Cook Moves on to Girls 4A State Championship Cross Country Meet

Kaitlin Cook, who ran to a scintillating 5th place finish at the 4A-4 Sky Em Conference Meet last week has qualified to run in the 4A State Championship this Saturday at Lane Community College.
Cook, who ran a time of 18:59:00, will race for the Championship at 11:35 AM, November 3 for all who would like to cheer Kaitlin on.

Andrea Griffin finished 7th at the Conference Meet with a time of 19:23:24.

Paul Ossowski continued his strong season with a 7th place finish at the Conference Meet also at Lane Community College last week, with a time of 16:39:90.  Right behind him placing 10th was Elmira runner Keegan Cook with a time of 16:51:00.  Ossowski and Cook failed to qualify for the state Championship which takes the top 5 times in the state.

PARKER SHINES IN RETURN BUT FALCONS' SEASON ENDS WITH A THUD

Many things aren't easily quantifiable.  This was the case as Elmira hosted the Klamath Union Pelicans, with both teams desperate to win a spot in a play-in game for the state playoffs on Friday, October 19 at Swartz Field.  Coming in, both squads were evenly matched with identical records and similar victories over common opponents.  Indeed, the game lived up to the quality of a chippy, hotly contested battle.  Despite forcing 5 turnovers, however, the Falcons found themselves staring at an inexplicable 13-7 loss, leaving Elmira on the outside looking in.  So despondent was the team's reaction following the loss that they voted to shun the opportunity to play, essentially, an exhibition game against 3-4 Stayton.

Bryce Sawyer (20), Cedars Marshall (72), Ethan Lasby (52), and an unidentified Falcon gang tackle Klamath Union's Courtney Taylor in Elmira's 13-7 loss in the season finale Friday, October 19 at Swartz Field.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie. 

The game marked the return of Gavin Parker to the team after serving a two game suspension.  At times it seemed like he was literally keeping the  Falcons in the game with big plays on both sides of the ball.  Parker was the recipient of Rowdy Ramirez' 33 yard touchdown pass as he was embarrassingly wide open to end Elmira's first possession of the game, tying the score at 7-7.

However, Parker's value shown more clearly on the defensive side of the ball. The statistics told of his dominance; 10 tackles, a sack, and a spectacular interception as the Pelicans were driving to a score that would have sealed the game.

Falcon's wide receiver Gavin Parker catches this Rowdy Ramirez pass and takes it to the house for a 33 yard touchdown.  It would be the lone score for Elmira as Klamath Union defeated the Falcons 13-7, Friday October 19 at Swartz Field.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie.

Still, there was a leak in one of the Elmira tires and that was the running game, where Klamath Union out performed the Falcons in yardage, 198-65.  So unable to get free against the Pelican defense was star running back Brady Nagel that Ramirez wound up leading the Falcon's in rushing.  Klamath Union's ability to run the ball and hold possession just enough for the Falcons to not get a good look at the endzone for the rest of the game. 

Elmira ends their season 4-4,  ranked 23rd in the state in 4A, although those numbers are likely to shift as next week's games unfold. 

Looking forward, the Falcon fans can anticipate the return of dynamic quarterback Cobyn Herbert to the team after recovering from knee surgery and hope to have Parker back for a full season.  Both will be essential for Elmira if they are to challenge the triumvirate of Marshfield, Marist Catholic, and Cottage Grove that finished ahead of them in the 4A-Sky Em Conference. 

TAKING A BREAK

For all who were hoping for articles this week, I took some time in the basement so that my actual job doesn't get behind.  I can tell you that for one notable exception, it was a forgettable week in Elmira sports.  The girls' soccer team is still clinging to playoff hopes going into their Wednesday night game at Marist Catholic after beating Junction City 1-0 Tuesday October 16.

The Falcon's playoff chances in football took a serious blow after another crushing loss, this time 49-0 to powerful Marshfield, Friday October 12 in Coos Bay.  Elmira hosts Klamath Falls this Friday night in need of a convincing victory to move into contention for a play-in game. 

