Trabuco Hills Gets Defensive

Missed field goals--four of ‘em--were the story early on as Trabuco Hills and Fountain Valley met in a nonleague football game Friday.

But the Trabuco Hills’ defense took over in the second half and the Mustangs won, 13-0, over the eighth-ranked Barons at Westminster High.

The defensive charge was led by inside linebacker Eric Rapley, who had two key tackles for losses, caused and recovered a fumble and deflected a pass that was intercepted.

“When we play excited,” Rapley said, “we always play well. I could tell right away we were excited.”

Rapley had a sack for an eight-yard loss, then made a stop for another minus-five yards, both in the second quarter.

Late in the third quarter, Rapley tipped a pass that was intercepted by teammate Chris Cordova, who returned it five yards to the Fountain Valley 34.

Seven plays later, Trabuco Hills scored the game’s only touchdown on a 21-yard pass from quarterback John Baggerly to wide receiver J.T. Ayers.

The score put Trabuco Hills ahead, 10-0, with 11 minutes 53 seconds left to play.

Rapley’s next feat was to strip the ball and recovered it at the Fountain Valley 44 with 9:50 left.

Trabuco Hills reached the 15 before Jay Arnston kicked a 32-yard field goal to put the Mustangs ahead, 13-0, with 5:49 left.

Trabuco Hills also got big plays from linebacker Mike Collins, defensive back Cordova and defensive lineman Ben Waters. Each had a tackle for a loss. Trevor Heaney added an interception in the end zone in the final minute.

“I think we had just enough offense to win,” Trabuco Hills Coach Bill Crow said. “We played an outstanding game on defense.”

Fountain Valley was without leading running back Nedal Abdelmuti, who had to sit out the game after being called twice for taunting in a 41-0 victory over Servite.

Abdelmuti had gained 527 yards in the first four games.

But the Barons got 103 yards from fullback Steven Fifta and had three good chances to score in the second quarter.

But kicker Matt Hanson missed field goal attempts of 44, 36, and 37 yards. Each time the kick was long enough but wide to the left.