Falcons hit a bump in the road, lose 2 straight

The Falcons' high-flying offense couldn't keep up perennial powerhouse Wilcox when they lost 51-35 at home on Sept. 30.

Down early in the first half, the Falcons gave up two early touchdowns to the run-oriented Chargers. However, the offense then managed to orchestrate a 72-yard drive, which culminated in a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Jonathan Walters to senior wide receiver Kyle Dozier.

The Chargers fought back and scored a touchdown and a field goal, making the score 24-7 Wilcox. The Falcons never gave up, and a crucial fumble recovery in the second quarter by junior defensive back John Moyles gave the Falcons a big momentum shift.

The Falcon offense drove 92 yards and capped off the drive with a rushing touchdown by senior running back Ryan Kane, making the score 24-14 Wilcox.

The defense played well on its next series and held Wilcox to a three and out, giving the ball back to the Falcon offense. With about a minute left to go in the first half, the Falcons scored another touchdown on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Walters to sophomore receiver Joey Medieros, making the score 24-21 at halftime. 

In the second half, the Wilcox running game proved to be a strong one. A big play for the Chargers that hurt the falcons in the long run was a pick six thrown by Walters at the beginning of the second half. This stretched the Charger lead back to 10 and it put the Falcons on their heels.

However, the Falcons wouldn’t let up, and on their next offensive series, drove the ball down the field and capped off a drive with a touchdown pass from Walters to Dozier.

Wilcox scored another touchdown, giving them the lead 38-28, but the Falcons would be quick to respond. With good field position, the Falcons scored another touchdown on a 14-yard pass from Walters to Dozier, pulling the Falcons back to within three. 

However, some missed assignments would end the team's scoring

Junior offensive tackle Wilson Kung thought the team played very well, but there were some things that could have gone better.

"I'd say we did really well considering the athletes they had, but it definitely wasn't our best game,” Kung said. “Our practice the week before wasn't what it needed to be, and that really reflected in the game.”

Kung said the tempo of the offense was good, but there were things that went wrong.

“I thought that the speed at which we played at was really good,” Kung said. “If it wasn't for the fact that they switched in five or six guys, they would have been too tired to keep up.” 

Kung added that the offensive line needed to step up on their run blocking, as it cost them on the goal line a couple of times during the game. 

The Falcons suffered another tough loss Oct. 5 to the Santa Clara Bruins at Santa Clara. Saratoga drew first blood with a touchdown pass from Walters to Dozier in the first quarter.

However, some confusion on a play call cost the Falcons and gave the Bruins a safety, making the score 7-2 Saratoga. The Bruins then scored a touchdown and a 2- point conversion giving them the lead 10-7, and added on a field goal before the half making the score 13-7 Santa Clara at halftime.

The Falcons came out out strong in the second half however, and senior Eric Castronovo forced a fumble to give the ball to the Falcons.

Soon after Walters and Dozier connected on another touchdown pass, giving Saratoga the lead 14-13. However, with another touchdown and 2-point conversion, the Bruins took the lead 21-14.

In the fourth quarter the Falcons responded with a touchdown pass from Walters to Medeiros, tying the game 21-21. 

With 1:45 left to go, however, special teams cost the Falcons, and the Bruins scored a touchdown off a punt return, giving them the lead 28-21 with about 1:30 left to go.

The Falcons attempted to drive down the field and tie the game, but good defensive play by the Bruins ended the Falcons’ chances for a comeback, and handed them their second loss of the season.

The Falcons look to win big on their Homecoming game against Homestead on Oct. 12.