Abby routs Royals in homecoming game

By Nathaniel Underwood

From the opening kickoff, the Abbotsford Falcons had complete control over their homecoming game against the Assumption Royals. A 75-yard touchdown return by Irvin Aguilera on the first play of the Marawood/CWC-Small contest set the tone for the rest of the game, one in which the Falcons eventually won 56-20.

Abbotsford rattled off 40 unanswered points in the first half in front of the homecoming crowd, scoring 34 of those points in the first quarter. Touchdowns piled up as the Falcons tore through Assumption’s defense, racking up 318 rushing yards on just 29 carries, averaging 11 yards per attempt.

After immediately scoring on the first play of the game, the Falcons did not give the Royals a chance to regain their footing. On Assumption’s first play from scrimmage, Abbotsford forced a fumble and Marcus Vanluven recovered it for the home team. A few plays later, Emilio Escalera punched it in from 11 yards out for the Falcons’ second touchdown.

Abbotsford kept the pressure on, forcing a punt from Assumption and then scoring a third touchdown after just four-and-ahalf minutes of game time. Chase Boller weaved his way through the Royals’ would-be tacklers on the first play of their third possession, scampering for 30 yards before finding the end zone and making the score 20-0.

Christian Fuentes got in on the scoring a few plays later, breaking off a 50-yard touchdown run immediately after the Falcons were able to regain possession by stopping Assumption on a fourth-and-two attempt. AJ Brodhagen then followed it up with another 50-yard score, running around the left side of the Abbotsford line and giving the Falcons their fifth touchdown of the quarter.

Just as the Royals looked to have found some sort of success on offense, picking up two first downs, the home team shut them down again, forcing another fumble that Boller secured for Abbotsford. Jaxon Ploeckelman, Jesus Reyes and Carter Cihlar took over the bulk of the carries on the next drive for the Falcons, moving steadily down the field before Ploeckelman capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run.

Assumption picked up their first touchdown at the end of the third quarter. After a penalty backed the Falcons up and eventually forced them to punt, the visitors were able to break through the line and block the attempt, recovering the loose ball at Abbotsford’s three-yard line. The Royals punched the ball in one play later, scoring on a quarterback sneak.

A huge run from Ploeckelman set the Falcons up at the two yard line to start the fourth quarter and Abbotsford went right back to him on the next play. The sophomore finished the job, snaking through the line to find the end zone for the second time that evening.

The two teams exchanged touchdowns, with Assumption working down the field on their best drive of the evening before the Falcons answered with a long return by Ploeckelman on the ensuing kick followed by a 12-yard touchdown run courtesy of Reyes. A pitch sweep by Assumption turned into a lengthy touchdown run for the Royals on their final drive of the night, but Abbotsford still walked away from the contest with a healthy advantage over their conference foes.

Ploeckelman led the team in rushing attempts and yards, finishing the game with nine carries for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Fuentes only needed two carries to accumulate 76 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Brodhagen, Escalera and Boller all had one carry each, but each went for a score. Reyes also had nine carries for the Falcons, picking up 46 yards and Cihlar had five carries for 16 yards. Abbotsford only attempted two passes all evening, with Aguilera finding Fuentes once for a three yard gain.

Daniel Davila and Aguilera were in on seven tackles to lead the Falcons in the category. Boller added six tackles of his own and Kaden Miller was part of five himself.

The win pushed Abbotsford to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Marawood/CWC-Small conference. They currently sit tied at the top of the conference standings with Edgar, who they will face in their final regular season game of the season. This coming Friday, Sept. 27, the Falcons will try to capture their sixth straight win as they go on the road to face off against Pittsville. The Panthers are 1-4 this season and are coming off a 35-0 loss to Edgar. Dawson Luther leads the team in both rushing and receiving yards, racking up 478 yards on the ground and 194 yards on catches so far this season. Kickoff between the two conference foes is scheduled for 7 p.m.

USING THE BLOCKS - Jaxon Ploeckelman cuts behind his teammate en route to the first of his two touchdowns during last Friday’s homecoming victory. He led the team in rushing with 86 yards.

STAFF PHOTO/SAMANTHA YOCIUS

THIS IS MINE NOW - Chase Boller scoops up a loose ball in the second half, securing the Falcons second fumble recovery of the evening. Boller also had a 30-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

STAFF PHOTO//SAMANTHA YOCIUS

DOWN GOES THE QUARTERBACK - Irvin Davila (42) and Emilio Escalera (4) combine forces to take down Royals quarterback Wylie Cornwell in the backfield for a loss.

STAFF PHOTO//SAMANTHA YOCIUS