Grossmont Recovers Fumble, Beats Fullerton

Offensive lineman Mike Bartlett recovered running back Kevin Parris’ fumble in the end zone with 1 minute 27 seconds remaining to lift Grossmont College to a 28-27 victory over host Fullerton in a Mission Conference game Saturday night.

Grossmont (1-5-1), which rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit, ended a five-game losing streak. Bartlett’s touchdown came after Parris attempted to score on a run from the Fullerton two.

The Griffins trailed, 24-7, at the half before launching their rally late in the third quarter. Running back Robert Hamilton caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chad DeGrenier to cut the Fullerton lead to 24-14 with 4:09 to go in the third.

The Hornets (1-6), who scored 24 points in the second quarter, got a 36-yard field goal from Chris Prater with 18 seconds remaining in the third but failed to score again.

DeGrenier’s 31-yard touchdown run with 12:28 remaining pulled Grossmont to within 27-21 before Bartlett scored the winner.

The game was marred by penalties. Fullerton had 13 for 109 yards, Grossmont 10 for 100.