The 2019 Fullerton College Hornets football season is here and the Hornets took down the Golden West Rustlers 38-33 Saturday, Sept. 7 at Yorba Linda High School.
The Hornets entered game play having won three consecutive years against the Rustlers and looked to continue that success.
Fullerton wasted no time putting points on the board, when sophomore quarterback Quinn Commans threw a 57-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Kashan Griffin for a touchdown. The Hornets were up 7-0, with 13:50 remaining in the first quarter.
The Rustlers responded with seven plays, driving the ball down the field 61-yards. The Hornet defense swarmed the field limiting Golden West to a field goal cutting the lead to four points.
Momentum shifted back to FC after a 78-yard drive led by QB Commans resulted in another Hornet touchdown adding to the lead 14-3.
A forced fumble on the next Rustlers series put the ball on the 25-yard line. Fullerton capitalized on the opportunity adding another touchdown by running back Lucky Avinger, increasing the lead 21-3.
Fullerton appeared to be firing on all cylinders after forcing Golden West to punt after a quick series. However, the Rustlers punt put the Hornets at the 29-yard line but a holding penalty on the kick pinned Fullerton back to the 15-yard line.
Commans first mistake came from an interception on first down that Rustlers defender VJ Malo ran in for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 21-10 to end the first quarter.
At the start of the second quarter started both defenses seemed to settle in as they didn’t allow a point until seven minutes into the quarter.
Commans dropped a dime to freshman wide receiver Kailan Noseff, in the corner of the end zone increasing the Hornet lead 28-10.
Fullerton was on their way to a blowout victory leading by 18 points. However, the following drive the Rustlers marched down the field 75-yards to eat way at the Hornet lead, 28-17, at halftime.
The Rustlers received the kickoff to start the third quarter and the Hornets defense stepped up in a big way. The Hornets forced a quick three and out to give the ball back to the dynamic offense.
Another big drive from QB Commans led to a rushing touchdown from freshman running back Alfonzo Graham, putting FC up 35-17.
The Hornets tacked on a field goal from freshman Alec Fonseca with eight minutes remaining in the game, as the Hornets began to pull away 38-17.
As the fourth quarter began a win seemed locked up for the Hornets. The Rustlers had other plans blanking the Hornets and scoring 16 unanswered points, putting the score at 38-31.
The momentum shifted to the Rustlers as the Hornets began to fall. Fullerton struggled as they got the ball back late in the fourth with 3:38 on the clock.
As Fullerton started their final drive, they put the ball in RB Grahams hands to deliver with a 4-yard rush on third and three for a fresh set of downs.
Fullerton gave up four turnovers on the day. Without risking another, QB Commans took the ball to the back of the end zone for a safety. Commans play secured the victory for the Hornets as they steal a 38-33 victory.
The Hornets (overall 1-0) are back at Yorba Linda High’s Nathan Shapell Stadium on Saturday, Sept.14 against Riverside City College. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
