PREP EXTRA / FRIDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : Fullerton Shares League Title as Troy’s Collapse Continues

In a word, Fullerton persevered while Troy imploded. Which is why the Indians are making plans for their first postseason appearance in seven years.

Two touchdowns and 134 rushing yards by senior back Christopher Young were enough to propel Fullerton past the staggering Warriors, 14-7, in front of 600 Thursday at Fullerton. The victory gives the Indians (6-4, 3-2 in league) a share of the Freeway League title with Buena Park, Sonora and Sunny Hills, and their first Southern Section playoff berth since 1987.

Young also joined the growing list of county backs this season to rush for more than 1,000 yards; he has 1,092.

“This means a lot to the school,” Indian Coach Julian Smilowitz said. “It’s been a long drought.”

For Troy (6-4, 2-3) the season ended on a bitter note. The Warriors--who could claim Rancho Alamitos and Costa Mesa among their victims--dropped three of their last four games to drop out of playoff contention. But when you fumble four times--losing two--are intercepted twice and collect 80 yards in penalties, it’s hard to sustain offense.

“We didn’t deserve to win,” a disappointed Warrior Coach John Turek said. “Not when you make the kind of mistakes we did. And that’s been the story of our lives the past three weeks.”

Only once did the Warriors break through the Indians’ defense. Ryl Relatores, back for the first time after a three-week absence because of injury, bolted 32 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter--the first time Fullerton has been scored on in the third quarter this season.

But the Indians, starting out with a first and 26 on their 13 after a clipping penalty, still took the ball downfield with Young racing around right end for the final 19 yards and a touchdown. He scored off the same play in the second quarter, but then it was from nine yards.

“Each time the play was designed to go off-tackle,” Young said. “But our line really crunched them, and I was able to go outside.”

Troy running back Larry Montgomery--wearing uniform No. 41 instead of 31 because his old jersey was tattered and could not be replaced--rushed for 106 yards but had two fumbles.

Troy enjoyed the better field position in the first half, but had three drives stopped by two fumbles and an interception.

Starting quarterback Kevin Gray completed only one pass for the Warriors, and that did not come about until Troy’s second-to-last drive of the game.