Soaring Falcons are Grounded by Marist

The magic carpet ride that was flying into the conference schedule for  Elmira's football team was brought to earth in the most guttural way, as Marist Catholic managed to snuff out a Falcon offense that came in to the game as the #3 scoring team in 4A, as the Spartans defeated  then #4 ranked Elmira 15-2.

"We could have won this game," head coach Justin Peeler said as he came off the field.  This could be an enormous understatement.  Peeler was looking back at the squandered opportunities that Elmira left on the field.  Four times the Falcons had the ball inside the Marist red zone; three of those were inside the Spartan's 5 yard line.  On all of those drives, the Falcons were turned away, as they failed to score an offensive touchdown for the first time this year.

Elmira's sophomore quarterback Cobyn Herbert (17) fires a pass under heavy pressure from a defender in the first quarter of the Falcons' 15-2 defeat to Marist, Friday September 21 at Swartz Field.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie

The contest was a defensive slug fest with quarterbacks paying the price.  Passing was a premium for both teams, though Marist QB Joey Laing did manage to connect on a 40 yard pass and the Spartans' halfback Hagen Stephenson connected on a 35 yard option pass.  Both strikes led to both of Marist's touchdowns, a 2 yard touchdown by Hayden Loboy, and a 3 yard run by Laing.  However, the Elmira defense came to play and did their job, pressuring Laing all night, registering 5 sacks and a safety from a holding penalty in the end zone which closed the score to 7-2 in the second period.  The Elmira defense held the Marist offense to under 200 yards.  The Falcons defense was led by Alex Head who rung up 7 tackles on the night.

Elmira running back Ryan Imelm (33) catches a pass in the soft spot of the Marist defensive zone early in the first half of the Spartans' 15-2 win over the Falcons Friday September 21 at Swartz Field.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie

In like manner, the Marist defense dismantled the Falcon offense, punishing Elmira quarterbacks with 8 sacks on the day, usually at the most inopportune moments of the game.  Starting quarterback Cobyn Herbert was workmanlike in passing 8 of 15 for 81 yards.  However, Herbert injured his knee late in the first half while the Falcons were still inside the Marist 5 yard line.  Back up quarterback Wolfgang Marsalis came on and was immediately sacked by Marist and the drive was thwarted.  Marsalis' night was miserable, throwing 2 for 9 and a meager 4 yards while absorbing 5 sacks the rest of the way and failing to show the  kind of foot speed that Herbert has shown that propelled the offense this season .  This changed the complexion of the Falcons offense, which failed to threaten Marist significantly afterwards.

Falcon defenders Blake Wigham (28) and Bryce Sawyer (20) combine on tackling Marist tailback Hayden Loboy during the Spartan's 15-2 victory over Elmira Friday September 21 at Swartz Field.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie

Herbert's knee injury could mean a decision for Peeler between the established backup Marsalis and the faster Rowdy Ramirez, who got quarterback time earlier this year in a mop up role at Suislaw.  The diagnosis and prognosis of Herbert's injury was not available at press time.

The Falcons have the opportunity to get both healthy and back into the win column as they host bottom dwelling Junction City for homecoming this Friday, September 28 at Swartz Field.

Nagel Leads Falcons over #15 North Valley

Christmas came early to Head Coach Justin Peeler and his Elmira Falcons in the form of an extra home game.  Rumored for days, the contest between North Valley  and the Falcons was moved to Swartz Field because of heavy smoke in the Grants Pass area due to wild fires that have plagued the Cascades for weeks.  Relieved of the 2 and half hour convoy down, the Falcons climbed on Brady Nagel shoulders to win a wild 31-28 thriller of then #15 North Valley Friday September 7. 

Receiver Bryson Forsman battles a North Valley defender for a 30 yard reception in the Falcons' 31-28 win Friday September 7.  Photo: Kimberly Lillie

Nagel rushed for 162 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Cobyn Herbert added 60 yards to the potent Elmira ground game as well as blocking a punt that was returned for a touchdown for the second consecutive week. 

"He is fast off the ball and very long," Peeler said of Herbert.  "He just seems to have a nose for the ball."

Sophomore Cobyn Herbert (17) blocks a punt for the second consecutive week.  It was returned by Gavin Parker (11) for a touchdown in the Falcons' 31-28 victory over North Valley Friday September 7 at Swartz Field.  Photo: Kimberly Lillie.

Herbert's block seemed to put the Falcons in control in late in the third period extending the lead to 24-14.  However, Toren Tuttle rallied the Knights with a 14 yard touchdown pass to Elijah Colas, closing the lead to three.  Nagel then ripped off a 54 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to return the lead to 11.  Tuttle rebounded North Valley again driving the Knights late in the game and connecting with Colas for a second touchdown with only 32 seconds remaining.  Colas' 2 point conversion tightened the score to 31-28.  Only a recovery of an on-side kick finally sealed the victory for the Falcons. 

The Falcons' offensive line was stellar against a formidable North Valley D-line, rushing for 229 yards and allowing Elmira to build its lead on Nagel TD runs of 28, 2, and 2 yards. 

"The line is getting better every week," Peeler commented.  "We still need some work on it but we will get there.  Brady had some great vision on the outside runs."

Bryce Sawyer moves up field on a 39 yard kick return in Elmira's 31-28 victory over North Valley, Friday September 7 at Swartz Field.  Photo: Kimberly Lillie

Interestingly enough, the win left the Falcons 2-0 and tied in the OSAA rankings at #8 with their next opponent, Philomath.  The gamer will be Friday night September 14 at Swartz Field.