Plenty on the line for Chargers, Griffins

It was a watershed game for the Edison High football when it took on

Los Alamitos last year. The Chargers hadn’t beaten the Griffins in the

teams’ previous six meetings, although those games produced some wild

finishes in which each, somehow, favored the Griffins.

But that all changed one night last October at Long Beach Veterans

Stadium as Edison came up with a spectacular fourth quarter defensive

performance to turn a slim three point lead into a runaway, 29-14

victory.

Tonight at 7 p.m., the teams go at it again, with just about

everything riding on the outcome . . . again.

Edison Coach Dave White summed it up simply: “It’s been a great

series.”

That it has, and all signs point to another big Sunset League showdown

tonight.

What this could turn out to be is a passer’s duel between Los Al’s Tim

Bessolo and Edison’s Tommy Grady. Both have passed for more than 1,100

yards and Bessolo is the county’s passing leader. The school has been

known for its quarterbacks and receivers and this year, juniors Brandon

Tripp and Jeff Kline have been Bessolo’s favorite targets.

Last year, Griffins quarterback Mike Catalano passed for 350 yards

against the Edison defense.

Grady, meanwhile, has made big plays with leading receiver Denny

Flanagan and also has speedy Marcus McCutcheon to throw to. The Chargers

have an ace in senior defensive back A.J. Martinez who intercepted two

fourth quarter passes in last year’s meeting. Martinez has blocked two

field goal attempts, a punt -- which he scored a touchdown on -- and an

extra point this season.

Los Alamitos already has knocked Fountain Valley from the unbeaten

ranks. The winner here takes a big step toward a possible league title.

Also tonight:

Ocean View vs. Pacifica

(at Garden Grove High, 7 p.m.)

Ocean View steps out of Golden West League play to take on Pacifica of

the Garden Grove League in a nonleague battle. The Mariners run a fly

offense but have also been known to use the I-formation. Junior

quarterback Justin Turner leads the attack and junior Dave Heller is

Pacifica’s leading rusher with a seven yards per carry average. The teams

were evenly matched last year.

Last year’s score: Pacifica 17, Ocean View 14

FRIDAY

Fountain Valley vs. Huntington Beach

(at Huntington Beach High, 7 p.m.)

It’s been eight, long years since Huntington Beach last defeated

Fountain Valley. The Oilers are taking on a talented Barons’ team that

has been seasoned in league play, having battled perennial league powers

Los Alamitos and Esperanza to start the league race. At the halfway point

of Sunset action, a Fountain Valley win is vital if the Barons are to vie

a top playoff spot. The Barons have it all: a balanced offense, a strong

defense and a special teams unit that can make things happen. The common

opponent for both teams is Esperanza. We won’t bring up what the Aztecs

did to the Oilers two weeks ago.

Last year’s score: Fountain Valley 28, Huntington Beach 7

Barons-Oilers Series

’70 - Oilers 41, Barons 7

’71 - Oilers 15, Barons 14

’72 - Barons 37, Oilers 28

’73 - Barons 33, Oilers 14

’76 - Barons 43, Oilers 6

’77 - Barons 49, Oilers 6

’78 - Barons 20, Oilers 0

’79 - Barons 34, Oilers 3

’80 - Barons 21, Oilers 6

’81 - Barons 35, Oilers 0

’82 - Barons 17, Oilers 14

’83 - Oilers 6, Barons 3

’84 - Barons 28, Oilers 7

’85 - Barons 27, Oilers 0

’86 - Barons 17, Oilers 7

’87 - Barons 31, Oilers 27

’88 - Barons 42, Oilers 13

’89 - Double forfeit

’90 - Oilers 35, Barons 20

’91 - Oilers 14, Barons 13

’92 - Oilers 27, Barons 7

’93 - Oilers 14, Barons 10

’94 - Barons 27, Oilers 13

’95 - Barons 45, Oilers 6

’96 - Barons 37, Oilers 0

’97 - Barons 24, Oilers 22

’98 - Barons 13, Oilers 12

’99 - Barons 21, Oilers 6

’00 - Barons 28, Oilers 7

(Fountain Valley leads, 21-6-1)

Marina

Esperanza

(at Valencia High, 7 p.m.)

Marina always seems to give Esperanza a good game, although the Aztecs

always come up with a win in this series. This game features two

outstanding rushing games. Esperanza’s main threat is junior Shawn

Wildenstein while Marina features a double whammy in seniors Adam Hayward

and Turill Engleman. Whichever team effectively establishes the rushing

game will win. Esperanza has come on strong in that department in league

play with close to 600 yards on the ground. It will take Marina’s best

effort of the year to finally beat the Aztecs.

Last year’s score: Esperanza 42, Marina 15