Fountain Valley Celebrates Its Second Victory

As the final seconds ticked off the scoreboard clock Thursday, Fountain Valley Coach George Berg took the traditional ice water bath along the sideline.

Never mind the chilly weather, there was good reason to celebrate; Fountain Valley had won its second football game of the season.

What the Barons’ 21-7 Sunset League victory over Ocean View lacked in standout play, it made up for in determination. No one on the field at Huntington Beach High wanted to lose the final game of the year.

Asked later if the victory was hollow because it simply meant avoiding last place, Berg was incredulous. Thursday’s victory meant a great deal, particularly to the Barons’ seniors.

“We were fortunate enough tonight to walk away winners,” he said.

The only other victory for Fountain Valley (2-6-1, 2-4 in league) was a 14-3 decision over Westminster. Ocean View (1-9, 0-6) won the first week of the season, beating Saddleback, 13-7.

Two touchdown passes by Fountain Valley quarterback Ryan Bertoni in the second half and a suffocating defense were enough to defeat Ocean View.

Despite only 27 yards of offense, Fountain Valley was even with Ocean View, 7-7, at halftime. An interception by Chris Both at the Ocean View 32-yard line set up Fountain Valley’s first touchdown--a three-yard run by running back Rocky Gubernick.

Ocean View came right back with a 69-yard drive, capped by a four-yard scoring run by Mike Coerper with 5 minutes 27 seconds left in the half.

In the second half, Bertoni threw four-yard scoring passes to Mike Gillis and B.J. Crabtree, and Fountain Valley’s defense held firm.

Bertoni completed only seven of 16 passes for 82 yards, throwing into a stiff breeze for much of the game. But Bertoni fared better than Ocean View quarterback Albert Fanoga, who completed three of 16 for 24 yards. Fanoga, who also ran for a game-high 96 yards, had a 61-yard touchdown pass play called back by a holding penalty.

His next pass was intercepted by Booth.