Auburndale deals Falcons first loss of 2024
By Nathaniel Underwood
The Abbotsford Falcons were dealt their first loss of the season last Friday evening, falling to conference rival Auburndale at home. The Eagles scored 21 straight points and dealt Abbotsford a 28-7 defeat.
While statistically the two teams looked very similar at the end of the night, with the Falcons recording 236 yards on 42 carries compared to Auburndale’s 231 yards on 43 carries, it all came down to keeping drives alive. The Eagles found some marginal success when they needed to go through the air, adding 62 passing yards, but the Falcons only completed one of their seven pass attempts. Penalties also hurt Abbotsford, forcing them into long yard situations that they could not overcome.
The Falcons started off strong, driving down the length of the field while eating nearly six minutes of the clock on the game’s opening possession. They moved within Auburndale’s 20-yard and it briefly looked like they would be setting up for first and goal on a run by Chase Boller. The play was called back due to a holding penalty, however, and the Eagles’defense held, eventually forcing a turnover on downs.
While the Abbotsford defense forced a punt out of Auburndale on the following possession, their next drive stalled after just one first down, causing them to punt themselves. The Eagles then marched down the field, going on a 75-yard drive and overcoming their own holding penalty on Abbotsford’s side of the field to eventually put the first points on the board.
A holding penalty on the Falcons next drive set them back and quarterback Irvin Aguilera was hit while attempting to throw the ball downfield, resulting in a turnover that set up Auburndale on Abbotsford’s side of the field. The Eagles rode the momentum to another second quarter touchdown, converting on a fourth-and-four play before scoring from 11 yards out two plays later.
Abbotsford was once again forced to punt on the next drive and while Chase Boller was able to pick off Auburndale quarterback Blake Raab on a deep throw on the final play of the second quarter, the Falcons still found themselves down 14-0 at halftime.
The home team looked to turn the tide in the third quarter, getting a big play from their defense on the half’s first possession. While Auburndale was able to march into Falcons’ territory, Abbotsford was able to strip Raab as he tried to scramble out of a collapsing pocket. Irvin Davila fell on the loose ball and the Falcons took over at their own 30-yard line.
While Abbotsford was able to cross midfield, another holding penalty put them behind the sticks once again. They were not able to find any success through the air and were once again forced to punt the ball away. The Eagles pounced on the opportunity to go up three scores and marched 70 yards down the field before Auburndale running back Colton Weiler recorded his second rushing touchdown of the season on a 10-yard run.
Down 21-0 with less than two minutes left in the third quarter, the Falcons needed to score quickly if they were to get back into the contest. A solid kick return from AJ Brodhagen set them up at midfield and the Falcons were finally able to find the end zone as Aguilera found Davila on a 13-yard pass and catch. Nine minutes still remained in the game, making a comeback possible if the Abbotsford defense could come up with a stop.
The Falcon defense did their job forcing a three-and-out and getting the ball back to the offense with seven-and-a-half minutes re-
See FALCONS FOOTBALL/ Page 11
FALCONS TOUCHDOWN - Irvin Davila crosses the plane of the end zone, scoring Abbotsford’s only touchdown against Auburndale last Friday. Davila also recovered a fumble earlier in the game.
STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD Falcons football
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maining. Abbotsford could not connect on their first two pass plays and on a four-andfive, Auburndale’s defense was able to stop Boller from reaching the line to gain, forcing another turnover on downs. On a short field, the Eagles put the game on ice with a 14-yard touchdown run from Raab.
Aguilera was the Falcons’ leading rusher, ending the game with 88 yards on 17 carries. Boller added another 57 yards on 11 touches and Emilio Escalera had nine carries for 53 yards. Christian Fuentes added 24 yards and Jesus Reyes picked up 14 yards on the ground. Aguilera’s one completion went to Davila on their 13-yard score in the third quarter.
Andres Lopez led the defense with 11 tackles and forced the fumble that was recovered by Davila. Fuentes was in on 10 tackles himself and Daniel Davila added nine total tackles.
Abbotsford will look to bounce back from their first loss of the season this Friday, Oct. 11, when they travel to Rosholt. The Hornets are currently 1-6 overall and 0-5 in the conference, coming off a 20-14 loss to Pacelli. Rosholt has struggled on both sides of the ball this season, averaging just 6.9 points per game on offense while giving up 39 to opponents on average. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
BREAKING THROUGH - Emilio Escalera finds some room to operate as the Falcons’ line opens up a lane for him in Abbotsford’s loss to the Eagles last Friday. Escalera racked up 53 rushing yards on nine carries in the game.
STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD
