Huge first quarter nets Falcons seventh win of 2024
By Nathaniel Underwood
AJ Brodhagen scored two touchdowns and recorded an interception, Irvin Aguilera, Chase Boller and Jesus Reyes all had over 50 yards rushing and the Abbotsford Falcons improved to 7-1 as they defeated Rosholt 43-28 on the road last Friday.
A monster first quarter quickly put the game away from the Falcons as they racked up seven touchdowns in the opening 12 minutes of the game against the 1-7 Hornets. While Rosholt was able to put up a pair of scores in the second quarter, Abbotsford’s hold on the contest never truly came into question.
The Falcons’ defense held the home team’s ground attack to a paltry 3.3 yards per carry. While Hornets’ quarterback Keegan O’Donnell found occasional success through the air, completing 12 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, Abbotsford’s defense was able to pick him off three times and only allowed him to complete 44 percent of his passes.
Meanwhile, Abbotsford largely did whatever it wanted in the first 12 minutes of the game. The 35 points were the most the Falcons have scored in a single quarter all season, beating their 34 point quarter against Assumption, and they dominated in all three phases.
It only took two carries for Aguilera to accumulate his 55 yards and a touchdown and Brodhagen picked up a touchdown on an 11-yard carry as well as a 70-yard kick return for a touchdown. Boller added 52 yards on 10 carries for a touchdown and Reyes served as the Falcons primary ball carrier for much of the game, racking up 81 yards on 15 carries to lead Abbotsford.
While there was not much going for the Falcons through the air, with Aguilera completing one pass to Boller for just six yards and throwing an interception, the visitors’ early dominance meant that they did not need to turn to the aerial attack often, attempting only four passes over the course of the contest.
On defense, Luis Gonzalez and Emilio Escalera led the team with six total tackles each. Nathan Dukelow added four tackles and a forced fumble, Julian Aguilera and Izaac Sundermeyer both had one sack and Irvin Davila, Grayson Totzke and Brodhagen all picked off O’Donnell once.
With Rosholt in the rearview mirror, the Falcons will have one final test before the WIAA playoffs, one that will decide the conference title. Abbotsford will host the Edgar Wildcats this Friday, Oct. 18 for a game that will likely have an effect on both the top of the Marawood/ CWC-Small conference and playoff seeding. Edgar is currently undefeated in conference play, outscoring Marawood/CWC-Small foes 250-20 so far this season, and holds a 7-1 overall record. Their only loss this season came at the hands of an undefeated Stratford squad that is currently ranked first in Division 5.
As it stands, a win against the Wildcats would earn the Falcons a share of the conference title, though whether they would share it with just Edgar or with Auburndale depends on the outcome of the Eagles’ game against Iola-Scandinavia. A loss would give Edgar sole ownership of the Marawood/CWC title and relegate Abbotsford to third place. Kickoff between the two ranked squads is scheduled for 7 p.m.
