Fitzgerald Back in Position to Lead Valley to Victory in Opener : Junior college football: In return to role as quarterback, he throws for two scores, runs for another as Monarchs defeat Antelope Valley, 28-23.

For someone who hadn’t played quarterback in more than a year, Sean Fitzgerald looked anything but rusty Saturday night.

Fitzgerald completed 18 of 24 passes for 196 yards to lead Valley College to a 28-23 nonconference victory over visiting Antelope Valley in the opener for both teams.

The 6-foot-5 transfer from Idaho State, a free safety last season, threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. He was 11 of 12 for 121 yards in the first half.

“If everyone does everything right, it makes it work,” said Fitzgerald, from Agoura High. “The receivers and the line were the big key.”

Both teams cooled off in the second half after a blazing first half in which Valley built a 21-17 lead.

Fitzgerald scored on a 12-yard run in the third quarter and Rodney Flakes scored in the fourth quarter for Antelope Valley on a 28-yard pass from quarterback Todd Fink for the only points of the half.

The Marauders threatened late in the fourth quarter but with 2 minutes 14 seconds to play defensive back Tim Milton intercepted a pass by Fink (14 of 27 for 150 yards, two interceptions) at the Monarch 40-yard line to preserve the victory.

The Marauders marched 70 yards on their first possession to open the scoring.

Running back David McCovy scored from four yards on a reverse with 7:17 left in the first quarter to give Antelope Valley a 7-0 lead. Key plays in the drive were completions of 16 and 23 yards from Fink to slotback Idanre Anderson and a 16-yard pass from Fink to wide receiver Jeffrey Del Salto.

Valley evened the score on the ensuing possession when Fitzgerald connected with wide receiver Brian Comer on a 36-yard pass play with 3:10 to play in the quarter.

The Monarchs struck again in the first series of the second quarter on a 12-yard run by Irving Carter, who used some fancy footwork around right end to get into the end zone. Carter finished the game with 132 yards in 17 carries.

Anderson got the Marauders even, 14-14, on a six-yard reverse with 6:14 left in the half, but Valley answered with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Fitzgerald to Vince Lampkin with 1:44 to play. Lampkin led all receivers with nine receptions for 103 yards.

After Fitzgerald fumbled at the Monarch 28 with 36 seconds left in the half, Russell Gordon kicked a 30-yard field goal to cut Valley’s lead to 21-17.