HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK

Mike Sciacca

Throw out the records.

And while you’re at it, throw out common sense, too.

It’s Edison vs. Fountain Valley, a rivalry that has seen it all --

from the expected to the bizarre, from the mundane to the improbable.

Kickoff for the Independent’s Game of the Week is set for 7 p.m.

Friday at Orange Coast College’s LeBard Stadium. As usual, a standing

room-only crowd of more than 8,000 is anticipated for what, perhaps, is

Orange County’s most fierce rivalry.

Fountain Valley head coach Eric Johnson, a former defensive coach at

Mater Dei, was so impressed after his first involvement in the series

that he said he had never seen a rivalry “quite like it” after last

year’s game.

For Johnson, it was a good start in the rivalry. His Barons emerged

with a 35-21 victory.

“It’s a huge game,” Johnson said just days before the schools’ 33rd

meeting. “The intensity level is incredible. Edison’s got a great team,

and we’ll have our work cut out for us.”

Edison comes into Friday’s match sporting a 7-1 overall record and,

more importantly, shares first place in the Sunset League race with

Esperanza at 3-0.

Fountain Valley, meanwhile, is 4-4 overall and 1-2 in league.

Doesn’t matter, though.

And, as usual, there’s plenty at stake for each team.

Bragging rights, mind you, are a given.

For Edison, a victory over the Barons would move the Chargers’ current

winning streak to five games and clinch a share of the 2000 Sunset League

title, the school’s first since 1990.

For Fountain Valley, there’s “The Streak” -- the five-year hex the

Barons have put on the Chargers, giving them ownership of “The Bell” for

more than 1,800 days.

Edison wants it back. Fountain Valley refuses to give it up.

“It all started in 1969 and hasn’t let up since,” said Edison head

coach Dave White, who will be involved in his 24th Battle for The Bell.

“Both schools are known for good programs, both have big enrollments, and

it’s the one game that all the students come out to see. There have been

some classic games in this series.”

Friday’s figures to be no different.

For Edison to break the spell, the Chargers will need to fire on all

cylinders offensively and continue to come up with the superb defensive

efforts that have been instrumental in three previous league victories.

In order for Fountain Valley to keep The Bell for a sixth consecutive

year, Johnson said the banged-up Barons “will need to cut down on

turnovers, and stop (running back) Darryl Poston.”