FOOTBALL: ORANGE CRUSH

The #1 Hornets hit the road Saturday night and kept their undefeated streak alive beating Orange Coast College 63-21.

Fullerton took control of the game early scoring on the opening kickoff, an 82-yard return by Lavorrie Johnson and never looked back.  Roughly two minutes later, Johnson struck again with a 48-yard TD run.  By the end of the first quarter, the Hornets built up a solid 21-0 lead.

The win keeps Fullerton's undefeated streak alive at 9-0 overall, and 5-0 in the Southern conference.  Orange Coast's record falls to 3-7 overall and 2-3 conference-play. 

Fullerton accumulated 601 yards fo total offense (240 in the air / 361 on the ground). QB Jose Escobar ushered the Hornets down the field going 9-9 for 192 yards, with two TDs, and no interceptions.  RB Ryan Byrd racked up a quick 100 yards on 10 carries with 2 TDs.  WR Ryan Longoria had 3 catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.  TE Kishon Sanders had two catches for 37 yards with a TD.

Defensively, FC held the Pirates to total 369 yards (313 passing / 56 rushing).  DB Treshon Broughton, LB Justin Owens and LB Jarrot Thomas each totaled 6 tackles.  LB Simon Poti had 5 tackles with an interception.  DB Tyler Floyd also contributed with 2 tackles and an interception.

Up Next: The Hornets will host the 91st Key to the County game on Saturday, November 16th at Yorba Linda High's Shapell Stadium.  The game will be a special one for all Hornets as it is Fullerton College's homecoming game that will feature a special halftime ceremony honoring former Athletic Trainer Bill Chambers.

For 91 years, the football teams from Fullerton College and Santa Ana College have done battle on the gridiron once a year in what is believed by many to be California community college's longest-running football rivalry.  Since their first meeting in 1916, a most-fitting scoreless tie, the two teams have played 90 times in including 68 consecutive years from 1945 to present.

*Photo by Sean Sydnor