RUSHING PAST THE RENEGADES

A strong running game by the No. 9 Hornets was on full display at home Saturday afternoon as Fullerton rushed past Bakersfield 37-0 in a SCFA Central Conference matchup.

Winning its 5^th straight game, the FC football squad is now 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Central Conference, while Bakersfield bumps down to 2-5 overall and remains winless in the Central at 0-4.

There have been some great battles on the gridiron between these two storied programs going back to 1961. It all started with Hal Sherbeck's first game as a head coach- a 50-0 home-loss against the Gades to open the 1961 season. Sherbeck later got revenge in 1964 at Bakersfield as the Hornets won the Potato Bowl 24-13. Fullerton then squeaked by the Renegades in 1967 for a 14-13 victory in the semifinals of the state playoffs before defeating American River in Anaheim Stadium 41-0 for a National Title before a crowd of over 10,000 people. The last time these two teams played one another was in 2013, a 45-23 win. Including today's victory, the Hornets now own the overall series record at 15-5.

Fullerton wasted no time getting on the board scoring on the first drive as Chris Lundsberg connected with Logan Lester for a 30-yard touchdown just over two minutes into the game. Michael Vatkin added the extra point to make it 7-0.

In the second quarter, EJ Robinson hit paydirt with a 40-yard return when David Frankling blocked a field goal. Robinson then scooped the ball up and took it to the house extending the Hornet lead to 13-0 after a missed PAT. As time expired in the first half, Nicholas Sandoval knocked down a 38-yard field goal to give Fullerton a 16-0 advantage heading into the locker room.

The Hornets kept their foot on the gas in the third quarter when Quintyn Isabell powered in for a 12-yard touchdown run at 9:26. Moments later, Ethan Charpentier scooped up a fumble and raced 65 yards to the end zone pushing the lead to 30-0.

Fullerton sealed the deal at 8:13 in the fourth when OJ Jones capped off a 75-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.

FC's rushing attack was unstoppable chewing up 313 yards on 32 carries for an average of 9.8 yards per rush. Freshman Quintyn Isabell led the way with 169 yards on 15 carries, highlighted by a 61-yard touchdown run that electrified the Hornet crowd. Fred Hunter was also explosive, rushing for 87 yards on five carries, including a 47-yard run that set up a scoring opportunity. OJ Jones contributed 25 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Jack Schierholz added another 25 yards on the ground.

Through the air, the Hornets kept Bakersfield off balance. Chris Lundsberg went 4-11 for 66 yards and a touchdown connecting with Logan Lester for a 30-yard score. Schierholz was efficient as well completing 4-6 passes for 51 yards. Receivers JT Weir (23 yards), Marc Essley II (18 yards), and Blaine Magee (17 yards) each made key grabs.

Fullerton's defense was relentless holding Bakersfield to just 302 total yards and forcing 2 turnovers in the shutout win. Ethan Charpentier led the defensive charge with 12 total tackles (4 solo, 8 assists), had 2 sacks, and a fumble recovery that he returned 65 yards. Muhammad Hassouneh added 6 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss (20 yards) and had a forced fumble, while Nehemiah Norwood contributed 5 tackles, added a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Xander Chisolm and Fred Adams tallied 5 and 6 tackles respectively.

Up Next: The No. 9 Hornets (6-1 overall, 4-0 SCFA Central Conference) will take on Pasadena City College on the road on Saturday, October 25^th for another Central Conference matchup. Kickoff will be at 6:00 pm.

*Photo by Jim McCormack