FOOTBALL SPORTS SHORTS, 2008
(Latest football shorts will be at the top of the section. Scroll down to check out past results. Tournament games do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for football features)

Check out the 2008 schedule and stay up to date on stats and standings at Maxpreps.com. The varsity finished the season at 1-6 overall, and 0-2 in the West Sequoia League. The JV finished the season at 8-2 overall and 3-1 in the West Sequoia League.

FOOTBALL, 2008
FC trashes Orosi, Nov. 14
With a full season of preparation and the last football game of the season on the line, the Eagles gave their school something to be proud of in a 42-6 wipeout of the visiting Cardinals, Nov. 14.

As he entered Luna’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant, Landon Martens, ’10, summed up the contest with the following: “the perfect game.”

Martens did his part for FC, scoring 2 touchdowns in the 2nd quarter to give the Eagles a 20-0 lead. His 2nd score came on an 80-yard kickoff return with only 50 seconds remaining in the half.

“I thought our team did a really good job of executing plays on offense and not allowing a lot of yards on defense,” Martens said. “I really enjoyed playing back down on the JV with all my friends and dominating with them this season!”

Quarterback Riley Endicott, ’10, completed 9 of 15 passes for 80 yards. Martens hauled in 4 receptions for 30 yards and had 1 interception, while Kasey Thompson, ’11, rushed 14 times for 109 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, Andrew Evans, ’11, led the team in tackles with 7 a sack, and Tyler Revis, ’10, got 5 tackles and recovered a fumble.

Upon completion of the game, over 80 students and faculty members gathered at Luna’s to celebration the win. After socializing over pizza, pasta, bread, and salad, the student body led cheers for their football team before dispersing into the night with an exciting start to their weekend and hope for next season.

EAGLES FINISH LEAGUE SEASON, Nov. 7
Stifling defense saw the Eagles run away with their second win in as many weeks, 19-0, Nov. 7.

The team finished their league season in 2nd place behind rival Fowler (4-0).

Check back later for a complete summary of the game.

EAGES QUIET HOMECOMING IN PARLIER, Oct. 31
Instead of trick-or-treating on Halloween, the Eagles travelled to Parlier to play the Panthers, Oct. 31.

Behind a dominate 1st half performance and with the help of several juniors, FC prevailed 40-28.

Jake Sorenson, ’12, threw for a season high 118 yards with a 75% completion average. The quarterback also rushed 4 times for 27 yards and a touchdown.

Casey Thompson, ’11, rushed 13 times for a total of 182 yards, and scored a personal-best 3 touchdowns. Thompson hauled in a pass from Sorenson which turned into a 76-yard touchdown reception in the 3rd quarter.

On the defensive end, juniors Julio Ibarra and Tyler Revis led the way with 15 and 13 tackles respectively. Revis also came up with a season-high 2-and-a-half sacks to lead the team.

JV SEEKS TO CARRY LOAD LEFT BY VARSITY, Oct. 24
With their varsity teammates unable to compete against Fowler, the Eagles’ JV team carried the weight of the school on their backs, Oct. 24.

Although they staged a spirited 2nd-half comeback, the Eagles suffered just their second loss of the season, 36-15.

The Redcats jumped all over FC early with 3 touchdown passes to 3 different receivers, giving them a 22-0 lead with 4:48 remaining in the 1st quarter.

After entering halftime in their biggest hole of the season so far, the team came out in the second half and demonstrated what the coaches and players call “Eagle football.”

First running-back Kasey Thompson, ’11, scored on a 10 yard run with 1:59 left in the 3rd quarter, then the 2-point conversion was hauled in by wide-receiver Jeremiah Brown, ’12, and suddenly the Eagles trailed by only 2 touchdowns, 22-8.

After a key 3-and-out stop by FC, the Eagles entered the final quarter looking to rally from behind on the visiting Redcats. Three and a half minutes later, it looked like they might do just that, as line-backer Chandler Vargas, ’12, recovered a fumble on the Fowler 1 yard line.

