“FROM THE HUDDLE”

BY COACH BRIAN WALKER       

  It was a great night for football last Friday night as our Falcons traveled to Springfield to take on the Tigers in a tough Southern MN Conference battle.  The Falcons were looking to get their first win of the season, and the Tigers came in with a (2-1) record.  This is a game that you throw the records out the window, as the team’s emotions can play a huge part.  As it turned out, RRC played its most complete game of the year, but the Tigers had 3 big plays go for TD’s to edge out our Falcons 21-13.  Over the last few years, we have had some very close ball games, and this was no different.  Our kids came out and played hard, and kept fighting to the finish. 

            The Tigers got on the board early on a 30 yd run on their opening drive to make it 7-0.  RRC then would come back late in the first quarter to put together a 12 play 70 yd drive to score on a 10 yd pass from Blake Walker to Turner Nickel.  Matt Fox kicked the PAT to tie the game at 7-7.  That’s the way the game would stay into the half, as both defenses supplied some big hits.  The Falcons would come up with the only turnover of the 2^nd qtr. as Bevern Kedl recovered a Tiger fumble.  However, the Falcons were unable to turn it into points.  In the second half, it would be the Falcons that would turn the ball over, as RRC fumbled on its first two possessions, and on their next two came up short on 4^th down tries.  It was tough to start the half off with two turnovers, as the first one gave the Tigers a short field and they took advantage of it with a 37 yd run to take a 14-7 lead.  It would stay that way into the 4^th qtr. Dillon Imker, back into the lineup for the first time recovered another Tiger fumble halting a Springfield drive late in the 3^rd.  We were then able to put a nice drive together, going 7 plays and 66 yds.  Bevern Kedl had half of those yards on one play going 33 yds to put the ball down to the 16 yd line.  Three plays later, Blake Walker hooked up with Josh Fredrickson in the corner of the endzone to pull the Falcons to 14-13.  The all important PAT kick was blocked to keep the Tigers in the lead. Then when we needed a big stop, the Tigers would score quickly again on a 66 yd run to give them the 21-13 lead with 3:53 left in the game.  The Falcons wouldn’t go away however, moving the ball down the field, as Eric Altermatt would make an unbelievable catch for 20 yds on a 4^th down try. RRC would get to the 29 yd line only to be stopped on downs.  It was a great football game, and our kids played with more desire, and were in it until the end.

            They were able to score quick, and for the game the Tigers offense had the ball for just 38 plays.  The rushed for 265 yds on 32 attempts, and were 3 of 6 passing for another 32 yds for 297 total yards.  RRC’s offense showed great balance and were able to keep the Tiger offense off the field by running 75 total plays, the most this season in a game.  We got our rushing attack and passing attack clicking on the same night.  We rushed the ball 51 times for 196 yds, and passed another 24 times, hooking up on 12 of those for another 120 yds.  For the game we had 316 total yds.  Bevern Kedl went over the 100 yd rushing mark for the 4^th straight game, this time carrying 20 times for 104 yds.  Turner Nickel carried 16 times for 63 yds, and Ryan Benedict gained 38 yds on 12 carries.  In the passing department, Blake Walker hooked up on 12 of 23 passes for 120 yds and 2 TD’s.  Josh Fredrickson grabbed 4 for 31 yds and a score, Eric Altermatt caught 4 passes for 44 yds.  Turner Nickel hauled in 2 for 22 yds and a TD, and Bevern Kedl had 2 for 23 yds.  On the defensive side, Ryan Benedict led the team with 10 tackles.  Taylor Mattison had 9 tackles, and Zach Siemer and Eric Altermatt were in on 7 tackles each.  For the game, our defense had 6 tackles for loss, with Bevern Kedl recording 3, Matt Sticha, Zach Siemer, and Ryan Benedict each getting 1 tackle for a loss.  Bevern Kedl and Dillon Imker each recovered a fumble.  It was an evenly played game, with each team having 2 turnovers, but the Falcons were penalized just 2 times to the Tigers 8 penalties. 

                This week our Falcons return home for the annual Homecoming game against New Ulm Cathedral(2-2).  Last year RRC scored on the final play of the game against the Greyhounds to make it 7-6, but the two point conversion failed dropping a one point game to last year’s state runner-up.  It will be another hard fought game, but if our kids play with the kid of desire and intensity they showed against Springfield, we will be right there at the end, looking to get our first win of the year.  GO FALCONS!!