Sept. 8, 2008
Jr. Falcons take three wins, one tie in openers
Colfax’s Jr. Falcons ventured to North Highlands last Saturday to begin the 2008 Sacramento Youth Football League season against the Center Jr. Cougars and the Green and White returned home with three victories and a tie in the four contests. The Jr. Falcons will play the Golden Sierra Jr. Grizzlies at Golden Sierra High School in Garden Valley on Saturday.
Here’s a recap of last Saturday’s action:
Colfax Jr. Peewees 19 Center 13 – There were plenty of big plays from both squads in this close game. After a scoreless first quarter, Mason Ahrens opened the scoring with a 69-yard run around left end for a 6-0 lead. Two plays later, Center countered with a 65-yard TD run of their own but Ahrens struck again in the third quarter with a 65-yard run and a 12-6 Colfax lead. Center had a promising drive that started at its 42 but after driving to the Colfax nine-yard line the Jr. Falcons’ defense stiffened with a stop. With 3:54 left in the game, quarterback Ryland Heimann kept the ball and swept around left end and followed some great blocking to complete a 90-yard touchdown run. Ahrens then ran over the extra point for a 19-6 lead. Having strong defensive games for Colfax were Seth McGlothlan, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Sawi, Caden Ray, Justin Ambrose, Luke Baggett and Angelo Margherita.
Colfax Peewees 19 Center 19 (OT) –The Jr. Falcons and Cougars battled to a 19-19 tie which included both teams scoring once in the first overtime and then having the defense prevail in the second extra session. After spotting the Cougars a 12-0 lead, Colfax’s Matt Blackburn culminated a 70-yard, 12-play drive in the second quarter with a 6-yard run to cut the deficit to 12-6. On the second series after the half, Sam LaHaie of the Jr. Falcons knotted the score on a 1-yard run capping a 7-play, 55-yard drive. After regulation ended at 12-12, Center scored in the first overtime period and added the conversion to go ahead 19-12 However, the Jr. Falcons answered when Marc Avila tied it up with a 4-yard run followed by LaHaie’s 3-yard extra point run. Leading the Peewees’ defensive play were Beau Baggett, Zane McDade, Alex Tobiasz, K.J. Ketteringham, and Travis Mullican.
Colfax Jr. Midgets 34 Center 0 - Playing in 100-degree plus temperatures, the Junior Midgets struck early as Ray Henry bolted 46 yards for the game’s first touchdown. Michael Wilson converted via kick for an 8-0 lead. The Colfax defense pushed Center back to their 27 forcing them to punt where Timmy Rawlins took the kick at his 45 and took off. Aided by a Kyle Bryant block, Rawlins was able to break loose on a 55-yard touchdown return and a 14-0 lead. Two series later Colfax struck again as Tanner Kane ended a five-play drive with a 2-yard run extending the Falcons’ lead to 20-0. Big plays in the drive were a Wilson to Davis Jenkins pass for 22-yards and a tough 6-yard run by Jake Medeiros who carried three Cougars to the 2-yard line. On the second play of the second half, Bailey Bean picked off a Cougars pass and returned it 10-yards to the Center 44. Henry then ran for 17 and two plays later Wilson passed to Rawlins who dodged, weaved and sped the final 20-yards for a 26-0 lead. Wilson’s kick upped the lead to 28-0. The Falcon defense ended the next Cougars drive with a fumble recovery by Medeiros on the Cougars 38. On the next play Rawlins took the ball through the line and Cougar defense for the last score of the day. The shutout was the result of outstanding defensive plays by Jack Baldoni, Michael Calleja, Jory Weber, Chaz Reisinger, Robby Lopez, Ian Gassaway, John Hayes, River Potter, Trenton Green, Carrick Hoffart and Matthew Grybos. They did not allow Center beyond its own 46-yard line.
Colfax Midgets 36 Center 0 - The Midgets opened the defense of their Northern Division championship with a sterling team effort. A swarming “Gang Green” defense coupled with an offense that seemed to be in mid-season form showed that this squad is not to be overlooked. Forcing Center to punt from their 29 on the opening series, Austin Perry ran for 27 and Henry Freer sped for 22 yards for a quick 6-0 lead. After Sam Klar and Marcus Hoogendyk forced a sack to the Cougars’ 19, Freer picked off a pass and returned it to the 26. Perry ran for 6 and Freer followed with a 20-yard scamper to pay-dirt and a 12-0 lead. The defense moved the Cougars back to their 20 on three consecutive plays and on fourth down, Clay Southerland broke through to tackle the punter for an 11-yard loss. On the next play, Perry ran it in from nine yards out and Freer ran in the extra point for a 19-0 lead. Unable to cross the 30, the Cougars punted on their next possession to their own 42. Perry ran for 11, Patrick Neu hit Cory Schlittenhart on a 21-yard pass and Freer ran in from 10 for his third score. Perry’s extra point kick gave Colfax a 27-0 lead. On the next Cougars’ play, Evan Critchfield picked off a pass and returned the ball to the Center 40. Runs of seven and 20 yards by Perry and a 16-yard TD pass from Neu to Justin Kotey upped the score to 33-0. Perry’s kick was good for the final two points. With almost 5 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter, the scoring ended under the “Mercy” rule.Gang Green” did not allow the Cougars a first down or beyond their own 30-yard line. The outstanding defensive effort was shared by Hoogendyk, Klar, Kotey, Neu, Schlittenhart, Perry, Freer, Tim Stuck, R.J. Hurley, Cody Erickson, Austin Mulderig, Johnny Morrill, Zach Smith. The offensive line of Brenden Flagg, Niall Gow, Christian Cano, Dominic Dimaggio, Mario Margherita and Mason Banish also opened huge holes for the running backs and stayed sealed on passing plays.