TURNED UPSIDE DOWN

In a key SCFA Central matchup, the No. 6 Football Hornets traveled down the 91 Freeway to take on No. 15 Cerritos College and were stunned by the Falcons 19-17 on a last second field goal.

The loss bumps Fullerton to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Central and deals a major blow to the Hornet's chance of challenging for the SCFA Central title. The Cerritos win lifts the team to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Central.

There has been a local rivalry between the Falcons and Hornets that began in 1959 with Cerritos winning that one 34-6. Before tonight, the last time these two teams played against each other was in 2022, and the Falcons flew away with the win at FC 32-24. Despite dropping the last two games against Cerritos, Fullerton still owns the all-time series record at 25-19-3.

The Hornets managed to come back late in the game grabbing a 17-16 lead with two and a half minutes left in the game. Cerritos had other plans moving the ball down the field to get within field goal range. With three second left, Jonathan Arreola kicked in the game winner from 36 yards out.

Fullerton drew first blood midway through the first quarter when Fred Hunter powered in for an 11-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good giving FC a 7-0 lead. Cerritos responded quickly on an 80-yard drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass from Jeremiah Calvin to Charles Clinton II.

The Falcons grabbed momentum in the second quarter, as Calvin connected with Malachi Wright on a 23-yard touchdown strike to make it 14-7. The Hornets cut into the lead just before halftime with a clutch 24-yard field goal sending both teams to their respective locker rooms with Cerritos leading 14-10.

Both defenses dominated much of the second half as Cerritos added two points on a team safety early in the fourth quarter that extending the Falcon's lead to 16-10.

Fullerton battled back when quarterback Chris Lundsberg set up his one-yard rushing touchdown with a 46-yard pass to JT Weir.  The extra point gave the Hornets a 17-16 advantage with just over two minutes to play.

The Falcons capitalized on their final possession driving deep enough into Hornet territory for Arreola's game-winning kick as time expired.

FC quarterback Chris Lundsberg led the Hornet passing attack going 12 for16 for 157 yards. JT Weir finished with 3 receptions for 76 yards. Jack Schierholz added 36 yards through the air on 5-7 passing while also rushing for 56 yards on 10 carries. Fred Hunter was the team rushing leader with 86 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

Defensively, Hornet linebacker Ethan Charpentier turned in a monster performance with 18 total tackles (9 solo) and a half tackle for loss. Nathan Lewis added 10 tackles and a key interception that he returned 23 yards.

Up Next: The No. 6 Hornets (7-2 overall, 5-1 SCFA Central Conference) will look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they host against No. 1 in state Golden West College (9-0, 6-0) at Sherbeck Field on Saturday, November 8^th. Kickoff is at 12:00 pm. The game is dedicated to the memory of Hornet coaching great Al Feola, who will be remembered and honored at halftime with the dedication of the Field House Locker Room that will bear his name.

 *Photo by Kaysea Luna