Barons Set Tone Early in Victory

Showing no signs of opening-game jitters, Fountain Valley running back Chuck Harcar took a handoff on the first play from scrimmage and swept around left end 75 yards for a touchdown to set the tone for the Barons’ 42-22 victory over Dana Hills.

Fountain Valley running back Jeremy Nicholson rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries and quarterback Scott Bertoni completed 11 of 21 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Barons in a nonleague football game Thursday at Westminster High.

Adam O’Rourke, who had two sacks, led an impressive defensive unit that sacked Dana Hills quarterback Scott Covington six times while holding the Dolphins to minus-11 yards rushing in the first half. The Barons also intercepted three passes.

“We didn’t give Covington much time to show what he can do,” Fountain Valley Coach George Berg said. “We executed well for a first game. I just hope it doesn’t go to the kids’ heads because we have a long way to go.”

The Barons scored 21 points in the first quarter. After Harcar’s touchdown run, Fountain Valley got the ball back with 9 minutes 25 seconds remaining in the quarter and Bertoni drove the Barons 58 yards in 10 plays. Nicholson’s seven-yard touchdown run culminated the drive.

Harcar intercepted a Covington pass with 2 1/2 minutes remaining in the quarter, setting up a four-play, 55-yard scoring drive highlighted by a 20-yard completion from Bertoni to tight end Brandon Leimbach and a 14-yard touchdown run by Jon Fujii.

Dana Hills broke through on its first possession of the second half. On fourth and one from the Dana Hills 39, running back Jason Smith broke Harcar’s tackle in the backfield, then sprinted 61 yards up the left sideline for a touchdown.

Eric Knip’s conversion closed the gap to 21-7, before wide receiver Jamal Hills led Fountain Valley’s response.

Bertoni drove the Barons 74 yards in five plays, connecting with Hills on a 33-yard touchdown pass with 5:31 remaining in the third quarter.

After a poor punt on Dana Hills’ next possession, Bertoni drove Fountain Valley 34 yards in seven plays for a touchdown. On third and 10, Bertoni rolled left and passed to Hills for an 11-yard score and a 35-7 lead.

Hills caught five passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

Covington scored on a 21-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter, then Smith scored on a 59-yard run with 40 seconds remaining for Dana Hills.

Smith finished with 135 yards rushing and two touchdowns on seven carries. Covington completed 11 of 21 passes for 123 yards, and Mike Whittaker caught six passes for 77 yards.

The Barons finished with 243 yards rushing.