Chacon Gets Fullerton Rolling

The Fullerton High School football team picked an opportune time to score more points than it had since early last season.

If Daniel Chacon hadn’t accounted for three touchdowns and Leo De La Torre two, the Indians might not have been able to defeat Anaheim, 33-22, in a nonleague game at Fullerton.

It is the 10th time in 11 years Fullerton has beaten Anaheim in their traditional opener, but for much of the game, it seemed as if a tiny running back from Anaheim was going to run away with the game.

On his second carry, Che Garcia, a 5-foot-8, 150-pound player whose last season ended when he broke his wrist in the first league game, ran 75 yards for the touchdown that tied the score, 7-7. Garcia started through the middle of the line of scrimmage before darting to the outside and outrunning his fading pursuers.

“He is as quick a kid as I’ve seen in a long time,” Fullerton Coach Pat Ward said. “Thank God we got some points on the board, because we couldn’t keep up with him.”

The Indians (1-0) got those points in a hurry and with the help of some Anaheim turnovers.

On Anaheim’s possession to open the game, quarterback Phillip Covarrubias bobbled the snap, and the Indians recovered at the Anaheim 25. Six grinding running plays later, Fullerton quarterback Daniel Chacon scored on a nine-yard bootleg scramble.

Chacon had a dazzling performance, rushing nine times for 85 yards and two first-half touchdowns and completing five of nine passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. He also intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter to wrap up the victory.

Garcia scored on an 18-yard run early in the second half to cut the Fullerton lead to 14-13, and running back Brian Diaz scored with 5 minutes 49 seconds remaining in the third quarter to cut the lead to 33-22.

But early in the fourth quarter, Anaheim was driving and on the Fullerton eight when Garcia missed a pitch that was slightly behind him. Fullerton recovered, and although Anaheim had a couple more chances, Fullerton was never again threatened.