Fullerton’s Defense Stands Tall

On a night when its potent offense struggled to move the ball, the Fullerton defense picked up the slack in a 7-0 victory over visiting Bellflower Friday night.

The Indians (3-0), who scored 74 points in their first two games, finally reached the end zone in the third quarter. Starting on its own 46 midway through the quarter, Fullerton marched down the field in 10 plays, converting two crucial fourth-down plays on the way.

Quarterback Michael Echaves, who was under constant pressure from the Bellflower defensive line, capped the drive with a 21-yard touchdown strike to tight end Jack Thompson on fourth and two, with four minutes left in the quarter.

The defense did the rest, limiting the Buccaneers (0-3) to 60 yards. Bellflower’s deepest penetration into Indian territory was the 29-yard line.

Running backs Gerren Brantley and Dustin Sober combined to carry the ball 18 times for 29 yards in place of Ryan Murray, who sat out the second half with a shoulder injury. Echaves completed seven of 23 passes for 68 yards, with one touchdown.

Bellflower quarterbacks Michael Mann and Ramon Figueroa combined for 39 yards on four of 14 passing.