By Andrew Georgy
The Fountain Valley High School Barons (1-9, 0-5 league) varsity football team faltered against the Aliso Niguel High School Wolverines (7-3, 3-2 league) at home in the Barons’ final game of the season. In a tight match that saw great offensive and defensive plays from both teams, the Barons lost 24-26.
Senior Lucas Alexander and junior Cameron Farr contributed to rushing plays, while junior Timmy Nguyen and junior Munir Beshir’s tackles were crucial as the Barons held on to the game. Senior Charles Grover also chipped in with the Barons’ last touchdown.
“They battled the whole way. [The team] were met with a challenge, they responded and we ran out of time at the wrong moment,” head coach David Gutierrez said.
The Barons kicked off the game strong and maintained their positioning at the beginning of the quarter as the Wolverines struggled to find a weak link. With the Wolverines’ next possession of the ball, they charged through an opening, and a 20-yard run awarded them six points. An excellent kick extended their lead over the Barons to 0-7.
Although the Barons’ fair catch at the 30-yard line and a run by Farr positioned them five yards away from another first down, the Wolverines intercepted a low pass at 7:08 from the 29-yard line and broke away to score their second touchdown. The Wolverines attempted to make a conversion, but junior Munir Beshir’s block prevented the Wolverines from scoring an extra point, holding the score at 0-13.
Senior Charles Grover and Farr’s runs, along with a pass to senior Nicholas Southern, progressed the Baron attack. Still, the Wolverines held their ground outside the endzone for four downs before regaining possession.
The Barons averted Aliso Niguel from gaining more than 16 yards, but the electric Wolverines almost capitalized on a gap through the Barons’ defense; a 10-yard penalty halted Aliso Niguel’s progress, forcing them to punt.
The Wolverines’ offense slowed down, and the Barons’ offense picked up the pace. A sack on Aliso Niguel’s quarterback and a fumbled ball permitted the Barons to recapture possession. The Barons showed off a lively attacking display, but a ticking clock forced them into a field goal, bringing the score 3-13 before the second half.
During halftime, seniors in football, Pep Squad and band were recognized for their four-year effort; an announcer called on their favorite memories, future goals and their most-liked teachers.
A kickoff to the Wolverine’s 30-yard line began the third quarter, and Aliso Niguel came in hot as they gained 25 yards from explosive runs despite tackles from senior Luke Taylor and junior Jack Chavez.
The Barons’ defensive line proved difficult to penetrate, causing a standstill for four plays. As a result, the Wolverines punted to the Barons’ 25-yard line.
Grover followed up a 10-yard run with an exceptional 39-yard caught pass from Alexander and senior Brady Tomko also contributed with a 26-yard rush. A rush from Alexander sealed the play after he rammed through the Wolverines’ defense to score a touchdown, closing the gap to 10-13.
Mini-passes and unsuccessful rushes held back the Wolverines. Junior Timmy Nguyen sacked their quarterback to force another punt. However, the Barons couldn’t capitalize on their advantage as Aliso Niguel’s defense held together.
With the next possession, the Wolverines receiver rushed through their defense to score Aliso Niguel’s third touchdown; they extended their lead 10-20.
Senior Dylan Warner’s 11-yard rush granted the Barons momentum, Farr added a seven-yard run and sophomore Dillon Jr. caught a nine-yard pass. Grover shone again after he snatched a pass by Alexander near the endzone. Grover would seize another opportunity to put the Barons just two yards behind the endzone.
Four downs passed, and the Barons took advantage of a gaping hole in the Wolverines defense for Taylor to score their second touchdown. A successful point conversion by Chavez, the Barons were trailing close behind with a score of 17-20.
The Barons almost conceded another touchdown when the Wolverines pushed them back to their thirty-yard line, with Nguyen’s tackle crucial to allow the Barons to repossess the ball.
Taylor and Alexander gained 75 yards after pairing up for three plays, with Grover finishing the Wolverines off as he scored the Barons’ last touchdown with 1:20 seconds left of the fourth quarter to reclaim a lead of 24-20.
Despite the game seeming over, Beshir and Tomko’s tackles weren’t enough to stop Aliso Niguel’s receivers. With 21 seconds left, they scored the game’s final touchdown, piercing through the Barons’ defense and regaining their lead with a meager two points.
Grover’s 30-yard return and junior Austin Wallace’s 35-yard rush weren’t enough to equalize as the Barons ran out of time at the last stage of the game. The game concluded with a final score of 24-26.
“We don’t stop, so we’re in the weight room next week,” Gutierrez said when asked about improvements for next season. “There’s nothing really that we do differently outside of just trying to be consistent and trying to keep these boys consistent.”
