By John M. Sherrard
(Walnut, CA) Two top teams met on a perfect fall day, but the CCCAA state No. 1-ranked Fullerton Hornets came away with the, 49-23, victory over Mt. SAC in a National Division game at Yorba Linda High School.
Fullerton (4-0), ranked No. 1 in the nation by JCGridiron.com, came out quick scoring twice in the first six minutes to take a, 14-0, lead followed by a third touchdown five minutes later and the Mounties never recovered.
Mt. SAC (3-1), however, never quit as they trailed, 42-7, early in the fourth quarter but scored two touchdowns and a safety for 16 points for the final score,42-23.
"We've been on both sides of it," Mt. SAC coach Bob Jastrab said. "It's a game of momentum and you can't do that to great teams. We can't afford to make the penalties and have the turnovers."
"I'm frustrated with our start (in the game) and you're not going to recover against a team like that."
"My hat's off to Tim (Byrnes)", Fullerton Head Coach.
Mt. SAC was led by sophomore quarterback Richard Stammetti who threw for a game-high 216 yards, completing 20 of 31 passes. Stammetti relieved freshman starter Jaiave Magalei, who injured his ankle late in the first half.
Magalei was 12 of 21 for 176 yards and a 40-yard touchdown to sophomore wide receiver Emetrious Scott. Scott led all receivers in the game with eight catches for 114 yards.
The speedy Scott, who caught a short pass over the middle and outraced the defense, scored the TD late in the first quarter after Fullerton led, 21-0.
"We're going to take this game and put it in our pocket and we're not going away," Scott said. "We're going to see them in the Southern California Championships."
Trailing, 42-7, in the fourth quarter, Mountie sophomore running back Malcolm Ballard culminated an 80-yard, 10-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.
After a Fullerton TD, Mt. SAC was driving for a possible score but Stammetti fumbled and Fullerton recovered the ball at their own 2-yard line.
On the next play for Fullerton, Mt. SAC sophomore linebacker Walen Te'o tackled the Hornets QB in the endzone for a safety, to trail, 42-16.
After the kickoff the Mounties added one last score on the first play from scrimmage as freshman quarterback Steven Nava tossed a 55-yard TD pass to freshman wide receiver Chris Jackson (6 receptions, 108 yards) with 2:05 left in the game.
One bright spot on the defensive side of the ball were four sacks of the Fullerton quarterbacks by the Mounties.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.