UNDEFEATED CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

The No. 5 Hornets completed the 2022 regular season at home Saturday night becoming the SCFA Southern Conference Champions after dismantling No. 4 Golden West College 26-6. 

In stark contrast to the title game at Golden West last season, the Hornets avenged that loss with a convincing win claiming their first conference title under head coach Garrett Campell. 

The last couple of seasons have been tough games against the Rustlers, however the all-time series heavily favors FC 33-11 after the win tonight. The first time Golden West met was in 1966, which was a 37-6 victory for Hal Sherbeck's Hornets. 

The first quarter of the game was like watching two heavyweight fighters size one another up ending in a 0-0 stalemate. 

The second quarter had a shining star for Fullerton in kicker Jonathan Fobear, who booted in three huge field goals from 41, 39, and 44 yards out. Up on the Rustlers 9-0, a blocked punt by Kasyus Kurns netted the ball for the Hornets at the GWC 7-yardline with 27 seconds left until halftime. Two plays later, QB Josh Calvin found Will Gipson in the endzone from 3-yards out for the first touchdown of the game putting FC up a healthy 16-0. 

The third quarter mirrored the first as neither team was able to score. Although the Hornets were driving near the end of the quarter, the 9-play drive ended at 14:50 in the fourth with another Jonathan Fobear field goal from 30-yards out.  

Holding a 19-0 lead at the top of the fourth quarter, the FC defense forced a three-and-out. Jordan Smith's masterful 40-yard punt return for a touchdown was called back for holding. Fullerton ended up starting the drive from the Golden West 30-yardline and made it count driving the ball down to the 5-yardline thanks to two big runs by Tyrell Greene Jr. From there, QB Brandon Nunez took it to the house putting FC up 26-0. 

With the game winding down, the Rustlers managed to get the ball across the goalline on a pretty 32-yard touchdown pass from QB Ui Ale to Nick Kennewell at 7:40. The PAT kick failed. 

The Hornet defense took over shutting down any last-minute Rustler heroics holding their opponent to 45 yards rushing and 175 yards passing. By the time Fullerton got the ball back with just over a minute left, it was time to get into victory formation and burn the rest of the time on clock for the victory. 

Prior to the game, many former FJC footballers from years past (1961 and up) got together to remember the good times at Fullerton and to cheer on the present-day players for Homecoming. At halftime, those legendary Hornets gathered on the field and were honored. 

This was the 27th conference title for the Fullerton College football program. The first title was earned back in 1953. 

Up Next: Fullerton (9-1 overall, 5-0 Southern Conference) will find out its fate this coming week of who they will be playing in the CCCAA State Playoffs. Stay tuned!