Battle for Bell to begin

Having not had the opportunity to do much, if anything, for nine days prior, four local prep teams got back to playing football Monday.

That’s right, Monday Night Football.

Poor air quality stemming from fires in Orange County postponed county games that were to be played Oct. 25-28. Scrambling to stay on schedule, most county games were rescheduled for Monday.

When all was said and done late that evening, the Sunset League race was tightened, the Golden West League race became interesting and the Sea View League race picture became clearer.

With Monday’s games now in the book, the local teams have had just three days this week to prepare for their next respective battles, all of which take place Friday.

And there’s plenty at stake in those games.

Friday’s games

Fountain Valley (5-3, 1-2) vs. Edison (5-3, 2-1)

(at Orange Coast College, 7 p.m.)

This rivalry, perhaps the best in Orange County, will again draw a standing room-only crowd of 9,000 at LeBard Stadium as the Barons and Chargers battle it out for the bell.

Edison wants to keep the coveted trophy for a third-straight year while Fountain Valley is looking to claim it for the first time since the 2-4 season.

“This rivalry is something special,” said Edison Coach Dave White, who has both played and coached in this series. “This is one game both schools really get fired-up for, and the stadium is packed every year. The winner here keeps alive its hope of a league title and moves closer to a playoff berth.”

Edison moved back into title contention Monday by winning 9-7 on the road against previously undefeated Esperanza.

The Chargers defense turned in a top-notch performance and limited an Aztecs offense that came in averaging 33 points a game.

The defense also turned away the Aztecs on a fourth-down situation near midfield late in the game to secure the victory.

The Chargers also won the turnover battle, 4-0, a key stat on the night.

Troy Bosiljevic intercepted a pass, and Trent Burns-Stickney recovered a fumble, and both led to Edison touchdowns.

Edison’s offense, meanwhile, scored the first touchdown against the Esperanza defense in league play. Bosiljevic’s interception led to a 15-yard TD pass play between quarterback Nick Crissman and Burns-Stickney that gave the Chargers a 6-0 halftime lead.

Late in the third quarter, Nick Torres connected on a 45-yard field goal to cap a drive that followed Burns-Stickney’s fumble recovery.

“Our defense played great,” White said. “We got four turnovers and that was a big key to the game. On offense, we didn’t have one and that was real important for us.”

After three weeks of Sunset League play, no team is undefeated.

Edison’s win over Esperanza, coupled with Newport Harbor’s win Monday over a Los Alamitos squad that previous had been undefeated in league play, left all four teams with 2-1 records.

And Fountain Valley climbed back into league and playoff contention Monday by besting Marina, 32-6, to notch its first league win.

Quarterback Bryse Blake threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another, and Kyle Middlebrooks rushed for 167 yards and a TD for the Barons.

Fountain Valley came in averaging five turnovers per game but only committed two Monday, much to the liking of Barons Coach John Shipp.

“That was great to see,” he said. “Turnovers have been a big problem for us this year. We’ve shot ourselves in the foot so many times this year, including league losses to Los Al and Newport Harbor.

“My feeling about Friday’s game is that the team that takes care of the ball and can make some big plays, will come out on top.

“This is my fourth rivalry game as head coach, and I was fortunate enough to win the bell in my first year and bring it back to Fountain Valley. It’s just a great rivalry, with 9,000 screaming fans. There’s a mutual respect on both sides, and its great for our communities. We’re looking at this game as getting a step closer to the playoffs. It’s a big one.”

The Barons-Chargers series

1969: Chargers 21, Barons 20

1970: Chargers 28, Barons 6

1971: Chargers 20, Barons 6

1972: Chargers 26, Barons 7

1973: Barons 28, Chargers 24

1974: Chargers O, Barons 0

1975: Chargers 19, Barons 6

1976: Chargers 13, Barons 3

1977: Barons 6, Chargers 3

1978: Chargers 10, Barons 7

1979: Chargers 35, Barons 7

1980: Chargers 15, Barons 14

1980: Chargers 14, Barons 0

1981: Chargers 24, Barons 13

1982: Chargers 17, Barons 13

1983: Barons 33, Chargers 7

1984: Barons 11, Chargers 10

1985: Chargers 24, Barons 12

1986: Chargers 3, Barons 0

1987: Barons 14, Chargers 13

1988: Barons 28, Chargers 21

1989: Chargers 28, Barons 25

1990: Chargers 26, Barons 8

1991: Chargers 14, Barons 7

1992: Barons 20, Chargers 11

1993: Chargers 27, Barons 14

1994: Chargers 42, Barons 22

1995: Barons 27, Chargers 22

1996: Barons 35, Chargers 12

1997: Barons 19, Chargers 17

1998: Barons 42, Chargers 28

1999: Barons 35, Chargers 21

2000: Chargers 16, Barons 3

2001: Chargers 19, Barons 10

2002: Barons 28, Chargers 16

2003: Chargers 22, Barons 8

2204: Barons 21, Chargers 20

2005: Chargers 34, Barons 0

2006: Chargers 31, Barons 9

(Edison leads, 23-14-1)

Westminster (5-3, 3-0) vs. Ocean View (6-2, 2-1)

(at Ocean View High, 7 p.m.)

