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.
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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.
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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.
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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.