Time Runs Out for Western in Loss to Fullerton

Time ran out on Western High School Thursday night as the Pioneers’ comeback bid fell short in a 17-15 loss to Fullerton in front of 2,000 fans in Fullerton District Stadium.

The Pioneers (3-2) had the ball at Fullerton’s 13-yard line in the final seconds but couldn’t get their field goal team on the field before time expired.

Pioneer quarterback Mike Huy completed a 12-yard pass to Art Giovannini in front of the Western bench with seconds remaining. Western coaches argued that Giovannini had been tackled out of bounds, but the officials disagreed and let the clock run.

The play failed to produce a first down and Western did not have a timeout remaining, so all the Pioneers could do was watch the final seconds expire. But the Pioneers had nobody to blame but themselves for being in such a situation.

Western Coach Jim Howell had an opportunity to attempt what would have been a 37-yard field goal only a play earlier, but instead elected to try to get closer to the end zone after using his last timeout. The strategy backfired.

“I was really surprised that he didn’t try the kick after he called a timeout,” said Martin Luczaj, Fullerton coach. “We were setting up for a field goal block. I thought he was going to kick the ball.”

Howell, still fuming at the officials, said he thought that Giovannini had gotten out of bounds to stop the clock.

“We did what we were supposed to do, it’s too bad the refs didn’t see it that way,” he said. “I hate to lose one like that, but we’ll bounce back.”

Fullerton (4-1) was rolling with a 10-point lead when Western burned the Indians’ secondary with a trick play. Halfback Jim Howell, the coach’s son, took a pitchout and threw an option pass for a 74-yard touchdown play to John Fields.

When Howell scored on a two-point conversion run, the Pioneers had moved to within two, 17-15, and the momentum had shifted. After holding Fullerton to four yards on three plays, the Pioneers got one more chance.

Fullerton quarterback Aaron Acton didn’t throw until midway through the second quarter, but his first completion set up the Indians’ first touchdown. Acton teamed with Rich Burrell on 34-yard pass play that gave Fullerton a first down on Western’s six-yard line.

Fullback Ray Harrell scored two plays later on a six-yard run, breaking two tackles and keeping his balance as he crossed the goal line. Acton also set up the Indians’ second score in the second quarter.

He threw a 37-yard pass to Burrell that moved Fullerton to the Western 20-yard line and then he connected with Steve Pearson for 10 yards to move Fullerton closer to the end zone. When the drive stalled, John Gilyard kicked a 27-yard field goal and Fullerton had a 10-7 lead.

Western’s only touchdown in the first half was aided by a Fullerton personal foul. Two Indian defenders tackled Giovannini out of bounds after he had caught a 30-yard pass from Huy. The penalty pushed the Pioneers to the Fullerton 12-yard line and Huy found Fields open for a nine-yard touchdown pass three plays later.