Falcons topple Wolverines for first win
Mason Carpenter had a night for the ages on Friday, busting off the two biggest plays of the game. They were absolute momentum turners and gave the Falcons their first victory of the year.
After falling to Edgar 54-0 in their season opener, the Falcons were eager to get back to winning ways, with head coach Jake Knapmiller stressing personal accountability and improvement.
“Each person had a few things to focus on individually and we wanted to eliminate the free plays we gave to Edgar on both sides of the ball and special teams. We played faster and communicated better... there was a purpose.”
The Falcons came out with that purpose on Friday, leading by as many as 20 points late in the first half before the Wolverines made a late push.
Mason Wellman got the party started early with his three-yard scoring run in the first quarter. Abby missed the two point conversion but was in front at 6-0 going into the second quarter.
Preston Bunkleman got his prep career off to a fast start in the second quarter when he scored his first touchdown with a one yard run.
Carpenter’s first big play was the one that put Abby up 20-0, as he weaved his way downfield for a 58-yard scoring run. It came at the perfect time, after the Falcons lost Ty Falteisek for the season with a fractured ankle.
Falteisek and the Falcons had been chewing up big yardage in the first half, with the lightening fast Falteisek piling up 99 yards on just 14 carries. Abby held a two score lead before disaster struck and Faleisek went down with his season ending injury.
“Ty was ready to have a breakout year. He was on pace to have a 200 yard game, and was improving on the things we had talked about from last year with vision and ball security,” Knapmiller said. “He is a true team guy and was willing to do whatever it takes to make the team successful.”
Wellman got in for a two point conversion, but the Wolverines made some noise heading into the second half as Crivitz quarterback Eian Baumann found wide receiver Tegan Werner for a 65-yard scoring connection.
Crivitz made the PAT to cut the deficit to 20-7, and the Wolverines carried that offense into the second half as they wmade it a one score game when Werner ran in from seven yards out in the third quarter to make it 20-13.
That’s when Carpenter turned in the biggest play of the night. With the Falcons finding themselves in a dog-fight on the road, Carpenter took the ensuing kick-off, and despite missing the catch, got a great block and dashed forward for a 92-yard kick-off return touchdown.
“That was crushing to [Crivitz] from a momentum standpoint,” Knapmiller said. “We were out of gas and needed someone to make a huge play.”
Wellman made the PAT to put Abby back up by two scores. The Falcons went back to work and scored another insurance touchdown in the fourth, once again it was Carpenter who did the scoring, finding pay-dirt from two yards out.
Carpenter finished his night with 69 yards rushing on eight carries and two scores to go with his special teams touchdown. Those 69 yards gives him a career total of 69, but Knapmiller always knew Carpenter’s potential.
“Carp is a big time athlete that never played with confidence in the past. This year he has had a little “swag” to his game, but humbleness to his demeanor at the same time.”
The Falcons finished with 274 total rushing yards, with Wellman leading Abby with a team high 105 yards and one score on ten touches. Cade Faber took duties as signal caller and ended with one to reception for 34 yards to - who else? Mason Carpenter.
Abbotsford will have another tall task before it when it hosts Marathon this Friday. The Red Raiders are coming off a 28-0 loss to Colby, but Knapmiller knows Marathon always comes ready to play.
“Going into Marathon, who always has athletic kids, we need to be more aggressive and finish tackles.”
BACK ON TRACK - Abby head coach Jake Knapmiller talks with quarterback Cade Faber about a play. Knapmiller’s Falcons got their first win of 2020 against the Wolverines.STAFF PHOTO/ROSS PATTERMANN
