“FROM THE HUDDLE”

BY COACH BRIAN WALKER       

                The Red Rock Central Falcon football team started the new season out with an impressive victory over the Knights of SESM.  It was the first meeting between the two teams in 4 full seasons at the varsity level, and RRC would end up dominating this game winning 34-6.  It was a great feeling for the kids and the coaches to come out the way we did.  Coach Wegman in his pregame speech talked about getting a turnover right away in the Knights first series, and he predicted it right, as Zach Siemer came through the line untouched to sack the QB and forced as well as recovered the fumble.  That play set the tone for the game.  From that point, our offense moved the ball 27 yds in 7 plays to score on a 4 yd run by Zach Siemer.  It was only fitting that Zach score the TD since he is the one that forced that fumble on defense.  The rest of the quarter went scoreless, but early on in the second quarter, we were able to put together a long 72 yd drive in 8 plays when Sophomore QB, Dylan Bunting, ran it in from 1 yd out.  Jake Fredrickson was the workhorse on that drive, picking up 58 of those yards.  Our third TD of the half came after another turnover.  Freshman, Henry Rogotzke, recovered a fumble setting us up at the 23 yd line.  One play later Jake Fredrickson took it to paydirt to make the score 18-0. We struggled with our PAT’s as we failed on all but one in the game.  Right before the half, we almost took advantage of a Nate Bierman interception, moving the ball down to the 4 yd line with under a minute to play in the half, but we fumbled the ball away to keep us out of the endzone.  Our defense played outstanding in the first half, holding the Knights to just 36 total yards.  The Falcons would score 3 times in the third quarter, with 2 touchdowns, and 1 safety by the defense.  After a 24 yd punt return by George Rogotzke, Dylan Bunting would rip off a 28 yd run to the 1 yd line, and then would score on the next play.  On the next series, the Falcon defense forced SESM to punt out of the endzone, and Ray Hagberg would block the punt to force a safety.  SESM then kicked off and from there, we moved the ball 44 yds in 6 plays to score on another Bunting QB sneak.  We finally converted on the two point conversion, with Bunting connecting with George Rogotzke on a nice pass play. At that point the score was 34-0 with 3:06 left in the third quarter.  The Knights would get on the board with 9:46 to play on a 1 yd QB sneak by Scott Salfer.  From then on the entire Falcon roster say the field in the first game, and that is always a nice reward for all the guys that have really worked hard these past three weeks in practice.

                It was the defense that dominated, forcing 4 turnovers and blocking a punt.  We had 3 turnovers of our own, but all of ours were when we were close to scoring, and it took points away from us.  The offensive line opened up some nice holes for Jake Fredrickson and the rest of the Falcon runners.  Fredrickson ran 20 times for 182 yds and 1 TD.  Dylan Bunting had a solid game as he used his legs to run 9 times for 90 yds and scored 3 TD’s in his first varsity game.  Zach Siemer added 18 yds rushing, Clay Peterson rushed for 19 yds in 2 carries.  Mitchell Schroepfer ran 3 times for 15 yds, George Rogotzke ran 3 times for 3 yds, and Jesse Rogotzke ran 1 time for 5 yds.  For the game, the Falcons pounded the ball 47 times for 330 yds rushing.  Dylan Bunting hit 1 of 4 passes for 8 yds.  Nate Bierman caught the lone Falcon pass.  On defense, RRC held the Knights to just 67 yds rushing, and 59 yds passing for 126 total yards.  The Knights had about 3 long runs, but this year we were able to catch them and make a tackle before they reached the endzone.  Sophomore linebacker, Nate Mattison led the charge with 10 tackles and 1 Sack.  Nate Bierman, Dillon Imker, Zach Siemer, and Ray Hagberg all had 6 tackles.  Alex Kircher added 5 tackles and Siemer, Kircher, and Hagberg all had sacks and tackles for losses. We dominated the Line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and that is what we will need to continue to do in this tough Southern MN Conference.  Each week it is a new challenge. 
                This week the Falcons will play a rare Saturday game at Comfrey at 1:00 pm.  It should be another tough game, as they won their first game over SWU, so both teams are (1-0).  They have a wide open passing attack in which they threw the ball 46 times last week, and racked up close to 300yds passing.  Our defense will be tested that is for sure.  One key will be our ability to sustain some long drives and keep the ball away from that offense. 

                Thanks to all the parents and others that helped run the Whopper Wagon before the game last week.  It always makes a great atmosphere for a football game.  After the Saturday game, the Falcons will return home on the 18^th when RRC hosts the Wabasso Rabbits.  Hope to see a big crowd in Comfrey on Saturday.  GO FALCONS!!