Falcons football
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to pick up two yards on the subsequent play, leading to a fourth-and-14 situation.
With the clock running under a minute left in the half and facing a long fourth down, the Falcons decided to change things up. Aguilera handed the ball off to Fuentes, but instead of running the ball, the Abbotsford back instead unleashed a pass downfield for Brodhagen, the only receiver on a route. Facing one-on-one coverage, Brodhagen beat his defender on a jump ball at the goal line to put the Falcons up 6-0.
The lengthy drive did not give Coleman an opportunity to respond and the Cougars only ran four plays in the second quarter.
However, the home team received the opening kickoff of the second half and Coleman was able to put together a timeconsuming touchdown drive of their own. Starting at their own 35-yard line, the Cougars took 10 minutes to go 65 yards and score on an eight-yard pass from Kuchta to Kolton Peters. Coleman converted on their extra point attempt, an important play that put them ahead 7-6.
The Falcons were able to move the ball on their next possession, driving into Coleman territory on a long run by Fuentes on a sweep. A penalty on the next play put Abbotsford behind the chains and, on a fourth-and-one, the Falcons once again turned to Fuentes on the outside. This time, the Cougars were able to corral him and stopped Abbotsford short of the line of gain, resulting in a crucial turnover on downs.
After giving up a first down on the ensuing possession, the Falcons defense came up with a key stop. Irvin Davila was able to sniff out a reverse for a big tackle for loss on second down and Coleman was eventually forced to punt.
The Falcons’ final drive featured a pair of fourth down conversions on the first two sets of downs. The second featured another connection between Fuentes and Brodhagen, though this one was not quite as planned as the first. Facing fourth-andfive, the Falcons tried to get Fuentes around the left edge, but Coleman instantly recognized the play and collapsed on the Abbotsford back. Hit by two defenders five yards behind the line of scrimmage, Fuentes somehow managed to keep his feet before escaping the grasp of a third Cougar and reversing field. Still, there was little chance that he would be able to reach the first down marker with his feet, so the junior improvised once more and fired a throw down to Brodhagen, who made a diving grab for a first down.
Aguilera converted another fourth down later in the drive and also picked up two more first downs as the Falcons continued their advance. Time began to be an issue as the Falcons pushed inside the Coleman 10-yard line and, while they were able to get down to the two, penalties and the shrinking clock eventually forced them into their final field goal attempt.
Fuentes and Aguilera posted identical stat lines as the Falcons’ two main rushers, both gaining 89 yards on 17 carries. Boller added 30 yards on eight touches, Jesus Reyes had nine yards, Brodhagen had four yards and Emilio Escalera ended the game with two yards.
Aguilera went 2-for-6 passing for 14 yards while Fuentes was 2-for-2 for 33 yards and a touchdown. Fuentes caught both of Aguilera’s passes and Brodhagen was the recipient of both of Fuentes’s throws.
“We put ourselves in a lot of second and long situations because of penalties,” Knapmiller noted of the offense. “But, I believe we averaged over five yards a carry on the ground versus the best run defense we have played in a while.”
Davila led the team with 11 tackles, Andres Lopez and Grayson Totzke both ended the game with seven apiece and Aguilera, Fuentes and Dan Davila were in on five tackles each.
The Falcons finished 8-3 overall, going 7-2 in the regular season and taking third in the new Marawood/CWC-Small conference.
“I think this group of kids maybe had the most overall talent we have had,” Knapmiller said. “At times we underperformed through the year but by the end of the season we were playing our best football. When you can go toe to toe with Edgar, Auburndale and Coleman and are competitive, it means you are in a good spot. We hopefully can use this momentum and, with a couple extra weeks with our returning players, [we can] come out swinging again next season and push for more.”
RALLY TACKLE - Irvin Davila and Christian Fuentes team up to bring down Coleman running back West Bieber for a short gain during the Cougars long touchdown drive in the third quarter.
STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD
SLICING PAST THE DEFENSE - Irvin Aguilera darts past Coleman defenders during the Friday night playoff matchup against the Cougars. Aguilera had 89 yards on the ground to co-lead the team in rushing.
STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD
