Marquis Avery Sets School Record in Dramatic Fashion

Fullerton was down by five, with just 1:45 left on the clock. Hornets quarterback Kyle Olson connected with wide receiver Marquis Avery in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown pass, which ultimately cost the Cougars an 18-point lead and the win.

That play gave Avery his record breaking fifteenth reception of the game. Those 15 catches breaks the school record for receptions in a game, previously held by Jeff Weber and Vince Wilson with 13. The record stood for 14 years. He finished with 161 yards and three touchdowns. He is on pace to shatter the record for receptions in a season, through two games he has 23 catches. The current record is 63 held by Wilson.

"I didn't realize I broke the record until after the game, it was crazy." Avery said. "I'm out there working hard to get open."

That play capped an unanswered 19-point rally in the fourth quarter to help the Hornets squeak past College of the Canyons in a come-from-behind victory 32-31 Saturday night at Cougar Stadium.

"It takes two to tango, yeah sure we came back to win," said Hornet Head Coach Gene Murphy. "But [Canyons] took the accelerator off on us in the fourth quarter."

As both teams combined for 904 yards offensively, it seems obvious that offense would be the key to the Hornets victory. Not so. It was special teams. On the ensuing kickoff, Cougars running back Raphael Reynolds fumbled the ball resulting in a turnover and Fullerton was able to eat up the clock.

Fullerton kicker Carlos Reyes nailed a 44 and 27-yard field goal, and kicked and recovered an onside kick early in the last quarter of play.

"I couldn't get it down at practice. I just kept doing it over and over." Reyes said. "I just try my best to do my job making the field goals and making good solid kicks."

Fullerton (2-0) made it a one-possession game by successfully recovering the kick that led to a score. It brought the Hornets within striking distance 31-26.

"The game wasn't about offense or defense," Murphy said. "It was special teams."

Fullerton Freshman Lee Aguirre had a blocked punt and two interceptions. "We have been basing the whole week on special teams," Aguirre said. "Someone blocked the outside guy and got me free, and I laid out and blocked the ball."

Olson was 30 of 46 for 301 yards and three touchdown passes. Fullerton running backs Andrew Herard, Brandon Edwards, and Justin Guzman combined for 136 yards on the ground.

Olson and Avery were responsible for three of the four Hornet touchdowns, and ironically all three were from six yards out. Thru the first two games it appears that the two have good chemistry.

"Our chemistry has carried over from last year," Avery said. "We've talked about being the senior guys that are going to have to make an impact on our team this year."

In the third quarter the Cougars (1-1) took an 18-point lead with two rushing touchdowns from running back Fred Winborn. He scored from 18 and 5-yards out.Before all the drama unfolded at games end, the first quarter showed a game knotted up at 10-10.

It didn't take the Hornets long to score. Freshman Matt Estrada took the opening kickoff 92 yards to pay dirt 12 seconds into the game. The Cougars took notice and answered the bell. On their first possession Canyons quarterback Andrew Miramontes found wide receiver Hayo Carpenter for a 54-yard touchdown pass. In the second quarter the Cougars would take the lead with another touchdown. This time on a 44-yard pass from Miramontes to Sophomore Jovonne Augustus.

Canyons led going into the break 17-13.

Despite blowing the 18-point lead, the Canyons offense was able run the football effectively against the Hornets defense. Two Cougar tailbacks each had 100 yards. Raphael Reynolds had 140 yards on 16 carries and Winborn carried the ball 11 times for 99 yards.

"I don't know if anybody else is going to beat College of the Canyons this year to be honest with you." Murphy said.

For the second consecutive week the Hornet defense seemed susceptible to the deep ball, giving up the 54 and 44-yard touchdown passes from Miramontes. In two games this season the Hornets have given up six passes of 25 yards or more, three of which resulted in touchdowns.

This week the Hornets take on the Dons of Santa Ana, who have started the season 0-2, in one of the longest running rivalries in the state of California. This will be the 85th meeting between these two storied schools. Every year these schools play for the "Key to the County", winner takes both the key and bragging rights. The Dons own both right now.

Fullerton will look to change that this week.

"We need to get that key back." Avery said.