FOOTBALL: TRADITION RUNS DEEP

The 93rd Annual Key to the County Game was played tonight at Yorba Linda High's Nathan Shapell Stadium as the Hornets retained the key for the 9th consecutive year defeating Santa Ana College 20-14.

With their big 52-21 win over #1 in the state Riverside City College fresh on their minds, Fullerton kept the ball rolling against the Dons making a comeback in the fourth quarter to win the game.

It was the Hornet defense that was the difference-maker taking control of the game when Fullerton needed it. Down 14-7, FC had a hard time getting the ball across the goal line and had to settle for 3 points from the steady leg of kicker Tavis Guerra with 14:50 left in regulation.

Still down 14-10, on the ensuing kickoff, the Dons began their drive from their 25-yardline. On the very first play from scrimmage, Santa Ana coughed up the ball on a hit from DL Chris Cowart that allowed LB Jakob McCarthy to scoop up the ball and run it in 20-yards for the much-needed Hornet touchdown.

The game continued to turn on a dime in Fullerton's favor on the Dons very next possession when Don QB Jason Habash's pass was picked off by DB D'Angelo Ross at the Santa Ana 47 yard line where Ross returned the ball 22 yards to the Don's 25 yard line. FC had to rely on Guerra's leg again as he successfully hit a 20-yard field goal to give Fullerton some breathing room. 

Santa Ana's final offensive push thwarted by the Hornet D as they put an end to their 10-play drive for 77 yards giving Fullerton to set up in victory formation for the win. 

The Hornet win tonight broke the series record for the most consecutive wins at nine (2007-2015). The previous streak was held from 1963 to 1970 during the Hal Sherbeck era. Santa Ana's longest winning streak stretched six games from 1957 to 1962.

Members of the 1965 Junior Rose Bowl National Championship team were honored at halftime to observe the 50th anniversary. Attendees included Coach Al Feola, Bill Chambers, Bill Darke, Bob Requeho, Bob Anderson, and Billy Vasquez. Also in attendance were many players and fans representing the Hornet Nation such as Jim Fassel, Coach Glenn Thomas, NOCCCD Interim Chancellor Fred Williams, FC Interim President Greg Schulz, BOT M. Tony Ontiveros, and BOT Leonard Lahtinen. 

MVP OF THE GAME
DB D'Angelo Ross, Fullerton College - 1 interception for 22 yards to help seal the game, 6 tackles, and 3 breakups

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
OL Dean Munge

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
LB Jakob McCarthy - 1 fumble recovery for a TD, 1 forced fumble, and 7 tackles

Up Next: The Hornets (4-3, 1-2) will travel south to the San Diego area to play Grossmont College on Saturday, October 24th. Kickoff will be at 1:00 pm.

WATCH THE 93RD KEY TO THE COUNTY GAME

VIDEO: THE 1965 JUNIOR ROSEBOWL PARADE & GAME

* Photos by Sean Sydnor

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