FOOTBALL: HORNET HOMECOMING VICTORY!

With the 1967 Hornet Championship team, along with many alumni in the stands for homecoming, the #1 Fullerton College football team made them all proud blowing past #17 Saddleback College 56-35 at Yorba Linda High's Nathan Shapell Stadium on Saturday. 

The Hornets got off to a good start styming the Gaucho offense, and then scoring a touchdown on their first drive. FC took the ball on their own 14 yard line and drove down the field in 10 plays for the score. Isaiah Webb capped it off with a four-yard TD run.

Fullerton was feeling pretty good, until the Gauchos hit back scoring in two plays on the following series. Running back Emari Demercado took the handoff, in what looked like a two-yard loss, stiff-armed a Hornet defender and ran down the field untouched for a 79-yard score. The first half slug fest was on.

On the next series, quarterback Kane Wilson led the offense on a nine play 75-yard drive to paydirt hitting Jordan Huffman for a 6-yard TD.

Saddleback retaliated with a pass from Max Gilliam to Clinton Allen for a 30-yard touchdown. The score was all tied up 14-14.

After Kane Wilson was interception by Donte Hamilton, Saddleback drove the ball 52-yards in six plays for another score. Rome Innocenzi took the ball from the FC 3-yard line giving the Gauchos 21-14 lead.

At the end of the first half, the Hornets found themselves in unfamiliar territory. They were losing at halftime for the first time this season.

In their second possession in the second half, the Hornet offense caught on fire scoring on a 22-yard run by Kane Wilson. 

On the Gaucho's next drive, QB Max Gilliam forced a throw into the flat where it was picked off by Daijuane Dorsey, who took it to the house for a 25-yard score. The Hornets went for two and were successful off of the legs of Ladarius Skelton. Fullerton went up 29-21.

The momentum fully swung in the Hornet's direction as they went on to score three more unanswered touchdowns. Wilson tossed one to Robert Downs for a 13-yard TD, Skelton scampered for a 27-yard TD, and Gerald Hulett scored from 20-yards out.

The Gauchos managed to score two late fourth quarter touchdowns, but by then the game was on ice, and the crowd had begun to filter out.

At halftime, the 1967 National Championship team was honored for the 50th anniversary. Over 40 members of the team showed that included players, cheerleaders, coaches, and staff. All of the members were given gift bags and certificates commemorating their fantastic feat. Son of coaching legend Hal Sherbeck, Eric Sherbeck spoke on behalf of his father to celebrate the day. Once a Hornet, Always a Hornet! 

GAME HIGHLTIGHTS

Up Next: The #1 Hornets (7-0 overall, 2-0 conference) will travel south to Palomar College on Saturday, October 28th for a Southern Conference match-up. Kickoff is at 1:00 pm.

*Photos by Jim McCormack

Like us on Facebook!