FULLERTON – Uniforms were fancier than Fullerton High’s success Friday night.
Four straight-ahead rushing touchdowns, no impactful defensive turnovers, just a workmanlike 34-0 nonleague defeat of visiting Cypress for the Indians.
They achieved it in vibrant, red-camouflage jerseys, worn as a tribute to the United States armed forces, and by executing their game plan.
Fullerton (2-0) kept the ball on the ground for 11 of its first 17 offensive plays en route to building a three-touchdown lead in the first quarter. It was ignited early when Marcus Roberson ran free for a 42-yard score before the game was even three minutes old.
“We’re not going to try to prove what we’re capable of to the newspapers or anyone else,” Indians left guard Andrew Ledezma said. “This week of practice from the opening minute was about executing for ourselves and proving to ourselves who we are.”
The inexperienced Centurions (0-2), last season a senior-laden version that beat Fullerton, constantly struggled to get their timing with the ball. They’d be wise to emulate the Indians.
Fullerton quarterback Jordan Lawton gained 37 yards on his first three carries and finished with 99 yards passing. Lawton completed 8 of his 15 attempts to five different receivers and found Dylan Nicholson for a 14-yard touchdown with two seconds left in the first half to put the Indians up 28-0.
Roberson, whom Fullerton is expecting to perform on both sides of the ball this season, surprisingly carried the ball only three times and still totaled 88 yards. Ledezma constantly provided a push on the left side and helped Roberson get his lone touchdown and Tavion Davis his 25-yard scoring run.
In between, returning starting running back Ryan Rains had a 5-yard touchdown carry to highlight his comeback from an injury that kept him out of last week’s season-opening win. Arturo Bravo ended up as the team’s most consistent performer with 54 yards on seven carries.
“Tonight I’m most pleased about seeing so many players getting in the game, showing they’re healthy and showing good rhythm outside of practice,” Fullerton co-coach Gus Martinez said.
Cypress did get some flair from quarterback Andrew Khiev, who evaded tacklers well throughout the night to finish with 42 yards on 10 carries.
