* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This game was a shoot-out. It was unconditionally one of the most exciting games to watch this season. It had everything. It was a nail biter; neither team trailed by more than one score at any time in the game. It went into triple overtime. It ended dramatically.

The defenses owned the first quarter. Both offenses were denied points even though they threatened to score. Then with 10:15 left in the second quarter, Fullerton drew first blood. Darius Banks threw an awesome 31 yard touchdown pass to Kenny Turner. Jake Tyler split the uprights and the scoring frenzy began.

Palomar answered five minutes later. It took them 11 plays to move the ball 66 yards for an 11 yard Nate Ong touchdown pass to Kevin Ditch. The point after was good and the score was knotted at seven points apiece.

It almost seems like an oxymoron to say the defenses dominated a game and still call it a shoot-out, but that is what happened. Neither team could score until the last minute of the second quarter. Fullerton’s next response came when they moved the ball 62 yards in seven plays. This time, however, they had to settle for three and Fullerton headed for the lockers with a 10-7 halftime lead.

The third quarter was a continuation of the second: once again, the defenses dominated. Palomar was the only one to light up the score board in this quarter, and did so with only 40 seconds left. Ditch kicked a 34 yard field goal and the score was again knotted at ten points apiece.

Both offenses found their groove in the fourth quarter. Both teams scored 14 points apiece.

Palomar was first to strike when Ong connected with Saalim Hakim for the touchdown. Shah Pourfallah tried to punch it in for two points but failed, so Palomar took a 16-10 lead.

Fullerton answered immediately with a Banks to Dunford 17 yard touchdown pass. The point after was good and Palomar was in a precarious position because they trailed by one point – Fullerton 17, Palomar 16.

Palomar, nevertheless, strikes quickly. The ensuing kickoff was returned 94 yards for the touchdown by Orenzo Davis. Ong connected with Andre Upgrow for the two point conversion and Palomar regains a seven point lead at 24-17.

Both teams struggle until the final minute of the game. Fullerton got the ball on their 19 yard line with 1:12 left on the clock. The first play of the drive garners them 34 yards with a Banks to Donald Ware pass. On the next play of the drive, Kenny Turner breaks free for a 14 yard gain, and then on third and ten Turner again gains 21 yards on the ground to the Palomar 12.

The clock was ticking. The crowd was nervous. The Fullerton coaches are frenetically barking instructions into their headsets. It’s fourth and ten and there was 16 seconds left on the clock. They have no more time-outs. The center snaps the ball but not cleanly. Banks has to adjust and Palomar was breathing down his neck. He flings the ball to Dunsford who was two yards from the goal line. The Palomar defender has him – it seems. They both fall to the ground and hit the pylon. At least two or three seconds pass. The umpire was standing over and looking down down at the two players who are still wrestling for the ball. Then he slowly raises his arms.

TOUCHDOWN! The point after was good and the game goes into overtime.

Overtime in college is different from the pros. Each team gets an opportunity to score in each overtime period. If they both score the same number of points in the current overtime period, an additional overtime period begins until one team wins.

A team can attempt a field goal (for three points) but, if they make the three points and the other team scores a touchdown, the game is over.

In the first two overtime periods, the team is allowed a point after kick if they score a touchdown. Beginning with the third overtime period, if a team scores a touchdown they must go for two points instead of a point after kick.

This game went into three overtime periods.

In the first overtime period neither team could get into the end zone. Both teams tried for three points, but failed.

In the second overtime period, Fullerton chipped away at Palomar’s defense. On second and goal from the Palomar 7 yard line, Banks connected with Joseph Florence for the touchdown, however, the point after kick was missed. Palomar can win the game by one point if they make the touchdown and the point after. The score is Fullerton 30, Palomar 24.

Palomar wastes no time at all: on the first play from scrimmage, Orenzo Davis rushed 25 yards for the touchdown and the game was knotted, once again, at 30 points apiece. The game was on the line: Ditch can extend Palomar’s season. The snap was good, the ball was placed well, the kick is up – the ball hit the wind flag hanging on the right upright – he missed by inches and there will be no more point after attempts today. The score is now tied at 30 points apiece.

In the third OT Palomar gained 13 yards on two plays before the offense stalled. Fullerton is taxed 10 yards for pass interference which gave Palomar the ball on the two yard line with a first and ten. On second and goal Orenzo Davis punched it in for six points; Javon Reynolds follows suit with two points. Palomar took a 38-30 lead and Fullerton either scores eight points or the season is over.

Fullerton got down to business rapidly: Turner rushed for seven yards; Banks connected with David Moriel for nine yards; and Turner again ran the ball nine yards for the touchdown. Fullerton was down by two and they must make the conversion. Banks decided to keep the ball and broke to his right, but saw a sea of Palomar players. He reversed his course but was grabbed by three Palomar defensive players and was literally stopped an inch from the goal line. The game is over. The final score: Palomar 38, Fullerton 36.

Palomar will meet Mt. SAC for the Southern California Championship next week in Walnut.