Fullerton Football at USC
Unofficial visit and spring practice
2016 - a look back at Varsity!!
Alumni
- Alan Prieto, c/o 2013, Fullerton College
- Daniel Fells, c/o 2001, New York Giants (Ret. NFL)
- Doyin Sule, c/o 2011, Idaho University
- Greg Velazquez - Cal State Fullerton
- Jesus Nodarse, c/o 2012, Santa Ana College
- Joe Hill - Utah State
- Jordan Phillips, c/o 2013, Fullerton College
- Simon Poti- c/o 2011, University of Hawaii
In 1908 there was no interest in pigskin play at Fullerton Union High School. Finally, T. Howard Wilson recruited a squad that played two games in its first “season”: a victory over the South Pacific School of Telegraphy and a loss to Santa Ana High School, according to the school's yearbook.
The next year, the record improved with a 3-3-2. But for the next six years, there was no football at the school. Indeed, the school board didn't allow football to return to FUHS until the 1915 season when the Indians lost their first two preseason games to Pomona and Whittier High schools, but then rallied to win their league with a season-ending victory over Citrus High School.
By 1919, the student body was cheering the second straight Orange League Championship with a 41-0 win over Santa Ana High School. "Passing Wizard" Archie Hawkins and halfback Bud Smith, who "hit 'em hard and hit 'em low" were the stars.
1920s
The Indians entered the decade as the two-time defending Orange League Champions, and played their first game against Anaheim High School. Since then, the Colonists and Indians have met 47 times with Fullerton winning 26 games, including the first game by a score of 48-0. In 1921, the first four-year football letterman, George Osborne, graduated and FUHS beat Anaheim by 109-0.
The end of the decade brought Fullerton its last championship league title for 18 seasons.
1930s
The Indians changed leagues twice, going from Orange League to Foothill League and then to Sunset League. But their scoreboards during the decade didn't light any records.
One of the halfbacks, John Raitt, went on to star on the Broadway stage in such musicals as "Carousel" and "The Pajama Game.
1940s
Three new head coaches in four years arrived at FUHS, but none brought league titles.
One game in 1941 did bring national publicity when Fullerton played Jordan High School.
The visiting drill team put on quite a halftime show with fireworks. When the fireworks were going off, a fog bank moved in and covered the field. The lights were barely visible and it was decided the game would be delayed and the second half would be played the following Monday. Fullerton came back to win the game 15-7 in a match that became known as the four-day game.
1950s
With a team hailed as the greatest team ever to come out of Fullerton High, the Indians went all the way to the CIF finals. They then lost a hard battle to Compton.
Coach Gil Tucker became head coach in 1955, and kept the position until the end of the 1977 season. He holds the school record for coaching victories (120) and length of service (23 seasons). He also won six league championships including back-to-back titles in 1968-1969.
1960s
In 1964, Fullerton moved to the newly created Freeway League. The school's only defeat that season came in the first round of playoffs to San Marino, 20-0.
1970s
Following the 1974 league title led by future NFL players Keith Van Horne and Hoby Brenner, the team struggled through the remainder of the decade. Coach Tucker retired after the 1977 season, and the varsity won only six games during the next three seasons.
1980s
The hiring of Martin Luczaj as head coach for the 1981 season changed Fullerton's football fortune dramatically. Quarterback Mike Willes set a CIF record for passing yards in one game with 477 yards. In another contest, wide receiver Kevin Parry broke the county mark for receiving yardage in a game with 284 yards. And during his six years at the school, Luczaj's winning percentage was the second best in school history.
1990s
Julian Smilowitz came on the field as head coach in 1992. In 1994, Fullerton broke an 11-year losing streak and defeated arch-rival Sunny Hills 28-7. In the 90’s, the Indians won 3 League Championships. These were the years 94, 95 and 98 which also included a trip to the Semi-finals in 1995.
2000's
The 2007 season was marked with local wildfires that caused league games to be cancelled. Michael Allain's 2,294 yards of rushing and 26 touchdowns was a highlight – plus a defense that shut out opponents five times.From 2000 - 2010 the Indians had quite a bit of success as they made the playoffs every year picking up two additional League titles in 2003 and 2007. In 2001, 03 and 04 the Indians made it to the Semi-Finals while in 2007 went all the way to the Championship game. After the 2001 season Coach Smilowitz and his coaching staff were selected to coach in the North vs South All Star Game and defeated the South that year. 2008 marked the 100th anniversary of the first Fullerton Football team in 1908. The 2000's also produced to NFL football player Daniel Fells - Class of 2001 and Darren Fells - Class of 2004.
