Fountain Valley Holds Off Marina to Stay in Playoff Hunt

HUNTINGTON BEACH —  Fountain Valley’s football team, defending Southern Section champions, is scrambling but still in the chase for a playoff spot this season.

The Barons held off Marina, 21-18, in front of 3,000 homecoming fans at Huntington Beach High School to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Fountain Valley, 4-5 overall, remained in fourth place in the Sunset League a 2-2, a game behind Huntington Beach (3-1). The teams will meet next Thursday to decide which one will advance to the playoffs.

The Barons had to rally against Marina (2-7, 0-4), then hold off a Vikings’ comeback.

Marina’s blitzing pass rush kept Fountain Valley’s offense off balance in the first half, sacking quarterback Willy Puga five times, as the Vikings took a 10-7 halftime lead.

But in the second half, the Barons adjusted to the blitz with long snap counts designed to draw the Vikings offsides. On two separate occasions, Marina was called for offsides when the Barons had the ball on the Vikings’ 10-yard line, setting up a Fountain Valley touchdown each time.