FOOTBALL: SPECIAL TEAMS COME UP BIG

The Hornets took on Grossmont College at Nathan Shapell Stadium Saturday night and came up big defeating the Griffins 40-22.

Tonight's win lifts #4 Fullerton to an overall record of 6-2 and remains the only undefeated team in the Southern Conference at 4-0. The loss sets the Griffins back to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in conference.

FC put up a quick 12 points on the board in the first five minutes of the of the ball game. Fullerton took the ball on the opening drive going 51 yards in 10 plays with kicker Casey Eyman hitting on a 31-yard field goal. On the ensuing kickoff the return-man for Grossmont inadvertently hit the ball out of bounds at the 1-yardline. On The next play, defensive tackle Kourey Gabriel brought down RB Thomas McDonald in the end zone for a safety. With the Griffins forced to kickoff, the Hornets poured more salt in the wound with an 86-yard return by Marnez Ogletree (Eyman kick good).

At 10:02 in the second quarter, Fullerton made it 19-0 when QB Joey Verhaegh hit Clayton Smith on for a 30-yard touchdown strike.

Grossmont returned the favor in the following drive on a 19-yard TD run by McDonald (extra point failed).

The Hornet special teams unit struck again on the ensuing kickoff when the Griffins kicker pooched one to mid-field. TE Tim Holt took advantage using his speed to burst through the middle of the field for a 56-yard touchdown.

Down 26-6, the Griffins managed to keep themselves in the game scoring two consecutive TDs, a 1-yard plunge by QB Michael Carrillo and a 5-yard run by Paris Miller.

With a 26-19 lead, FC added another special teams TD on a fake field goal. Austin Steele took the snap and quickly tossed a 30-yard touchdown to a streaking Holt.

Grossmont tried to rally back but could only muster up a 31-yard field goal by Brandon Duarte.

The Hornets put the game away with 4:45 left in the contest on a 2-yard TD run by Jamal Sam.

It should be noted that the special teams unit nearly had four touchdowns, but a 97-yard kickoff return by Jarell Moss was called back because the referees thought a "fair catch" signal was called-- at the 3-yardline...

Up Next: Fullerton will travel south down to Saddleback College for another Southern Conference showdown on Saturday, November 1st. Kickoff will be at 6:00 pm.