By Matthew Nguyen, Staff Writer
On Friday, the Barons lost their homecoming game 0-69, in a devastating defeat defined by an inefficient offense and faulty defense.
Thinks leaked bleak from the very first play for Fountain Valley. A short kickoff primed their returner for an excellent return. The Griffins’ return man slipped past the first two defenders with ease as he accelerated behind his blocks and through the Barons coverage team. 90 yards later, and the score rested at 0-7 Los Alamitos.
This unknowingly unleashed an ensuing onslaught of unprecedented scoring by the Griffins. Fountain Valley quickly found themselves down 0-27 before an ill-advised pass by junior quarterback Josh Stupin, was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by the Griffins’ defense to end the first quarter.
The second quarter started off on a better note for the Barons. With the ball on their 25 yard-line, Stupin dumped the ball off to senior Kishaun Sykes on a quick bubble screen. With a quick cut to the inside, Sykes burst through the middle of the defense to Los Alamitos 15 yard-line for Fountain Valley’s biggest play of the game.
Senior running back/wide receiver Brandon Krause took a pitch to the outside and attempted to pass the ball into the middle of the field.The ball was picked off by a lurking Los Alamitos safety, who returned the ball 100 yards for another Griffin’s touchdown. The Barons would never be able to recover, finishing the quarter 0-62.
The second half started slow, with neither team being able to move the ball with any efficiency. Another bad interception by Stupen would lead to a quick Los Alamitos touchdown to close out the third quarter with a score of 0-69.
With very little hopes of winning theme, the barons lacked energy heading into the fourth. Both offenses stalled, with neither team looking like they wanted to get into the end zone within the final quarter. A forced fumble and recovery by senior defensive lineman Jackson Weddle would set up the Barons for their best opportunity to score since the second half. Unfortunately, they were not able to capitalize on their terrific field position and would lose the game with a score of 0-69.
