Simonsen-Led Trabuco Hills Busts Barons, 28-7

With Trabuco Hills’ starting quarterback Jonathan Newsom held out because of an arm injury suffered in the Santa Margarita game, the Mustangs resorted to a variety of formations on offense and leaned on its running game to grind out a 28-7 nonleague victory over Fountain Valley Friday night at Huntington Beach High.

The Mustangs received three touchdown runs from senior running back Mitchell Simonsen and another from senior running back Garret Hartman to lift the team's record to 4-1.

The Barons, who fell to 3-2 heading into their bye week, played without their starting quarterback, Kai Fernandez, who is still a few weeks away from returning from a broken collarbone.

Newsom was suited up and on the sidelines, but the senior was held out of the game by coach Scott Orloff, who credited the team's offensive line and running backs, who "really helped us out these last two weeks." Newsom is expected to be ready for Thursday’s final nonleague game against San Juan Hills.

The Mustangs controlled Friday's game with junior quarterback Nathan Perry under center and, at times, used a direct snap to Simonsen as a change of pace. Simonsen finished with 221 yards and three touchdowns, including a 17-yard run that tied the score at 7-7 with 3:01 left in the first quarter.

After holding the Barons to three plays and a punt on their ensuing possession, the Mustangs started their drive near midfield. Five plays later, Simonsen broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second quarter to give the Mustangs a 14-7 lead.

With a veteran offensive line, the Mustangs are proving to be a solid team against top competition. "The offensive line is really improved, and they’re just dominating," Simonsen said. "It’s awesome to run behind them, it’s an honor to run behind them."

After holding the Barons deep in their own end, the Mustangs again started their next drive in good field position on the Barons’ 38-yard line. Three plays and a personal foul penalty later, the ball was at the 15-yard line, where Hartman went off tackle, broke left and out-ran the defense to the corner of the end zone to put the Mustangs up 21-7.

Fountain Valley had started the game strong, holding Trabuco Hills to three plays and a punt on the game’s opening possession. A short punt set the Barons up at the Mustangs' 33-yard line and five plays later, quarterback Chris d’Entremont hit Chris Calvillo for a 13-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to give the Barons a 7-0 lead.

But the Mustangs took over after that and kept the Barons from mounting any significant drives. Down to their third quarterback, Fountain Valley threatened to score in the closing minute, but Mustang senior safety Mathew Kirkland intercepted a pass at the goal line.

For the Barons, they head into their bye week looking to get back some injured players, but mostly to find a formula to compete in what should be a grueling Sunset League schedule. "Our guys bust their butts off, they play hard and we’re proud of them," Fountain Valley coach John Shipp said. "But we need to play better and we need some guys to get healthy."

The Barons open league play at Newport Harbor on Oct. 14. The South Coast League also offers a big challenge again this year. After facing San Juan Hills on Thursday, the Mustangs will open league play against San Clemente (5-0) on Oct. 14.