The boys soccer team lost to Junction City at Swartz Field 2-0 on Tuesday, October 17.  The girls' volleyball team's season ended with a straight set loss to Marshfield here in Elmira on the same night.

As the fall season winds down, I will be taking a break.  I will pick the blog up after my football broadcast on KOCF, 92.5 FM.  If you enjoy listening to live sports on 92.5, please write or call the station and tell them you want more Falcons sports on KOCF.  At this time, the station is projected to broadcast limited sports this winter. 

I will pick things up next week.

Herbert, Cottage Grove Dominate Falcons in Volleyball

Cottage Grove senior Cassidy Herbert and her family are coy to talk about colleges that have interest in the 5-9 outside hitter.  The Elmira Lady Falcons were left with no doubt why.

Herbert lashed 33 kills and 4 aces as third ranked Cottage Grove demolished the Lady Falcons 3-0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-7) in a match that wasn't as close as the score indicated.  16 of Elmira's 33 points were the product of service faults and unforced errors.  When rallies did ensue, the Lions funneled the ball to Herbert who from all over the floor with both powerful strikes and deft placements which had the Falcons' defense reeling.

While her family won't discuss the matter, Lions' head coach Kendra Anderson confirmed that Herbert has been receiving interest both at Cottage Grove High School and in club play.  When asked if it was her best game of the season, Anderson was emphatic.

"Oh no," Anderson said.  "This is indicative of her game."

 The loss dropped the Falcon's record to 6-11.  Elmira is off until next Tuesday when they host Marshfield.

Photographers Wanted!!!!

I'm sure that everyone would agree that Kimberly Lillie's photo work for the District and for my blog have been spectacular.  However, she simply cannot be everywhere the Falcons are in a given week, especially when her daughter is playing. 

We need help from parents, friends, yearbook staffers, anyone with any kind of photographic investment in Falcons' sports.  Please send you photos as an attachment to jhuls@fernridge.k12.or.us for publication in The Falcon's Talon, the local blog for all things Elmira sports.  I am especially interested in any folks who are out and about at Cross Country events or some of the road soccer and volleyball games. 

We will need a bastion of photographers again when basketball and wrestling starts up for winter sports.  Get publication credit and wide spread community viewing in this blog.  Thanks in advance for you contribution.

Go Falcons!

Falcons Get Buried in an Avalanche of Mistakes

The laundry list was an indictment of everything that the Elmira Falcons did to gift wrap a 45-13 victory to Cottage Grove Friday October 5 at Ben White Field at Cottage Grove High School.  Three fumbles lost, one interception, one snap over the punter's head recovered inside the 5 yard line, and two crippling personal fouls were the highlights of the debacle. 

"I think the pressure of the game got to them," head coach Justin Peeler said in an email.  " Giving (Cottage Grove)... 4 possessions inside the 20 really cost us the game.  We played pretty equal other than the mistakes."  Turnovers allowed to the Lions to start drives on the 12, 9, 4, and 15 yard lines.  All four were converted to touchdowns.  

Playing on artificial turf in a steady drizzling rain, the Falcons were unable to keep the ball at the start of drives.  It was deep into the second quarter before Elmira recorded their first play for positive yardage.  The Falcons did manage to come off the deck however.

Down 28-0, Brady Nagel finally got loose and scampered 44 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-7.  Again, on the first drive of the second half, Nagel took the rock to the house with an electrifying 61 yard run which closed the score to 28-13 after the missed extra point.  For the briefest moment, hope sprung eternal again for Falcons fans.  

However, after a nifty return by Cottage Grove's Jacob Dunn to the Falcons's 47, the Lions went on a 10  play drive which culminated in an Erick Giffen 31 yard field goal to extend the lead to 31-13.  On the ensuing Elmira drive, Rowdy Ramirez threw his first interception of the season and it was returned to the 4 yard line which was converted to a touchdown by Cottage Grove quarterback Dylan Graves.  It was his third rushing touchdown.  The Lions' Fernando Giffen also scored three touchdowns.  