By defeating Saddleback 35-14 Monday, Ocean View set up a key meeting Friday against Westminster, the only undefeated team in the Golden West League.

A win Friday by the Seahawks could go a long way in determining the eventual champion.

As has been the case in most of its games this year, Ocean View fell behind early (7-0) but reeled off the next four touchdowns to open up a commanding, 28-7 lead.

Quarterback Dana Maley and Richard Lam combined on a 73-yard touchdown pass play to tie the score before Kyle Walker rushed for the next three touchdowns.

Walker, a junior who finished the night with 145 rushing yards, capped the game’s scoring with a three-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.

Maley finished with 215 yards of total offense.

The 35 points were the most scored by Ocean View in a game this year.

Westminster on Monday had little trouble with Segerstrom and the Lions posted a 35-7 victory.

Aaron Garbutt scored twice, one coming on an 80-yard kickoff return, and quarterback Juan Ortiz threw a pair of touchdown passes, to lead the way.

The Lions, who have now won four-straight, capitalized on five Jaguars turnovers.

Segerstrom handed Ocean View its only league loss back on Oct. 19.

Last year’s score: Lions 42, Seahawks 3

Newport Harbor (6-2, 2-1) vs. Marina (3-5, 0-3)

(at Westminster High, 7 p.m.)

Newport Harbor factored itself back into the Sunset League race by handing Los Alamitos its first league loss Monday. The Sailors’ 31-27 victory left four league teams with 2-1 records.

Quarterback Andrew McDonald and J.B. Green teamed on a pair of TD pass plays, and Green scored the game-winning touchdown on a five-yard run with 41 seconds to play.

Marina’s 32-6 loss Monday to Fountain Valley left the Vikings winless in league and sent them to their fifth consecutive loss.

Quarterback Tim Atencio’s one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter accounted for Marina’s lone score Monday.

Last year’s score: Sailors 25, Vikings 16

Huntington Beach (4-4, 1-2) vs. Woodbridge (0-8, 0-3)

(at Irvine High, 7 p.m.)

Huntington Beach finds itself in a must-win situation against Sea View League foe Woodbridge if the Oilers have playoff aspirations.

Huntington suffered a 34-22 loss Monday to El Toro, which remained undefeated in league play.

The Oilers fell behind 28-0 midway through the third quarter before staging a late rally.

The Oilers converted a pair of fourth-down plays inside the El Toro 40-yard line in the first half, only to have interceptions end both drives. The second interception led to a Chargers touchdown and left Huntington down 14-0 at the half.

El Toro struck quickly in the third quarter, turning a failed pooch kick by the Oilers into an impressive touchdown run by Jai Morris who twisted and turned his way into the end zone from 38 yards out.

Morris finished with 132 yards and three touchdowns on the night.

Johnny Olivé rushed for Huntington’s first touchdown and quarterback Bobby Duarte threw touchdown passes to Keith Roberts and Jimmy Elby, all coming in the fourth quarter, to rally the Oilers.

Woodbridge, meanwhile, forfeited its game Monday to Trabuco Hills.

The Warriors have given up 56 points in two league games played against Foothill and El Toro, and have given up an average of 31 points in eight games.

Last year’s score: Oilers 35, Warriors 21

PREP FOOTBALL LOGS

Edison (5-3; 2-1)

27…Diamond Ranch…13

26…San Clemente…17

45…L.A. Jordan…0

0…Servite…6

14…Mater Dei…42

9…*Los Alamitos…13

62…*Marina…7

9…Esperanza…7

Friday: vs. Fountain Valley

(at Orange Coast College, 7 p.m.)

Huntington Beach (4-4, 1-2)

10…L.B. Millikan…22

35…Los Amigos…20

3…L.B. Jordan…13

21…Westminster…0

25…Gardena…12

14…*Trabuco Hills…45

22…Northwood…15

22…El Toro…34

Friday: vs. Woodbridge

(at Irvine High, 7 p.m.)

Marina (3-5, 0-3)

20…Capo Valley…26

14…Westminster…13

37…Orange…19

14…Colton…52

24…Paramount…9

0…*Esperanza…58

7…Edison…62

6…Fountain Valley…32

Friday: vs. Newport Harbor

(at Westminster High, 7 p.m.)

Ocean View (6-2, 2-1)

22…Calvary Chapel…15

14…University…42

21…Century…14

29…Bolsa Grande…6

27…Estancia…26

28…*Santa Ana…21

14…*Segerstrom…35

35…*Saddleback…14

Friday: vs. Westminster

(at Ocean View High, 7 p.m.)

(*denotes league game)