“FROM THE HUDDLE”

BY COACH BRIAN WALKER       

            The Falcons played host to Renville County West last Friday night for their home opener, and the smell of the Whopper’s grilling gave it a great football atmosphere.  However, the Falcons fell behind from the start, as RCW ran the opening kickoff back 85 yds for a touchdown to give the Jaguars the momentum.  Our Falcons came right back though, and moved the ball down the field to score on a 1 yd run by Ryan Benedict. Matt Fox kicked the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.  RCW then took over and proceeded to move the ball down the field against the young Falcons to take the 13-7 lead.  RRC then mounted a 67 yd drive in 7 plays, which was set up by a 55 yd run by Bevern Kedl.  Bevern finished the drive with a 4 yd run.  This tied the game at 13, but then RCW took the ensuing kickoff and went 80 yds for another score to make it 19-13 after the first quarter. The second quarter slowed down some, but RCW added two scores and the Falcons went into halftime trailing 34-13.  In the second half, the Falcons hurt themselves with 2 penalties to open the half backing them up to the 5 yd line.  We were forced to punt and gave RCW a short field. They took advantage of that and scored on a 4 yd run to make it 41-13.  RRC answered with an 84 yd drive in 12 plays to score on a 17 yd run by Bevern Kedl, his second of the game.  Then both JV groups were able to add a touchdown, with the Falcons scoring on a 17 yd pass from Jake Fredrickson to Nick Derickson to finish the scoring at 47-25. It ended up to be their special teams that did us in, with two kick returns and 205 yds in return yards.  We out gained the Jaguars 360 – 279 yds.  The Falcons rushed for 130 yds as a team, but Bevern Kedl was able to gain 135 yds in 17 carries.  No other runner had more than 8 yds.  Through the air, RRC hooked up on 16 of 26 throws.  Blake Walker was 14 of 22 for 183 yds, while Jake Fredrickson hit on 2 of 4 for 47 yds and the touchdown.  Leading the way on defense for the second straight week was Taylor Mattison with 12 tackles. Zach Siemer added 8 tackles, and Nate Bierman and Bevern Kedl each added 7 hits.

            We have allowed just too many points in the first two games, and will have to tighten up the defense for us to stay in ball games.  Our offense has been moving the ball, especially through the air, and has scored enough points to win, but we can’t continue to allow 40+ points/game and have success. We will have to work really hard this week to try to fix those problems.

            This week the Falcons will host the Wolverines of MLBO(1-1) on Friday night.  This is Parents’ Night and Elementary Cheer Night.  It will be another battle in the tough Southern MN Conference. Let’s fill the stands to cheer this team on to a victory.  GO FALCONS!!!