Fullerton’s Defense Rises to Occasion, 24-17

Fullerton College, the top-ranked community college football team in the state, remained undefeated Saturday night, but it took another outstanding performance by the Hornets’ defense.

Rancho Santiago drove to the Fullerton 2 in the final minute, but Fullerton stood strong to save a 24-17 victory in a Mission Conference game in front of 5,000 at Fullerton District Stadium.

Rancho Santiago took over on its 28 with 7:31 left to play. The Dons’ steady drive reached the Fullerton 3 on a first-down, 9-yard run by Alvin Price with 56 seconds left.

Quarterback Eric Turner then threw an incomplete pass on second down to stop the clock. On third down, running back Mike Miscione tried the right side but was pushed out of bounds by most of the Fullerton defense for a 6-yard loss.

On fourth down with 30 seconds left and the crowd standing on both sides of the stadium, Turner dropped back to pass but was sacked by a blitzing Wes Flowers, Brian Healy and Kevin Capps.

“They said go get him, and I went and got him,” said Flowers, a sophomore outside linebacker. “It was a dream to make the big play in an important game like this.”

Fullerton is 3-0 in the Central Division of the Mission Conference and tied for first with Saddleback. Rancho Santiago is 2-1 and plays Saddleback Saturday. Fullerton is at Riverside Saturday, then plays at Saddleback on the final Saturday of the season.

“I was sure we were going to score,” Rancho Santiago Coach Dave Ogas said. “That’s what you want to have--a chance late in the game. They just guessed right and blitzed us.”

Fullerton had taken a 24-14 lead in the third quarter when Jeff Andrews scored on a 1-yard run. Andrews had 164 yards in 37 carries to set a single-season record for yardage at Fullerton: 1,141 yards with 2 games left. Andrew Greer rushed for 1,119 yards last season.

“It’s fun to win a big game like this,” Fullerton Coach Hal Sherbeck said. “You prepare hard and to see the kids suck it up in the end is what makes it fun.”

Fullerton led, 17-7, at halftime, but Rancho Santiago cut the deficit to 17-14 on a 64-yard scoring pass from Turner to wide receiver Paul Peters with 10:52 left in the third quarter.

After the Andrews score later in the third quarter, Rancho Santiago’s Tim Snitko kicked a 21-yard field goal early in the fourth.

The first-half score could have been closer if not for a dropped pass.

Peters broke past 2 Fullerton defenders but could not hang on to what would been a 41-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Eric Turner.

On the next play, Fullerton’s Dorian Estes intercepted a Turner pass at the Fullerton 12. Estes had 2 interceptions in the half.

Four plays later, Victor Williams connected with Tim Imperiali on the left sideline for a 66-yard touchdown. Imperiali, who was being covered one-on-one, got past the defender and caught the ball at the Rancho Santiago 30, then raced in to put Fullerton ahead, 17-0, with 9:30 left in the half.

Rancho Santiago’s score came when Miscione changed direction and ran 41 yards with 5:41 left in the half. Miscione gained 97 yards in 21 carries.

Fullerton opened the scoring on a 47-yard field goal by Kirk Hainline early in the first quarter.

Williams completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ray Pallares with 14:55 left in the second quarter for a 10-0 lead.

Williams was 9 of 20 for 200 yards with an interception, and Turner was 14 of 29 for 169 yards with 2 interceptions.