Hartley Does It Again in Fountain Valley Victory

Fountain Valley High kicker James Hartley was ready to leap into his teammates’ arms after kicking what appeared to be the game-winning field goal, except for one thing:

The three points didn’t count.

The Barons were called for illegal procedure, so Hartley had to back up five yards and try again.

Undeterred, Hartley made the 31-yard attempt with 41 seconds left to lift Fountain Valley past San Clemente, 27-24, Saturday afternoon at Huntington Beach High.

“I knew I was going to make it again, so I was fine,” Hartley said.

San Clemente had one final chance after moving the ball to the Fountain Valley 37-yard line with two seconds left on a 25-yard completion from quarterback Beau Budde to Mike Pearson, but Budde’s desperation pass fell incomplete inside the 5.

“I’m just happy we came out with a victory because it was in doubt the whole game,” Baron Coach Eric Johnson said.

Fountain Valley (2-0), ranked No. 22 in the Southland by The Times, trailed, 21-17, after Budde found receiver Chris Miller along the sideline for a 42-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The Barons regained the lead on their next drive when quarterback Casey Clark lofted a perfectly placed pass to Joey Flores near the goal line. Flores caught it for a 31-yard touchdown play to give Fountain Valley a 24-21 lead.

San Clemente (1-2) pulled even on Miller’s 47-yard field goal with 2:41 remaining.

Miller led San Clemente with six receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns.

Flores had six receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. He also intercepted a Budde pass on San Clemente’s first series and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown.

The game was originally scheduled for Friday but was moved back a day by the Orange County Department of Education after President Bush declared Friday a national day of prayer and remembrance in response to Tuesday’s terrorist attacks.