ORANGE COUNTY / PREP FOOTBALL : Barons Beat Dana Hills by a Bobble : Football: Fountain Valley wins, 7-6, when defense holds off Dolphins’ final-minute rally sparked by reserve quarterback.

It was a fitting way to end a sloppily played game.

Dana Hills kicker Taylor Kunzi lined up for a 39-yard field goal attempt with 29 seconds left to play, but the snap was too low for holder Joe Murray to handle.

Kunzi picked up the ball and ran three yards before the Fountain Valley defense stopped him, preserving a 7-6 nonleague victory for the Barons in a season-opener Friday night at Huntington Beach High.

The teams combined for six turnovers, including a fumble by Fountain Valley running back Nedal Abdul-Muti near midfield with 1:57 left to play.

Billy Ewing recovered for Dana Hills, which drove 24 yards in six plays to set up the last-minute field-goal attempt.

The Dolphins had scored on their previous possession, a 10-play, 77-yard drive triggered by backup quarterback Joe Murray, who relieved starter Mike Bergey when the drive began. Murray capped the march with a 10-yard touchdown run around the right side.

Dolphin Coach Scott Orloff opted to try and take the lead, but Michael Kotler and Steven Fifita led a host of Barons who stuffed Dana Hills running back Kyle Kelly on the two-point conversion attempt.

Manuel Diaz recovered the ensuing onside kick for Fountain Valley.

“We are counting on our running game and our defense this year,” said Fountain Valley Coach Eric Johnson, who got his first victory as a head coach. “We didn’t get the shutout, but we’ll take the six.”

Abdul-Muti, who rushed for 132 yards in 21 carries, scored Fountain Valley’s touchdown when he took a pitch to the right side, cut back toward the left sideline, delivered a straight arm and raced 27 yards up the sideline for a touchdown with 1:52 remaining in the third quarter.

The Barons had a chance to take a 10-point advantage early in the fourth quarter, but a high snap thwarted a 19-yard field goal attempt.

Fountain Valley’s defense held tough, giving up only 150 yards and holding the Dolphins to 11 first downs.

Murray completed four of six passes for 59 yards and rushed for 19 yards after taking over with 7:16 left to play.

Fifita balanced the Baron running attack, rushing for 99 yards in 13 carries. John Diulio and Casey Clark split time at quarterback for Fountain Valley, which ran only five pass plays--none in the second half.