Weekly Hornet

Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Matt Brown

The Hornets put themselves in position for yet another comeback, but this time there would be no dramatic come-from-behind victory. Instead, they were left wondering if the fourth quarter magic had run dry.

It was a battle of undefeated teams on the gridiron as No. 5 Fullerton took on No. 2 Saddleback in Mission Viejo on Saturday night. The Gauchos, not the Hornets remained unbeaten as they came out on top with a 24-17 win.

"I never felt comfortable against Fullerton, especially this team, they are finding ways to win in the fourth quarter," said Gauchos Head Coach Mark McElroy. "I didn't want it close in the fourth and it was."

It read 2:36 on the clock as Fullerton kicker Carlos Reyes nailed a 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, which put the Hornets (3-1,1-1) within a touchdown of Saddleback. All they needed was the ball back.

"There is no doubt I thought we could have had a shot to comeback," said Hornets Assistant Head Coach Tim Byrnes. "Kicking that field goal, I thought 'just get the ball back to Kyle [Olson].' We've been doing it all year, you give them any ticks on that clock they'll find a way to do something."

It almost worked until Gauchos quarterback Brian Shrock found wide receiver Maurice Clark for a first down with 1:31 to play that iced the game for Saddleback.

"They make a great call and their quarterback makes a great play on third down," Byrnes said. "He just makes a great pass, and that takes balls for them to do it."

The Gauchos went on the attack and scored 17 points in the second quarter, while keeping the Hornets off the board.

Saddleback (4-0,2-0) sustained a drive of 71 yards on seven plays capped off with a 2-yard touchdown run by 260-pound freshman running back Josh Ferrell.

The second score was on a Shrock 40-yard touchdown pass to Clark in the end zone that gave the Gauchos a 14-7 lead.
Saddleback increased the lead when kicker Eric Carr kicked a 21-yard field goal with 3:08 to play in the third.

Fullerton drew first blood in the first quarter to go up 7-0 on running back Brandon Edward's 19-yard run. It would be the third quarter before Fullerton struck again. Hornets running back Brandon Minor broke for a 27-yard run that took him into the end zone, which cut the Saddleback lead to 17-14.

"I thought our defense bent, bent, bent, and didn't break," McElroy said. "I have to hand it to them I thought they played great defense and offense tonight."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools