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!
Monday, October 8, 2018
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."
"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."
Friday, October 5, 2018
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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 |
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
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***
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.
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.
Monday, October 1, 2018
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.
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.
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.
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| 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.
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| 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 |
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."
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.
"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."
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| 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.
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