FOOTBALL: FC TIES AND BREAKS RECORDS IN WIN OVER COMETS

The Hornet offense racked up a school record 667 total yards on visiting Palomar College Saturday afternoon beating the Comets 63-31. The previous record was 656 against Saddleback in 2013.

The Hornets and Comets were deeply engaged in a shootout today... until the FC defense woke up holing the Comets scoreless the entire second half.

The game was a score-fest in the first quarter with 6 touchdowns. Fullerton put up the first touchdown on their second possession on a 4-yards run by QB Jordan Hoy.

Palomar answered the call scoring on their next drive on a 69-yards strike from Matt Romero to Terrell Arnold.

On the ensuing kickoff DeAndre McNeal ran the ball back 82-yards putting the Hornets on the 8-yardline. From there, RB Phillip Butler punched it in for the score.

Palomar came right back to tie the game up a 14 apiece scoring on a 13-yarder from Romero to WR Johnny Arzola.

FC wide out Justin Walker caught a 13-yard pass from Hoy to go 21-14 and then Walker and Hoy connect again for a 32-yard TD.

Now with a 14-point lead, FC thought they might have some cushion to end the first quarter, but the Comets came fighting back in the second hitting pay dirt on a 16-yard pass from Romero to Josh Bernard. Palomar tacked on a 23-yard field goal by Johnny Arzola.

With Palomar inching back 24-28, Hoy worked some magic with his feet when he took off for an 80-yard score.

Romero and the Comets would not go away as he dropped a 51-yard bomb to LaMont Chaney. By the end of the first half, Fullerton had a mild 35-31 lead over Palomar. 35 points is the most a team has scored on Fullerton thus far in the season.

In the second half, the Hornet defense did not allow the Comets to score again, and the FC offense continued to move the ball up and down the field at will.

Second half touchdowns were had by Phillip Butler (4-yard run), Markus Grossman (5-yard pass by Hoy), Aundre Carter (2-yard run), and Gerald Hulett (8-yard run).

Hoy tied the school record for most touchdown passes in a season with 26 in 8 games. Jose Escobar (13 games in 2013) and Darius Banks (11 games in 2010) are the other two record holders.

Jonathan Aguilar tied the record for most PATs in a season with Sam Palescu (2003 10 games) with 53. On the day, Aguilar was successful 9 out 9 PAT tries, just 2 short of his own record.

Hoy had a monster day for Fullerton throwing for 358 yards (24 of 42) with 3 TDs and 1 interception. On the ground, he was just as effective rushing for 149 yards on 12 attempts with 2 touchdowns. Justin Walker had 5 catches for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns.

On defense, FC birthday boy D'Angelo Ross was lights out leading the team in tackles with 6 (5 solo, 1 assisted). He also added 2 breakups. Montre Bonner was a force on the defensive line batting down 3 of Romero's pass attempts. He also had 3 tackles (1 for a4 yard loss) and 2 QB hurries.

Hornet team dancer Aileen Murphy was honored today for her dedication and loyalty to Fullerton College at halftime. Murphy is the daughter of beloved former head coach and FC Hall of Famer Gene Murphy who passed on in 2011. Most of the FC Athletics staff watched Aileen grow up from a little girl with glasses and dance shoes as her father proudly put her on display. We're all proud of you Aileen! Once a Hornet, Always a Hornet.

Up Next: The Hornets (7-1 overall, 2-1 conference) will travel south to LeBard Stadium in Costa Mesa to take on Orange Coast College on Saturday, November 5th. Kickoff is at 1:00 pm.

* Photo by Sean Sydnor

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