OUTDONE BY THE OLYMPIANS IN THE LAST MINUTE

The Hornets did their best to pull off a Thursday night victory for homecoming, but San Diego Mesa had other plans defeating Fullerton 20-13 on a last-minute touchdown.

No. 9 San Diego Mesa (5-1 overall) got off to a hot start winning its first four games of the season before losing its last to Saddleback 26-24. On the other side, No. 12 the Fullerton College football squad (3-3 overall) has a bit of a Jekyll and Hide personality with three blowout wins and three close losses to teams they could have beat. Historically, the Olympians and Hornets first fought it out back in 1968 with FC winning that game 46-0. Even with tonight's loss, Fullerton owns all-time series 24-6.

Both teams had difficulty getting anything going in the first quarter, until the Olympians took advantage on a touchdown pass from QB Jax Leatherwood to Jalil Tucker from 16 yards out.

The Hornets managed to get on the board in the second quarter when Charles Viorel kicked in a deep 45-yard field goal with 5:49 left in the first half.

Fullerton took its first lead of the game with five minutes left in the third quarter on a fumble recovery by Jeremy Naborne. Perry Willams IV was credited for knocking the ball loose and Naborne scooped it up for a 40-yard score.

Up 10-7 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Hornets could not contain San Diego Mesa as Leatherwood took it in from a yard out. The PAT attempt was blocked by She'Fon Boyd.

The FC offense put together a solid drive on their next possession, but it stalled out. Viorel came out to punt and was hit on the play giving the Hornets new life on a roughing-the-kicker call. Fullerton could only move backwards losing 5 yards in three plays. With no other choice and 5:10 left in the game, Charles Viorel came out to attempt 50-yard field goal and nailed it. 

With the game tied 13-13, the Olympians ate up the rest of the clock on a 16-play drive scoring on a 19-yard pass from Leatherwood to Conor Lawlor for the SD Mesa win. 

Up Next: The Hornets (3-3 overall, 1-2 Southern Conference) will play again on Saturday, October 26th at Palomar College for another conference matchup. Kickoff is at 12:00 pm.

*Photo by Aaliyah Skipper