OCC (4-1), most would agree, looked better on paper than it actually is, a fact that Fullerton (4-1) exposed with a series of big plays that helped it extend its division winning streak to seven games.
The Hornets produced runs of 84, 40 and 33 yards, returned a kickoff 85 yards, popped a punt return for a 41-yard touchdown, scored on a 35-yard pass and gained 39 yards on another pass.
All but one of those plays either led to, or produced a touchdown.
Led by freshman tailback Kenny Turner, who amassed 134 yards and a touchdown on 16 rushing attempts, Fullerton finished with 235 yards on the ground on 35 carries.
The Fullerton defense also held OCC sophomore tailback Ray Holley to 99 yards on 24 carries, keeping him at less than triple digits for the first time all season. Holley had averaged 177 yards on the ground in the first four games, which ranked No. 2 in the state.
Victimized by seven sacks, OCC managed just 72 net yards on the ground and used two quarterbacks to help finish with 108 yards passing.
Sophomore starter Kyle Manning was nine for 18 for 89 aerial yards, with one interception. He was replaced by freshman Ethan Whitsell late in the third quarter.
Whitsell completed two of five passes for 19 yards, but was not overly impressive.
“We talked about giving Whitsell an opportunity to take some snaps,” OCC Coach Mike Taylor said of the change. Manning entered the game with a 39.8% completion rate and is now 46 of 111 (41.4%) for 575 yards, with six interceptions and three touchdown passes through five games.
