Fullerton, behind big night by Dylan Neal, captures 56-22 Freeway League win over Troy

Fullerton High players celebrate after Friday’s Freeway League victory. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone)

The formalities are over. It’s time for the main event.

And that would be Fullerton High vs. Sunny Hills next Friday night at Buena Park High School in the city championship.

Sunny Hills defeated Troy, the third team in Fullerton, a week ago and Friday night senior quarterback Dylan Neal threw six touchdown passes and ran for a score as Fullerton used a dominating second half to down the Warriors 56-22.

Based on comparative scores, Friday’s game should be a classic. After dropping an overtime decision to Freeway League power La Habra in its opener, Fullerton has come on to win its last three games decisively. Sunny Hills, which defeated Sonora, 55-7, Friday night, is 4-0 on the season.

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For a while Friday, Fullerton had little time to think about anything expect Troy. The winless Warriors started Shane Simpson at quarterback and startled the Indians by taking leads they did not relinquish until the last play of the half.

Simpson, normally a linebacker, threw TD passes to Joseph Park in the first quarter and another to Isaac Torosian in the second as the Warriors built 8-7 and 15-14 leads.

“I knew he (Simpson) was an athlete,” Fullerton Coach Richard Salazar said. “And that (TDs) is what happens when you get an athlete the ball. They make plays.”

Unfortunately for the upset-minded Warriors, Fullerton has a star at quarterback and the senior Neal ultimately was just too much for Troy.

Trailing by a point with 1:59 to play in the half, Neal drove the Indians 65 yards with Ryan Knight scoring from inside the one as time expired to give Fullerton a 21-15 intermission advantage.

In the third quarter, reality set in for Simpson and the Warriors.

“We started matching up, kept everything in front of us and just started making plays,” Salazar said. 

And while Neal put on quite a show in the third quarter, he can thank his defense for providing the opportunities. 

The Indians forced four turnovers in the third quarter, recovering a fumble and intercepting three passes, two by Mason Calvillo and one by Roscoe Carter. Neal put explanation points on the effort by running for one touchdown and throwing TD passes to Bryce Mays and Ty Dillon as well. Jake Romero caught a fourth-quarter TD.

Troy’s third score came on the first play of the fourth quarter when sophomore quarterback Ryan Maturo threw a 65-yard pass to Isaac Torosian, who caughtshort pass over the middle and won the sprint to the end zone.

If things weren’t tough enough for the Warriors, they lost their standout running back/defensive back Lukas Mucino to a leg injury with two minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Story courtesy Jim McCormack for OC Sports Zone.