HORNETS WIN THE WESTERN STATE BOWL

 HORNETS WIN THE WESTERN STATE BOWL: Fullerton College, the #8 team in the south hosted and held off #7 Citrus College 31-24 Saturday night at Fullerton District Stadium.

The Hornets (7-4 overall, 5-1 conference) ended their season on a hot streak winning 5 games straight winning the 90th Key to the County game, earning a share of the National Southern Division, and taking the Western State Bowl.

The 1st Quarter was scoreless as both teams jockeyed for position on the water soaked field. FC drew first blood scoring on a 39-yard strike from Conor Bednarski to Eli Pleasant. Jesse Aguilar's point after kick was good (14:29).

Citrus came pounding back scoring on a 4-yard by Phillip Sainz tying the game at 7-7 after Isaiah Kepley's point after went through the uprights (11:02).

Tied 7-7 going into the second half, FC scored again at the 12:34 mark on a 34-yard pass from Bednarski to Ryan Longoria. Aguilar's point after was good.

The Hornets quickly scored again within two minutes when FC defensive lineman Andre Mckinnon blocked a punt allowing Najee James to pick it up and take it 52 yards to the Citrus end zone. Aguilar's kick was good (10:07).

The Owls struck back scoring on a 16-yard pass from Bernard Porter to Michael Ball. Kepley's kick was good (8:15).

With the score 21-10, Fullerton added a small cushion to their lead on a 21-yard field goal by Aguilar. Now with a 24-10 lead with 30 seconds left in the 3rd Quarter, FC would feel the heat from the Owls heading into the 4th Quarter.

With 13:00 left to play, Citrus RB Phillip Saenz broke free on a 27-yard TD run cutting the FC lead down to four at 21-17.

The game became a shoving match peppered with penalties, until RB Jamison Sterns punched it in from the 1-yard line giving the Hornets some breathing room at 31-24.

 With 2:35 left in the game, the Owls marched down the field to the Hornet 19 yardline. At fourth and two and the Owls desperate to tie the game, FC's Jake Houts dropped Citrus' running back for a 5-yard loss to end the threat.

From there, Fullerton ran out the clock to earn the bowl game win.

Offensive Player of the Game:  QB (Citrus College) Bernard Porter 32-57-0 302 yards with 1 TD.

Defensive Player of the Game: LB Jake Houts (Fullerton College) 11 tackles (7 solo/4 assisted)

MVP of the Game: RB Jamison Sterns (Fullerton College) 15 carries for 84 yards and 1 TD.