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. 

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.  

Falcons Take Flight in Win over Philomath; Soar to #4 in 4A

For two consecutive weeks, the Elmira offense was predicated on a strong rushing game with Brady Nagel carrying the bulk of the offensive responsibility and Head Coach Justin Peeler keeping sophomore quarterback Cobyn Herbert on a gradual learning curve.  However, Philomath's strong defensive line necessitated that the young Falcon needed to leave the nest.  The results were profound.

With Nagel held to only 54 yards,  the 6-4 Herbert was loosed on the Philomath secondary,  throwing 3 touchdown passes, two to Bryson Forsman, while the Elmira defense forced 4 turnovers as the Falcons flew to an 18-7 victory over the previously undefeated Warriors.

Herbert was 15 for 26, 223 yards without an interception.

"We knew they were going to blitz a lot and force us to pass," Peeler explained in an email.  "It was nice to see the passing game be successful."

Quarterback Cobyn Herbert throws to a wide open Brady Nagel in the second quarter of the Falcons' 18-7 victory over Philomath, Friday September 14 at Swartz Field.  Photo:  Brad Fuqua/Philomath Express

While Forsman was the beneficiary of 2 scores, it was Rowdy Ramirez who joined Herbert in the coming out party for the Falcon passing attack.  Ramirez caught 7 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

"Rowdy had a great game and was excited for him," Peeler said.  "He is a very hard working player and I love to coach him."

While the passing offense was thrilling for Falcon fans, it was the defense that carried the day.  Against a very effective offensive line that ground out 192 physical yards, the defense used timely turnovers and an epic goal line stand at the end of the first half to win the day.  Elmira registered three fumble recoveries, an interception by Bryce Sawyer, and three sacks on the night.

Gavin Parker hits Philomath quarterback Calvin Snuggerud during the Falcons' 18-7 win over the Warriors, Friday September 14 at Swartz Field.  Photo:  Brad Fuqua/Philomath Express

With Philomath trailing 12-7 late in the second quarter, the Warriors drove the ball to the Falcons' 5 yard line.  There with 4 opportunities, Elmira's defense bowed its back and held the visitors out of the end zone, the fourth down attempt coming with only 5 seconds remaining in the half.  The Falcons scored on the opening drive of the second half and controlled the game from that point forward. 

"The defense was amazing last night," praised Peeler.  "We rallied to the ball very well.  We did get tired, but they really pushed through and got the job done.  They wanted the win and they took it away from them."

Elmira's Bryce Sawyer steps in front of Philomath's Brooks Stearns for
an interception in the fourth quarter of the Falcons' 18-7 win, Friday September 14 at Swartz Field.
 Photo: Brad Fuqua/Philomath Express

Elmira finds themselves in rarefied air, ranked 4th in 4A by the OSAA ahead of Cottage Grove, Marshfield and Marist Catholic.  The league schedule begins next Friday night, September 21 at Swartz Field as the Falcons host Marist, who find themselves on a two game losing streak.  Both Marshfield and Cottage Grove have also absorbed losses this year. 

"Now the grind starts," Peeler opined.  "I am feeling better about going into these games with some good tests.  In years past, our non-league has been very weak.  Marist is tough, but they are on a losing streak right now.  We need to jump on them early and get their confidence down.  Cottage Grove loss was a shocker.  We will see how they are.  They have a lot of new faces, but are well coached."

   

Elmira Opens 2018 with a Bang, Demolishing Suislaw

When asked about the difficult road ahead with three teams in the top five rankings in the 4A-Sky Em Conference, Head Coach Justin Peeler felt like his young, inexperienced Elmira Falcons would be ready for the opening game of the 2018 season against Suislaw.  Peeler may have underestimated his team.

With the Falcons scoring in every conceivable ways on both sides of the ball and the Elmira's defensive line bullying the hapless Suislaw offensive line, Peeler's team raced out to a 28-0 first quarter lead and never looked back, punishing the Vikings 74-6 at Suislaw High School in Florence, Friday August 31.

Viking's quarterback Elijah Blankenship was like a lamb led to slaughter.  The diminutive Suislaw QB was constantly running for his life from a relentless pass rush led by Cobyn Herbert, who led the team in tackles with 4 and registered the only sack of the night.  The pursuit of Blankenship was so vexing that there never seemed a play when Viking passes weren't under extreme duress, rolling out of the pocket and throwing desperately out of bounds. Blankenship was only 6-18 passing for 43 yards and one touchdown.  Blankenship was intercepted three times including a pick six by the Falcons' Rowdy Ramirez that made the score 49-0.

Suislaw quarterback scrambles away from a heavy rush by Elmira defenders Cobyn Herbert (17) and Ryan Imel (33) during the Falcon's 74-6 rout of the Vikings.  Photo by Stan Pusieski/ExplodingWhaleSports.com

In contrast to Blankenship's nightmare, it was the first start for Herbert at quarterback.  Throwing sparingly but efficiently, he was 3 for 4 for 43 yards and two touchdown passes.  Herbert also blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown as well.  Herbert, the 6-4, 195 pound sophomore,  has the confidence of his coach.

"He is a gamer," Peeler said in an email.  "He steps it up a whole level when he steps onto the field for games."

Abundantly clear, early in the game, was that Elmira's defensive line had so thoroughly demoralized the Vikings, that the game lost all sense of competitiveness by midway through the second quarter.  Elmira's huge halftime lead led officials to run the clock on the "mercy rules", without stopping the clock for out of bounds and first downs for the entire second half. 

"Overall, the defense stepped up and dominated the game for us," Peeler commented in an email.

In the wreckage of the aftermath, Elmira could count 5 turnovers forced, holding the opponent to 161 yards and just over 3 yards a play, while accumulating 480 yards and 8 offensive touchdowns.  If there was a flaw in the performance it would point to the 12 penalties for 119 yards.  However, Gavin Laing came off the JV bench to bolt 70 yards for the final score of the night to salve any tarnish from the officials.

"He is special," Peeler said of Laing, "but we want to give him one year of JV.  He will see minutes, hopefully, every week on Varsity.  He has the potential to be a great running back."

The next game is another road game own south at North Valley on Friday at 7pm. Victory in the out of league contest promises to be a more daunting accomplishment for the Falcons.

"This will be a better test as to who we are as a team," noted Peeler.  "They are big and physical.  We need to dominate their line to win this game."

The game will be replayed at 4pm Sunday afternoon by KOCF, 92.5 FM.