With the loss, the Falcons fell to 4-2, 1-2 in the conference, with the final conference regular season game on the road next Friday October 12, against mighty Marshfield, who will be heavily favored.  The Falcons will be without the services of linebacker/wide receiver Gavin Parker who was suspended for two games for disciplinary reasons.  

"Marshfield is above and beyond good," Peeler commented.  "They have 92 plus players on their team.  They have a Division 1 tight end already committed to Oregon State University.  We will have our hands full all night just trying to compete with them."

Lady Falcons Come off the Deck to Swab Pirates

With the cacophony of 11 goals scored on them two nights before still resonating in their ears, the Elmira girls' soccer team came home Thursday night to the best present they could have asked for;  a winless Marshfield team still looking for their first win of the season.  

Showing, before unseen, ferocity, the Lady Falcons used a combination of midfield strength and a decided advantage in team speed to thump the Lady Pirates 4-1 in a injury shortened game Thursday October 4 at Swartz Field.  An unidentified Marshfield player was reported to have dislocated her knee and after the delay, the game was called.  

Elmira's Kennady Laing fires a goal past Marshfield goalkeeper Sabrina Thurman in the first half of the Falcons' 4-1 victory Thursday October 4 at Swartz Field.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie

With the exception of a defensive lapse when Marshfield's Khaley Aquliar broke through on a breakaway to register Marshfield's lone score, the remainder of the game was decidedly played at the other end of the field, where Kennady Laing and Clair Head made repeated assaults on the Lady Pirate's goal.  At the half, Elmira had already out shot Marshfield 15-3, unofficially.  Laing scored twice from point blank range in the first half to stake the Lady Falcons to a 2-0 lead.  

The Falcons' Maddie Wisner wins a battle for the ball in Elmira's 4-1 over Marshfield Thursday October 4 at Swartz Field.
Photo by Kimberly Lillie

In the second half, goals by Eden Blunt and Kaycee Monagon put the game out of reach of Marshfield.  Throughout the game, Elmira's superior strength in the middle continually propelled the Falcons ferocious attack leading to repeated sprints and open shots on the goal.  Head had 4 drives on goal that were near misses.  One was called an offside.  

Paige Reichenberger splits two Marshfield defenders as she rushes on goal in the Falcons' 4-1 win over the Lady Pirates, Thursday October 4 at Swartz Field.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie

The win raised the Lady Falcons' record to 4-4-1 (2-2), alone in second place in the Sky-Em Conference, while Marshfield fell to 0-9 (0-4).

Ossowski Coming off Strong Performances in Cross Country

Elmira Cross Country runner Paul Ossowski has been leading the boys cross country team saving his two best performances the last two weeks.  Ossowski finished fourth last weekend at the Rock n River Invitational, finishing the 5000 meter race with a strong time of 17:06:20.  The Falcon's Keegan Cook finished 9th in the race with a time of 17:38:50.

Ossowski topped that performance the previous week at the Harrier's Challenge bringing home the second place medal with a time of 17:49 even. 

This Saturday the Falcons will traverse the Paul Mariman Invitational at Philomath High School, as they move closer to Elmira's home meet, the Country Fair Classic, Wednesday October 17.

***Any photographers who would like to contribute to my coverage of Cross Country please feel free to forward your photography as an attachment to jhuls@fernridge.k12.or.us.  You will be given full photo credit***

Marist Catholic Carries Out Crusade Against Falcon Teams

No way to mitigate what happened Tuesday October 2.  No highlights to feature.  Elmira played Marist in three different games; girls' soccer, boys' soccer, and volleyball.  Not one of the teams could register a score in their contests.

The most competitive team was the volleyball team which stretched the Spartans in the second game of their match at Marist High School, losing 25-20.  The final scores were 25-9, 25-20, and 25-11.

Meanwhile, back at Swartz Field in Elmira, the boys' soccer team was getting manhandled by the Spartans 6-0, their second worst defeat this season. 

