ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREP EXTRA : Fountain Valley’s Defense Takes Care of Servite, 33-14

FULLERTON —  Fountain Valley Coach George Berg had only one way to describe the Barons’ 33-14 victory over sixth-ranked Servite at Cal State Fullerton Friday.

“That was a pretty ugly win,” Berg said.

Sure, unranked Fountain Valley (3-1) had its moments in a nonleague football victory over Servite (2-2), ranked sixth in Orange County and No. 1 in Division V.

Baron quarterback Mitch Ryerson completed 12 of 25 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns and wide receiver Kevin McCluskey caught two scoring passes.

Defensively, Fountain Valley held Servite scoreless in the second half, allowing only 46 yards and one first down after halftime. And they did it all without starting defensive tackle Jeff Rusch, who left the game in the first quarter with an injured left hand. He did not return.

“It’s probably fractured,” Fountain Valley athletic trainer Sean Higgs said. “He’ll get X-rayed tonight.”

The Barons’ offense didn’t make it easy for the defense, fumbling five times and losing four. Officials flagged Fountain Valley 10 times for 68 yards and Servite 12 times for 92 yards.

Fountain Valley wide receiver Joey Vazquez, who caught five passes for 86 yards and a touchdown, had a 60-yard touchdown reception and 40-yard reception called back because of penalties.

And Robert Alvarez, who entered the game with 354 yards rushing, struggled. He gained 51 yards in 11 carries, but fumbled three times and muffed one punt.

Still, Fountain Valley had enough to prevail.

Servite appeared in control early with sophomore running back Vince Reed, who finished with 71 yards in 17 carries, pounding away.

The Friars took a 7-0 lead after Michael Garko scored on a 12-yard run with 2 minutes 22 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Fountain Valley’s third lost fumble gave the Friars the ball at the Baron 33, and Servite took a 14-0 lead after quarterback Greg Cicero completed a five-yard touchdown pass to Chris Bystedt with 2:36 remaining in the second quarter.

But Fountain Valley answered with a 60-yard scoring drive capped by Yamile Fernandez’ two-yard touchdown run with 46 seconds remaining.

Midway through the third quarter, Fountain Valley closed to within 14-13 on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Ryerson to McCluskey.

Early in the fourth quarter, Fountain Valley took the lead for good when Nick Kumpis caught a lateral from Ryerson, then pulled up and tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open McCluskey to make it 19-14.