Fountain Valley Football ’99

When Eric Johnson takes to the football field Friday night, he’ll

be doing so in the role of head coach for the first time in his coaching

career as he takes the Fountain Valley High Barons into battle with the

Dana Hills Dolphins.

For the past 10 years, Johnson served as defensive coordinator at

Mater Dei. During that span, the Monarchs captured four CIF Southern

Section championships, twice were the Major division runner-up, and twice

were named national champions by USA Today.

Mater Dei teams have been known for their balanced offense and

stingy defense and, as Johnson leaves one storied program for another, he

hopes to incorporate both at Fountain Valley, itself the winner of two

Southern Section crowns (1978, ‘88).

In his last year at Mater Dei before behind hired away, Johnson

and the Monarchs began their march to their most recent CIF title by

beating Fountain Valley in the first round, 30-14.

‘You know, coaching the kids is the same no matter where you go,

whether it be a parochial school, or public school,’ Johnson said. ‘What

you hope to do is teach them along the way and help them develop as

players and students. The move (to Fountain Valley) has been a constant

adjustment.’

One adjustment in ’99 comes on defense for Johnson’s, whose

defensive expertise will be needed at Fountain Valley, which lost five

all-Sunset League players from last year’s 7-4 squad. But of the

returnees he does have, all-league defensive end Steven Fifita, lineman

Bernard Fano, and linebacker Brian Dopler are a solid base to build

around.

‘I really feel that one of the strengths on this team is our

defensive line,’ Johnson said. ‘We have some big, talented kids up front

who have both size and speed. Bernard (Fano) is one of the best defensive

linemen I’ve seen. Our line, and our running game, will be our big

strengths.’

The Baron backfield will also boast Fifita, a punishing fullback

who will be complimented by the speed of tailback Nedal Abdel-Muti, the

‘fastest player on our team,’ according to Johnson.

‘The way I see it now, I think that Fifita is one of the best

fullbacks in the county,’ he said. ‘He’s in shape, ready to go...and is

hungry.

‘And as for Nedal, I believe that he has tremendous potential. He

possesses great speed and agility.’

Calling the signals for Fountain Valley is junior Jon Diulio

(himself, like Johnson, a transfer from Mater Dei), who is scheduled to

start at quarterback against Dana Hills.

Another Mater Dei transfer, sophomore Casey Clark, also could see

time at quarterback. Clark also will play free safety and punt.

The stalwart along the offensive line is returning center Sean

Thompson.

Another offensive weapon could be senior kicker Matt Hanson, who

cleared a 52-yard field goal (with plenty of room to spare) during last

Friday’s team scrimmage.

Fountain Valley’s nonleague portion of the schedule features

several key games, most notably with perennial powers Servite and La

Mirada, last year’s Division IX runner-up who made the jump to Division

VI for the ’99 season.

Johnson is familiar with two other nonleague opponents as both

Dana Hills and Trabuco Hills annually battled Mater Dei in South Coast

League play.

‘It’s a challenging schedule,’ he said. ‘, but I feel very

confident with these kids. I really feel that something exciting can

happen with them. They have the talent - it’s just a matter of putting it

all together.’