ROAD TESTED VICTORY FOR FC

The No. 14 Hornet football team knocked off No. 4 College of the Canyons on the road Saturday night 29-24. 

Fullerton rebounded well after a tough home loss last week proving that the team not only has heart but has what it takes to be one of the top contenders in the state. 

The first time the two colleges met on the football field was in 2007, a 32-31 barnburner that Fullerton won. Including the win tonight, FC holds a 6-3 series lead. 

Grabbing a 9-0 lead in the first quarter, the Hornets fluttered in their first drive going four and out. FC made up for it on COC's first offensive play with a pick-six by Salen Streater (2nd of the year) for a 75-yard return. The two-point conversion pass attempt failed. With 4:45 left in the quarter, Jonathan Fobear knocked in a 42-yard field goal. 

The second quarter belonged to College of the Canyons scoring ten unanswered points taking a 1-point lead into the half. Quarterback Chayden Peery tossed a 36-yard pass to Calvin Littles and Ty Morrison hit a 23-yard field goal. 

Canyons opened the second half with a nine-play drive that ended with a 1-yard plunge by running back Anthony Spearman. 

Down 17-9, the Hornets pushed back on the next drive scoring on a 55-yard seam up the middle from QB Josh Calvin to Aidan Koenig. Soon after, the Cougars fumbled the ball allowing FC to steal back the lead on an 8-yard strike from Calvin to Jordan Smith. 

Owning a 23-17 lead with 6:45 left in the third, the Fullerton defense shut down COC's next drive and it appeared as if the Hornets were in line to take control of the game. An untimely turnover by FC gave the Cougars another opportunity to get back on the board. Chayden Peery's touchdown pass to Zyon Slade for 54 yards brought Canyons back on top 24-23 with 54 seconds left in the third. 

Fullerton swung the game back in its favor scoring the only touchdown in fourth quarter when Josh Calvin tossed his third touchdown of the night on a corner route to Will Gipson from 8-yards out at 12:58. The PAT was blocked. 

The Hornet defense did its job holding the Cougars off balance with a scoreless fourth quarter for the needed victory. 

QB Josh Calvin had quite a night for Fullerton going 17-24 for 205 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran for 18 yards. Tyrell Greene Jr. rushed 22 times for 88 yards, and Aiden Koenig caught 4 passes for 86 yards and a TD. Defensively, Maximus Ahoia, Brandin Sun, and Chris Harm each had 6 tackles. Sun had a forced fumble and recovery. 

Up Next: Fullerton (2-1 overall) will head back out on the road on Saturday, September 24th when they take on Allan Hancock College (2-1). Game time is at 2:00 pm.