Career likely ends for Whitworth senior receiver Anthony Fullman

Whitworth senior receiver Anthony Fullman told other teammates that he should be back soon after he caught five balls for 105 yards in the 39-20 win over La Verne last Saturday.

But Fullman suffered a broken collarbone that will likely end his career with the Pirates.

“He’s such a talented player,” coach Rod Sandberg said. “He loved to play. He loved the game, and that has been taken away.”

Fullman transferred to Whitworth (2-0) in 2013 after starting two years for Santa Barbara (California) City College. But he injured a foot before the first game and was given a medical hardship and had his year of eligibility restored.

He returned in 2014 and had 36 catches for 486 yards in nine games. He was second on the team with seven touchdowns and averaged a team-best 13.5 yards per catch among those players who played at least nine games.

An outside speed threat, Fullman caught three touchdowns among four catches in the season-opening 47-11 win over Whittier.

Last Saturday, Fullman had four receptions for 86 yards, including a nifty catch and run for 50 yards, before halftime. He came out of halftime in a sling.

“He’s such a good kid,” Sandberg said. “He’s a semester away from getting a Whitworth degree. A college degree will take him far. He’s a winner.”

Also injured Saturday was starting receiver and kickoff returner Chase Takaki, who sprained a shoulder. Takaki is expected to return later this season.

In their place, the Pirates will start sophomores Michael McKeown and Kevin Thomas (Gonzaga Prep), who led the team with 103 yards on five catches against La Verne.

Whitworth travels this week to take on Chapman (0-1), which was ranked No. 22 by D3football.com before a 52-14 loss on Sept 12 to No. 4 Linfield.

“It’s a tough loss, especially as he is a senior,” offensive coordinator Alan Stanfield said of Fullman. “We are confident in the guys who are still healthy.”