Fountain Valley 28 - Eagles 27
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA., October 6, 1995 – In what was one of the most exciting games in SM history, the Barons and Eagles combined for 55 points and 638 yards. Fountain Valley struck first and did it quickly. They returned the opening kickoff past the 50 and scored three plays later. The Eagles countered when Chris Collins hit Brett Crowder from 34 yards out to tie the score. The Barons returned the favor right away to go up, 14-7. As the defense settled down in the second quarter, the offense scored twice to go ahead 21-14 at halftime. That lead would be lost quickly, but Matt Baier's interception return for six gave the Eagles a 27-21 edge. Fountain Valley, however, was able to score late in the game to win.
| Fountain Valley | 14 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 27 |
FV – Alvarez 24 run (Hanson kick)
SM – Crowder 32 pass from Collins (Zaist kick)
FV – Stanton 9 run (Hanson kick)
SM – Minna 11 run (Zaist kick)
SM – Nickels 9 pass from Collins (Zaist kick)
FV – Vasquez 2 pass from Ryerson (Hanson kick)
SM – Baier 24 interception return (Kick failed)
FV – Alvaroz 16 run (Hanson kick)
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Rushing: Newman 11-65, Minna 4-13
Passing: Collins 15-32-0-203
Receiving: O'Connor 4-53, Pichler 3-57, Nickels 3-26, Crowder 2-40
Scoring: Crowder 1 TD, Minna 1TD, Pichler 1TD, Zaist 3 PATS
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Tackles: Crowder 6, Berg 5, Nickels 4, Pichler 3
Asst. Tackles: B. Jackson 5, Holstein 3
Interceptions: Baier 1 returned for a TD, Nickels 1
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
Barons slip by Santa Margarita.
A 16yard touchdown by Fountain Valley's Alvarez proves to be the game-winner, 28-27.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA., October 6, 1995 – A game seemingly devoid of defense came down to defensive plays that decided it when Fountain Valley beat Santa Margarita, 28-27, Friday night in a non league game.
With No. 4 Santa Margarita leading, 27-21, with six minutes to play, the Eagles' line deflected a Mitch Ryerson pass that popped in the air to Andrew Holstein. He missed the would be tip-drill interception and Ryerson connected with Joey Vazquez on the next play for 16 yards and a first down. Vazquez, Robert Alvarez and Ian Gruca caught three more passes before Alvarez ran for 16 yards to give the Barons (4-1) a 28-27 lead and the game.
Al Giles ensured victory by recovering a Chris Collins fumble two plays later.
“We made too many mistakes to win the game," Eagles coach Jim Hartigan said. “We had an opportunity to intercept and didn't take advantage. We knew we had to play a perfect game to win. We had a chance to take control and didn't take advantage."
When the Eagles stalled in the third quarter - Collins passing seven consecutive times without a completion --Matt Baier's 24yard interception return broke a 21-21 tie for a 27-21 Santa Margarita lead. Jeff Zaist's kick going wide left them in jeopardy.
No. 9 Fountain Valley was ready.
"I saw we got that fumble recovery and it was our game," Barons coach George Berg said. “Santa Margarita's got a fine football team. I told the players all week it was going to be a barn burner and it kept the people in the stands till the last snap."
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: SM - Newman 12-65; Minna 3-15; FV - Alvaroz 19-114, Stanton 2-13
Passing: SM - Collins 15-32-0-192; FV - Ryerson 20-40-1-240
Receiving: SM - Nickels 5-39; Pichler 2-44; FV - Vazquez 7-81, Puglisi 5-73
By Jaena Thompson
Saturday, October 7, 1995
The Orange County Register - Sports 1
