Although a 61-20 loss against Tranquillity on Nov. 10 ended the Eagle?s season, their spirits remained in tact throughout.
Tranquillity opened the game with two touchdowns in the first quarter, but the Eagles made a comeback in the second when Ryan Taylor, ?07, caught a 20-yard touchdown pass making the score 13-7.
?We couldn?t contain their runningback though,? Chris Erickson, ?07, said. ?We tried to throw the ball too much instead of running.?
Junior quarterback J.D. Perry had a hand in all three Eagle touchdowns as he passed for two and ran for one.
After a 70-yard kickoff return to start the second half, the Tigers added 10 more points before junior John Petrogonas caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Perry.
?We did a good job moving the ball offensively, but struggled with consistency,? Jon Hall, head coach, said, ?We had a hard time tackling Gerardo Villa, their two-time league MVP and top five rusher in the Valley.?
Perry finished with 73 yard on 15 carries and had his best passing game with 11-24 for 139 yards and one interception.
Junior Joey Montejano also caught 3 passes for 77 yards to lead the Eagle receiving corp. He also rushed for 10 yards on 3 carries.
Though the season was over, the question remained, who would be named the Most Valuable Player [MVP] at the annual football banquet on Nov. 28.
?I think Jordan Hogue would be the team?s MVP,? Chris Erickson said, ?He?s been a good anchor on our line and really plays a good defense.?
While no MVP was named, senior Tim Wilborn was nominated for the Eagle award by his teammates and received the Iron Eagle award from coach Lou Razo.
Wilborn was also WSL first team all-league at guard for his second consecutive year.
?Tim has led by example and is one of the most dedicated players I have ever coached,? Hall said. ?He never missed a workout or practice and was extremely coachable.?
While FC?s overall record ended 1-9 and a NWSL record of 0-4, their biggest accomplishment was not on the field, but in their attitudes.
?We have grown so much this year and I know that each player will be a ?better man? for all the lessons learned,? Hall said. ?I?ve been so proud of their attitudes.?