Finally, back at Marist High School, the girls' soccer team was demolished 11-0.  Like the Crusades, soon these scores will be nothing but history.

Elmira Guilty in Homecoming Massacre

By the time that Rowdy Ramirez got to step into the huddle for his first varsity start at quarterback for the Falcons, his defensive team mates had already spotted him a 7-0 lead 47 seconds into the game.  Josiah Hernandez picked up a fumble forced by Brady Scroggins and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown and the Falcons never looked back, giving their 2018 Homecoming crowd a satisfying 50-6 drubbing of Junction City, Friday September 28 at Swartz Field.

Elmira's Brady Nagel runs for some of his 161 yards rushing yards as Alex Head blocks for him.  The Falcons easily defeated Junction City 50-6 for Homecoming 2018, Friday September 28 at Swartz Field.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie

Ramirez was relatively efficient connecting on 8 of 15 for 107 yards, 2 touchdowns and a 2 point conversion.  Ramirez also ran for two short touchdowns as well.  Ramirez was also aided by another dominating rushing performance by Brady Nagel, who rushed 13 times for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns on runs of 16, 12, and 11 yards.  

It was defense however that was the catalyst for the Falcons' dominating performance.  Besides the scoop and score fumble recovery, Elmira registered an interception, 3 sacks, and held the Tiger's offense to a paralyzing 56 total yards.  The offense ground out 24 first downs and held a 3 to 1 time of possession advantage.

Junction City tailback Garret O'Callaghan is tackled for a loss by Elmira defenders Wolfgang Marsalis and Gavin Parker as Rowdy Ramirez moves in to assist during the Falcons' 50-6 Homecoming victory, Friday September 28 at Swartz Field.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie

If there was an ugly side to the convincing victory it was found in the only scoring drive by the Tigers late in the first half.  Elmira ushered Junction City to their goal line with an inexplicable string of 4 personal fouls; two roughing the passer penalties and two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, at least one each by linebacker Gavin Parker.  The Falcons had a staggering 12 penalties for 108 yards.

After four consecutive home games, the Falcons now go on a critical two game road swing at Cottage Grove and Marshfield.  These are games that will be critical to Elmira's drive to make the playoffs in 4A down the stretch, before returning home to finish the regular season against highly ranked Klamath Union.  

Lady Falcons Struggle to Get 2nd Win in 10 Years over JC

Coming off a tough loss, Elmira's girls' soccer team brokered an early lead and then survived a furious rally by Junction City to take a 2-1 decision over the Lady Tigers, Thursday September 27 at Swartz Field.  Paige Reichenberger got the Lady Falcons started with a goal inside just outside of 5 minutes into the game.  Elmira kept pressure on in the first half and Lexie Gieger got a breakaway and scored her second goal of the season to put up the Falcons up two and seemingly in control.

"She (Gieger) has really improved on dribbling with a soft touch and keeping the ball in striking distance while sprinting toward the goal," Elmira head coach Rob Lee commented in an email.  "This helps freeze the keeper in her spot, allowing Lexie to place the ball right around her." 

Elmira junior Lexi Geiger rushes into the Junction City zone on her way to scoring her second goal of the season in the Lady Falcons'  2-1 victory over Junction City, Thursday September 27 at Swartz Field. Photo by Kimberly Lillie.

However, a defensive lapse in the last 30 seconds of the first half allowed Junction City's Maya Miller to score and close the gap to 2-1 at half.

The score by the Tigers sparked a furious second half rally by Junction City, where many times the Falcons seemed out of sync and frustrated, unable to manufacture any offense to counter the Lady Tigers' frequent excursions into the Elmira zone.

"(The) girls were a bit worn down," Lee noted   "You could see it in their lackluster efforts to chase down loose balls. Junction city made some adjustments and really put some extra pressure on our defense."  Lee mentioned that Megan Porter and Kati Kennedy did stand out.  Andrah Cobb once again had a sterling performance as the Falcons rode her 9 saves enroute to only the Lady Falcons second victory in 10 years over Junction City.