ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREP EXTRA : Fountain Valley Impressive in 42-21 Victory Over L.B. Jordan

Fountain Valley rolled up nearly 500 yards of offense and scored on its final four possessions to post a convincing 42-21 victory over Long Beach Jordan in a nonleague game Friday at Huntington Beach High.

The Barons (2-1) displayed a balanced attack, complete with sustained drives and big plays.

Running back Robert Alvarez ran around and through would-be tacklers for 185 yards in 22 carries.

When Jordan (1-2) tried to stuff the run, Fountain Valley quarterback Mitch Ryerson made the big plays, completing 12 of 27 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns, including a 64-yard scoring pass to Joey Vazquez.

Vazquez, who caught four passes for 112 yards, made the touchdown catch with 1 minute 7 seconds remaining in the third quarter and broke a 21-21 tie. The Barons closed out the game with four unanswered touchdowns.

“We talk about improving every week,” Fountain Valley Coach George Berg said. “We got into some tight spots but the kids responded. It was encouraging to see us play a game like this.”

Fountain Valley led at halftime, 14-7, but Jordan came out strong to start the second half.

The Panthers took the second-half kickoff and marched 75 yards in nine plays, capped by a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Ortege Jenkins.

Jordan went for the two-point conversion, but Jenkins bobbled the ball trying to pitch the ball on an option play and Fountain Valley held a 14-13 lead.

Fountain Valley’s offense went three downs and out on its next series and Jordan took its only lead of the game on Nathan Hanson’s punt. Chris Covington caught the punt at the Jordan 25 and weaved his way through a sea of blue shirts for a 75-yard touchdown return.

Jenkins scored on a keeper for the two-point conversion and Jordan led, 21-14, with 6:14 remaining in the third quarter.

Fountain Valley answered on its next play from scrimmage when Ryerson hooked up with Levi Vagana for a 62-yard pass play. Vagana also caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Ryerson in the first quarter.

After Vagana’s 62-yard reception moved the ball to the Jordan two, Yamile Fernandez barreled into the end zone and Hanson’s conversion evened the score, 21-21. Then the defense held, and Vazquez put the Barons ahead for good.