3, 4-1) also missed an extra point following a 29-yard Travis Anderson touchdown run on the final play of the first quarter, but they were able to make up for it in the third. Oiler quarterback Jack Friend scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak, then got the two-point conversion on a quarterback keeper.

Oiler Coach George Pascoe was far from pleased with his team’s performance, particularly six second-half penalties for 60 yards.

“We shot ourselves in the foot,” Pascoe said. “You can’t win football games like that. We were very fortunate. They miss a kick, we win.”

A fierce Oiler pass rush sacked Bertoni seven times, including three by defensive end Steve Venne.