Sanders Runs Wild in 55-0 Rout

Fountain Valley’s John Sanders knocked off early from work Friday night but not before rushing for five touchdowns and returning the opening kickoff for another score as the Barons rolled over Westminster, 55-0, in a nonleague game at Huntington Beach High.

Actually, Sanders reached the end zone eight times but twice had touchdowns called back during an evening-long parade of penalties on the Barons.

Fountain Valley had an odd first quarter to say the least.

The Barons (2-0) scored four touchdowns and a safety but were also called for nine penalties for 90 yards and the quarter lasted nearly 50 minutes.

Two of those infractions (holding and clipping) took away touchdowns from Sanders on the same drive.

But he capped the drive with a 21-yard run up the middle that put Fountain Valley ahead, 27-0.

“I really couldn’t get mad about it,” Sanders said. “I was kind of used to it.”

Sanders finished with 119 yards in 10 carries including scoring runs of 35, 21, 15 and twice from four yards. His final touchdown run came from 15 yards out and with 9:43 left in the third quarter. It was also his last carry of the game.

Westminster (1-1) won the toss but elected to kick off and Sanders quickly made it into a bad decision.

He took the kick at the 22 and picked his way to about midfield then sprinted away in the open field.

“Basically,” Sanders said, “our coaches set it up. They knew exactly what to do to get me the ball.”

Not that Fountain Valley needed help, but Westminster provided plenty, especially while trying to punt.

The Lions had two punts blocked (both by defensive back Doug Foster) and also fumbled another snap for a turnover. But Westminster punter Nathan Coelho also ran for a pair of first downs from punt formation and was the team’s leading rusher with 29 yards.

Part of Westminster’s ground struggles came about because tailback Erick Arthur hurt his leg early on. He finished with five yards in three tries after going for 212 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-14 victory over La Quinta in the opening week.