2010 - Present
In 2010 playoffs, the Indians made it to the quarter-finals. 2011 and 12 saw the Indians miss the playoffs for the first time in over 10 years. In 2013 Coach Gus Martinez and Coach Ed De Avila took over the program as Co-Head Coaches. They guided the team to the Semi-finals with wins over legendary coaches Mike Marrujo (Valencia) and John Barns (Los Alimotos) along the way. For the second time in 12 years the coaching staff was honored again to coach in the North vs South All Star Football game where they guided the North to victory snapping a 5 year losing streak by the North!
On Aug 28, 2015 the Fullerton Indians played (and proceeded to win) their 1,000th game!
GO TRIBE!
The next year, the record improved with a 3-3-2. But for the next six years, there was no football at the school. Indeed, the school board didn't allow football to return to FUHS until the 1915 season when the Indians lost their first two preseason games to Pomona and Whittier High schools, but then rallied to win their league with a season-ending victory over Citrus High School.
By 1919, the student body was cheering the second straight Orange League Championship with a 41-0 win over Santa Ana High School. "Passing Wizard" Archie Hawkins and halfback Bud Smith, who "hit 'em hard and hit 'em low" were the stars.
1920s
The Indians entered the decade as the two-time defending Orange League Champions, and played their first game against Anaheim High School. Since then, the Colonists and Indians have met 47 times with Fullerton winning 26 games, including the first game by a score of 48-0. In 1921, the first four-year football letterman, George Osborne, graduated and FUHS beat Anaheim by 109-0.
The end of the decade brought Fullerton its last championship league title for 18 seasons.
1930s
The Indians changed leagues twice, going from Orange League to Foothill League and then to Sunset League. But their scoreboards during the decade didn't light any records.
One of the halfbacks, John Raitt, went on to star on the Broadway stage in such musicals as "Carousel" and "The Pajama Game.
1940s
Three new head coaches in four years arrived at FUHS, but none brought league titles.
One game in 1941 did bring national publicity when Fullerton played Jordan High School.
The visiting drill team put on quite a halftime show with fireworks. When the fireworks were going off, a fog bank moved in and covered the field. The lights were barely visible and it was decided the game would be delayed and the second half would be played the following Monday. Fullerton came back to win the game 15-7 in a match that became known as the four-day game.
1950s
With a team hailed as the greatest team ever to come out of Fullerton High, the Indians went all the way to the CIF finals. They then lost a hard battle to Compton.
Coach Gil Tucker became head coach in 1955, and kept the position until the end of the 1977 season. He holds the school record for coaching victories (120) and length of service (23 seasons). He also won six league championships including back-to-back titles in 1968-1969.
1960s
In 1964, Fullerton moved to the newly created Freeway League. The school's only defeat that season came in the first round of playoffs to San Marino, 20-0.
1970s
Following the 1974 league title led by future NFL players Keith Van Horne and Hoby Brenner, the team struggled through the remainder of the decade. Coach Tucker retired after the 1977 season, and the varsity won only six games during the next three seasons.
1980s
The hiring of Martin Luczaj as head coach for the 1981 season changed Fullerton's football fortune dramatically. Quarterback Mike Willes set a CIF record for passing yards in one game with 477 yards. In another contest, wide receiver Kevin Parry broke the county mark for receiving yardage in a game with 284 yards. And during his six years at the school, Luczaj's winning percentage was the second best in school history.
1990s
Julian Smilowitz came on the field as head coach in 1992. In 1994, Fullerton broke an 11-year losing streak and defeated arch-rival Sunny Hills 28-7. In the 90’s, the Indians won 3 League Championships. These were the years 94, 95 and 98 which also included a trip to the Semi-finals in 1995.
2000's
The 2007 season was marked with local wildfires that caused league games to be cancelled. Michael Allain's 2,294 yards of rushing and 26 touchdowns was a highlight – plus a defense that shut out opponents five times.From 2000 - 2010 the Indians had quite a bit of success as they made the playoffs every year picking up two additional League titles in 2003 and 2007. In 2001, 03 and 04 the Indians made it to the Semi-Finals while in 2007 went all the way to the Championship game. After the 2001 season Coach Smilowitz and his coaching staff were selected to coach in the North vs South All Star Game and defeated the South that year. 2008 marked the 100th anniversary of the first Fullerton Football team in 1908. The 2000's also produced to NFL football player Daniel Fells - Class of 2001 and Darren Fells - Class of 2004.
2010 - Present
In 2010 playoffs, the Indians made it to the quarter-finals. 2011 and 12 saw the Indians miss the playoffs for the first time in over 10 years. In 2013 Coach Gus Martinez and Coach Ed De Avila took over the program as Co-Head Coaches. They guided the team to the Semi-finals with wins over legendary coaches Mike Marrujo (Valencia) and John Barns (Los Alimotos) along the way. For the second time in 12 years the coaching staff was honored again to coach in the North vs South All Star Football game where they guided the North to victory snapping a 5 year losing streak by the North!
On Aug 28, 2015 the Fullerton Indians played (and proceeded to win) their 1,000th game!
GO TRIBE!
