HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Second Chance Pays for Antelope Valley

FONTANA —  Antelope Valley had a much easier time on the field Saturday night in a first-round game of the Southern Section Division I football playoffs than it did in the week preceding the game, racking up 309 yards in total offense in a 24-0 victory over Fontana.

The win sets up a showdown against top-seeded Bishop Amat on Friday at Antelope Valley, meaning that the Antelopes actually benefited from forfeiting three games for using an ineligible player.

Saturday’s game was originally scheduled to be played Friday at Antelope Valley, meaning that the Antelopes could have been required to play on the road in the second round.

Antelope Valley (6-5) established its ball-control offense early, taking almost 6 1/2 minutes to drive 87 yards in 13 plays, capped by a one-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Jermaine Lewis with 42 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Antelopes’ second touchdown came at the end of a 71-yard, 12-play advance, capped by Lewis’ two-yard run with a minute left in the first half to give Antelope Valley a 13-0 lead.

In the third quarter, Antelope Valley’s Trymon Redick scored from 24 yards on a double reverse to give the Antelopes a 19-0 lead and a two-point conversion run extended the lead to 21-0.

Antelope Valley quarterback Mike Gleich completed 12 of 18 passes for 189 yards.

Chris Tapia had seven receptions for 71 yards for the Antelopes.

Lewis gained 73 yards in 27 carries and also had a 42-yard kickoff return to begin the second half.

The distraction of being in, then out, then back in the playoffs, and the resulting missed practices might have played a part in Antelope Valley fumbling the ball six times.

8-MAN LARGE DIVISION

Faith Baptist 47, Flintridge Prep 20--Bobby Alirezaei gained a career-high 159 yards in 11 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead Faith Baptist past Flintridge Prep in a quarterfinal game of the Southern Section football playoffs at home.

The second-seeded Contenders (9-1) will meet third-seeded St. Margaret’s, a 49-38 winner over Chadwick, next week in the semifinals.

Faith Baptist, which will make its fourth straight appearance in the semifinals, won section titles in 1984 and 1991.