FOOTBALL: SOCAL DOGFIGHT

The No. 7 in state Hornets took on Saddleback College for their final game at Nathan Shapell Stadium on Saturday and got tangled up in an old-fashioned dogfight barely getting past the Bobcats 31-30.

Historically, it has never been an easy game against Saddleback. Despite their 3-5 overall record, the Bobcats came to play today turning the game into a very exciting and memorable battle. Beginnig in 1982, the all-time series now stands at 18-17 with Fullerton now holding a narrow edge. The last time they met was in 2017 playing in two games that season. The Hornets beat Saddleback during the regular season 56-35 and in the semi-finals of the SoCal Regionals 33-21.

A botched high punt-snap by the Hornets put Saddleback on premium real estate on the FC 2-yardline. Three plays later, Bobcat quarterback Drew Nash ran the ball in from a yard out. A FC penalty on the PAT gave Saddleback an opportunity to go for a two-point conversion and was successful. Running back Andrew Wimmer ran the ball in putting the Bobcats up 8-0.

Fullerton got on the board at 7:56 on Ceasar Velazquez's 30-yard field goal attempt posting a baseball score of 8-3.

A few minutes later, Nash hit Daniel Stokes for a 52-yard TD. The PAT by Justin Kaplan put Saddleback up 15-3.

Hornet running back Branden Rankins broke loose for a 62-yard run setting up his own 1-yard touchdown. Velazquez's extra point got FC closer at 15-10 (3:37 1Q).

Fullerton took its first lead of the game of 17-15 at 10:24 in the second quarter when Devin Moore got in on the rushing action taking off for a 20-yard touchdown.

FC made it 24-15 with a little over two minutes left in the half when Rankins struck again, this time from 9-ards out.

With 30 seconds left until both teams headed to the locker rooms, the Bobcats stunned the Hornet defense with a Nash to Yasir Berry 26-yard touchdown. The score at halftime was 24-22 with the Hornets holding a narrow lead.

The third quarter only featured one score, and it was Saddleback that rang the bell going back up 30-24. With a little over two minutes left in the quarter, Saddleback had Fullerton pinned deep in its own territory. FC quarterback Chandler Galban was sacked by Bryce Crider and Sean Owens. The ball was jarred loose allowing Owens to dive on the ball in the endzone putting six on the board for the Bobcats. Saddleback's two-point conversion was good off Nash's pass to Brian Patterson.

The Hornets had to wheel and deal in the fourth quarter and quarterback Chandler Galban did not disappoint, especially when it mattered in the final drive. With 8:20 left in the ballgame, Fullerton began its biggest drive of the game from its own 25-yardline. Eleven plays later, Galban hit Dejonte Thomas in stride for a 28-yard strike. With the successful PAT by Velazquez, Fullerton owned a very slim 31-30 lead.

The big question in the press box was "Did Fullerton leave too much time on the clock?" No. Saddleback did drive all the way to the Fullerton 38-yard line, but then the Hornet Defense came to life. Two huge sacks that involved Jaylin Early, Jordan Rice, and Amari Williams ended the Bobcat threat, and the FC offense took over with just over a minute left. Two QB knees were taken, and the clock ran out preserving the Hornet win.

Hornet sophomore running back Branden Rankins was stuffed for a 4-yard loss on his first carry of the game. Rankins then exploded for a career-best 148 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added 3 catches for 19 yards. Sophomore Dejonte Thomas had a season-high 6 catches foir 104 yards and a score. The FC special teams unit forced an incredible 3 blocked kicks. On defense, freshman linebacker Isaac Hurtado led the team in tackles with 8 (7 solo) and 2 QB hurries.

Honored at halftime were the 1965 and 1967 Hornet National Championship teams. Those special players set the tone for a winning tradition at Fullerton College.

Up Next: Fullerton (6-2 overall, 3-0 Southern Conference) will have a conference showdown at Golden West College on Saturday, November 13th at high noon. Both teams are undefeated in the Southern Conference. 

*Photo by Matt Brown

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