After a disappointing overtime loss last week to Manhattan, the Florence Falcons came to win against Anaconda. Although the first few plays were a little shaky. But then, the nerves wore off and the Falcons began playing their game.
The defense kept Anaconda on their own side of the 50 yard line for the entire first half and didn’t allow a single first down by the Copperheads. Junior newcomer, Ethan Abbott, who stand 6’4” and weighs 275 pounds, made a bit impression on the line, chasing down the quarterback several times. This fired up the defense even more.
Coach Pat Duchien said the quarterback, Pat Duchien, Jr., had a rough lesson last week but after a couple of plays, setting in and put the ball where he needed to put it.
With multiple routes being run by the Falcon offense, the Anaconda defense struggled to contain Jonny Chamberlane. He broke loose with just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter for a 19 yard scoring run. Caden Zaluski kicked the PAT and the Falcons were on the board.
Two and a half minutes later, Duchien, Jr. threw to Blake Shoupe from 32 yards out for another score. Zaluski kicked a successful PAT. Zaluski was Duchien Jr’s target early in the second quarter. He caught a nine yard pass for the six points at 10:17 in the second quarter.
Coach Duchien and company caught Anaconda off guard on the ensuing kickoff when Zaluski kicked an onside kick that went just over 10 yards. Zaluski then recovered his own kick.
“That is a designed kick we have,” said Coach Duchien. “We have a pretty phenomenal kicker. It’s kind of fun to do some things with him that’s a little bit different.”
That possession led to another Falcon score when Chamberlane made a three yard dash into the end zone. However the PAT attempt was no good. But Florence kept the momentum going with a 34 yard pass to Luke Maki from Duchien, Jr. Cadence Waller was Duchien Jr’s target with just under three minutes remaining in the first half. He hit Waller from 11 yards out and with the PAT by Zaluski, the Falcons were up, 41-0, and the clock was running.
Anaconda’s Teagan Robbins ran the ensuing kick off back 95 yards for the six points but the kick failed. When Anaconda kicked off after the touchdown, Levi Posey ran it back 90 yards for the final touchdown. Florence won, 48-6.
“It’s a pretty big team effort,” said Coach Duchien. “We had six different guys get touchdowns. We got some of our young guys in there tonight. With 45 kids, that can be tough to do.”
Darby defeated Victor in a hard-fought game on Saturday in Darby. Darby came out looking tough and quickly put a touchdown when Preston Smith threw 30 yards to Tanner Davis. Darby also got a safety on Victor before the Pirates settled down and began to play.
Victor got on the scoreboard after Roan Jackson got hold of an onside kick by Darby. A couple of plays later and Robert Crosbie raced into the end zone for the score. Jackson took a pass from Carson Varner for the two-point conversion.
“We knew it would be rough,” said veteran coach JP McCrossin. “Victor hung right in there and they should be proud of themselves.”
Darby scored again when Davis ran 11 yards for the score. But Victor came back with a 21 yard run by Crosbie and the conversion was good. Victor then recovered a Darby fumble in the Darby end zone.
However Smith was not done. He had a nine yard run and a 21 yard run for two more touchdowns. Deric Parks scored the two-point conversion. Darby went on to win, 30-22.
“It’s a brand new offense for them,” said McCrossin. “I only got the job like 10 days before the first practice. They are learning my whole new system from scratch. They are doing a good job and I’m proud of them.”
Hamilton defeated Stevensville, and Frenchtown defeated Corvallis.