Locals give AFL all-stars a boost

Having survived a tough season in which they competed against one

another, 13 local football players, representing the Fountain Valley

Black Jaguars, Teal Jaguars, and the Huntington Beach Dolphins, joined

forces Saturday to play for the AFL in the annual Orange County Junior

All-American Football All Conference Game.

The AFL was in the contest until the end, but the NFL squad managed to

pull out an 18-14 victory before 1,500 at Cal State Fullerton.

The NFL jumped out to a 12-0 halftime lead before the AFL stormed back in

the final half to take a 14-12 advantage.

Coach Mike Perez’s charges came out with fire in their eyes and got on

the scoreboard early in the third quarter on Brian Schutte’s 45-yard

catch-and-run, with the conversion bringing the AFL to within 12-8. A

successful onside kick gave the AFL possession again and Schutte, behind

the blocking of Coby Mason and Daniel Nelson, rushed for 28 of his team’s

45 yards and the go-ahead touchdown on then ensuing drive for a 14-12

lead.

The AFL defense stymied the NFL in the third quarter, with linebackers

Travis McNaughton, Willie Fiscus III, and Dean Persinger, lineman Antonio

Small, and free safety Joshua Perez, leading the way.

McNaughton finished the game with six tackles, Fiscus had four, and

Michael Berber caused a first half fumble.

Schutte led the way with 121 all-purpose yards and finished with 33 yards

rushing, 73 receiving, and 15 more on kick returns.

‘I told the kids afterwards that football is a game and that they should

be proud of themselves,’ Coach Mike Tierney said. ‘We can all be proud of

how 13 players from three teams, representing two leagues, worked hard

together and became one.’

Other local players having a big hand in the AFL performance included

Logan Martina, Vince DiDomenico, Michael Clark, and Sean Tierney,