Falcons back to earth with shutdown by Milipitas

October 8, 2014 — by Arjun Ramanathan and Devin Zhao

In a high-scoring contest, the Falcons generated their second win of the season against Santa Clara on Oct. 3 with a score of 41-35. However, that bright spot was demolished by a 49-0 loss to Milipitas on Oct. 10, putting the Falcons’overall record at 2-3 and their league record at 1-1.

In a high-scoring contest, the Falcons generated their second win of the season against Santa Clara on Oct. 3 with a score of 41-35. However, that bright spot was demolished by a 49-0 loss to Milipitas on Oct. 10, putting the Falcons’overall record at 2-3 and their league record at 1-1.

In the Oct. 3 road contest, the Falcons accumulated 514 yards on offense with six touchdowns, while Santa Clara scored five touchdowns on 345 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Will Liddle completed 17 out of 41 attempts for 210 yards. Senior running back Alvin Kim gained 202 yards on 26 attempts and caught six passes for 65 yards, accounting for more than half the Falcons’ yardage.

Other notable contributors were senior wide receiver Joey Medeiros and junior Vinny Faylor with 97 and 90 yards in catches and runs.

Linebackers senior Addison Polcyn and junior Alex Hawks led the defense with eight tackles each, while defensive end Jonathan Vita and Medeiros, playing cornerback, followed with six each.  

The Falcons got started in their the running game using Medeiros, who ran a touchdown within the first five minutes of the first quarter. Despite strong plays made by Santa Clara quarterback Branden Priest, the Falcons managed to score by halftime with a trick play using Medeiros as quarterback, making the opposing defense uncertain of whether he would pass or run.

Despite another touchdown by Medeiros in the third quarter, passes by Priest allowed Santa Clara to lead 28-21. However, great blocking by the offensive line allowed Kim to run a 50-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 28-27.

Using a trick play again, Medeiros threw a 12-yard pass to junior wide receiver Joseph Eschen to give the Falcons a 34-28 lead in the fourth quarter. Liddle then extended the lead to 41-28 by throwing a pass to Faylor in the corner of the endzone.

Santa Clara tried to  come back and managed to score a final touchdown, making the score at 41-35. An interception by Medeiros in the last two minutes prevented the Bruins from scoring again.

In the Oct. 10 away game against Milpitas, coach Tim Lugo said the Falcons had a hard time competing.

“[Milipitas is] the best team in our section,” Lugo said. “They’ve got defensive linemen that weigh 360 pounds and are hard to move. They’ve got a defensive end [who is] 6-6 and 270 pounds [and] eight starters from the section championship team last year. I doubt that [they will] lose a game this year.”

Medeiros was injured on the Falcons’ second possession, hampering the team’s chances. Miscommunication between receivers and quarterback signals led to multiple failed passes and interceptions, all converted into touchdowns.

The Falcons will play Wilcox at home tonight.

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