SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

No. 14 Esperanza 28, No. 18 Fountain Valley 28--Esperanza running back Shaun Wildenstein scored on a seven-yard touchdown reception with 1:25 remaining, helping to offset two fourth-quarter fumbles that allowed Fountain Valley to creep back into the Sunset League game at Huntington Beach High.

Wildenstein’s first fumble ended an Esperanza drive deep in Fountain Valley territory and his second fumble, less than three minutes later, was picked up by Miles Banford and returned 35 yards for a touchdown, tying the score, 21-21, with 7:31 remaining.

Fountain Valley (5-1-1, 0-1-1) followed with a short kickoff that bounced through the hands of several Esperanza players before it was recovered by Fountain Valley’s Toma Faalafua at the Aztec 25. Three plays later, Robby Rossy scored on a 28-yard screen pass from Casey Clark, giving Fountain Valley a 28-21 lead with 6:26 remaining.

The Aztecs (4-2-1, 1-0-1) took advantage of their final drive, moving the ball 65 yards in 10 plays for the tying score. The tie ended Fountain Valley’s four-game losing streak against Esperanza.

Esperanza took a 6-0 lead on its first possession. The Aztecs went 80 yards in five plays, the biggest a 66-yard pass from Adam Hill to Ben Alvarado, which set up Wildenstein’s 11-yard touchdown run.