Barons Not Neighborly to Los Amigos

HUNTINGTON BEACH —  Fountain Valley’s high schools met in football for the first time Friday night, Division I Fountain Valley against Division VIII Los Amigos.

The Lobos showed the Barons that the difference between the divisions might not be as great as some think, battling to recover from an early two-touchdown deficit but eventually falling, 31-17, to Fountain Valley at Huntington Beach High.

Both squads had significant holes to fill because of graduation, and Fountain Valley senior quarterback Mike Lamar made the first impact. In his first career start, Lamar completed all eight of his first-quarter passes, helping the Barons build a two-touchdown lead. Lamar connected with Aaron Carter on a 30-yard scoring play on the game’s opening drive, then keyed a 70-yard drive after an interception that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run by Andrew Medley. Lamar finished with 232 yards on 13-of-21 passing.

Los Amigos had four turnovers. Their two first-half turnovers led to Baron touchdowns, and two fourth-quarter fumbles, one at midfield and the other deep in Fountain Valley territory, ended Lobo scoring threats.

“I’m proud of our kids,” Los Amigos Coach Roger Takahashi said. “I don’t think they were intimidated by the fact that we were playing a Division I team. Fountain Valley did a good job exploiting what they thought our weaknesses were going to be.”

The Lobos had some impressive performances as they piled up 348 yards, 50 fewer than Fountain Valley. Los Amigos fullback Shaun Tagatauli rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown. Orange Lutheran transfer Najja Kee picked up 70 yards in his first game at Los Amigos.