2008 Woodie Awards
Hornets 'Upset' in Overtime by Pirates
Fullerton drops a heart breaking overtime loss to Orange Coast 34-35.
Robert Cooper, Jr.
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Sports
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On a gutsy call in double overtime, Pirates Head Coach Mike Taylor elected to go for two and the win instead of settling for a tie to head into a third overtime. Quarterback Chris Debowski found wide receiver Nathan Barnett in the end zone and converted the two-point play, beating the Hornets 35-34 Saturday night at LeBard Stadium.
"Obviously we struggled a little bit kicking PATs and field goals, we need to work that out," said Orange Coast Head Coach Mike Taylor. "We could have kept going forever and ever. I figured if we got a touchdown, let's just make a decision and go for it."
As for Fullerton (5-2, 1-1) this was the most important game of the season according Assistant Head Coach Tim Byrnes. With three games to play, two of those against Palomar (6-1, 2-0) and El Camino (6-1, 2-0), two Mission Conference powerhouses, the Hornets cannot afford to lose games they should win. The loss makes it that much harder for a playoff berth.
"I'm very disappointed, I think we made too many mistakes, we can't do that," Byrnes said.
Fullerton had problems with substitutions throughout the game. From the 1-yard line, two consecutive too-many-men-on-the field penalties forced the Hornets to settle for a field goal. It also plagued the defense, on a 4th and 7, another substitution penalty allowed Orange Coast (3-4, 1-1) to not only get the fourth down conversion, but cap the drive with a Debowski touchdown run.
"Too many penalties, that is for the coaches and players, both of us," Byrnes said. "Both players and coaches just made too many mistakes. If we make too many mistakes, we lose the football game, and if we don't make mistakes we win the football game."
The problems did not stop there. Hornets quarterback Kyle Olson did not complete a pass until 5:40 left in the first half. He finished the first half 4 of 13, with 52 yards and an interception. Olson finished the game 14 of 31 for 155 yards with a touchdown pass and the interception.
To counter Olson's play, Fullerton running back Brandon Edwards ran through the Pirates defense to start the game. He had 106 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter alone. He left the game with an injury for the remainder of the first half, but returned in the second half gaining 90 yards and two more scores. Edwards totaled for 196 yards on 30 carries and 3 touchdowns.
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