“The quarterback fumbled the ball and I was able to break through the line,” Vargas said. “I just dove on the ball, and thought I was in the endzone.”

On the very next play, quarterback Justin Wilson scored on a QB sneak with 8:24 remaining in the game to pull FC within striking distance, 22-15.

Though a win over their league-rival was what the Eagles and their fans craved, it was not to be on this night.

With 2:05 left in the game, the Redcats halted the FC rally with a touchdown, then converted the extra point as well, putting the game all but out of reach, 29-15. Fowler later scored one final time off an interception with only 17.6 seconds to play.

Despite the eventual disappointing outcome, Thompson remained positive throughout the game, joking with the varsity players on the sideline and keeping a level head even after he was victimized by a late hit.

We went out and fought hard, but unfortunately they came out on top,” Thompson said. “I’m very satisfied with the way I played. The Lord gave me his strength tonight.”

EAGLES FAIL TO MATCH COWBOYS’ INTENSITY, Oct. 17
After traveling a half hour to Riverdale, a town known for it’s infamous water and agriculture, the Eagles lost their second straight game to the Cowboys, 38-3, Oct. 17.

Less than two minutes into the game, Cowboys running-back Tim Brown, ’09, scored the first of his 3 touchdowns on a 52-yard field run to put Riverdale up 6-0.

The Eagles only score of the game came midway through the opening quarter, when Jordan Lowery, ’09, booted a 38-yard field goal to make the score 6-3.

Although the game was close through the first quarter, with only 13 players in uniform the Eagles could not sustain their energy in the second half. Behind a 72-yard Brown punt return, and strong play from quarterback Rickey Brown, ’09, Riverdale outscored FC 20-0 in the second quarter.

Though the first half saw the Eagles behind by the largest margin since the Mission Prep game, Sept. 26, head coach Bonner Cunnings attributed FC’s “second half fight” to senior leadership.

“I was especially impressed with the effort of three seniors: Trent Souza (’09), Scott Yantis (’09), and Michael Raymer (’09). The leadership that they have provided in such difficult circumstances as we have faced this season proves what kind of Christ-like leaders they will be in their mature years.”

Offensively, Daniel Kingen, ’09, ran for 85 yards on 28 carries, but failed to score for the first time in 3 games. Quarterback Riley Endicott completed 9 of 21 passes for 133 yard, and rushed 3 times for total yards.

Following a scoreless third quarter, Riverdale concluded the scoring with Gerardo Urbieta’s 7-yard touchdown run with 10:33 remaining in the game to seal the Eagles fate.

Despite the blowout, Cunnings remained positive.

“The second half revealed the tenacity of the Eagles,” Cunnings said. “We were able to compete fiercely with a squad of few committed athletes. It is rare to see such a tight-knit group of young men who do not know the word ‘quit.'”

TIGER SCORING BARRAGE DOES IN FC, Oct. 10
With a win finally on their record, FC came into the Tigers lair looking to prove themselves to their cross-league rivals.

The Tigers countered FC’s every move, deflating any chance for the visitors to gain momentum. Although the Eagles got 104 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns from reigning Channel 47 Player of the week, Daniel Kingen, ’09, Tranquillity countered with 254 yards and 3 touchdowns from their star back, Fabian Florez, ’09.

“We are really proud of our young men,” head coach Bonner Cunnings said. “For the first time this year we have given a 4th quarter effort. To see our special teams play with tremendous effort, and our offense score with just a few minutes left in the game was admirable.”

FC lit up the scoreboard early, jumping ahead 13-0 in the first quarter. After Kingen’s 3-yard first quarter touchdown, Riley Endicott’s, ’10, followed with a 2-yard quarterback sneak touchdown less than 3 minutes into the 2nd quarter.

“After going up 13-0, we faced some adversity in our personnel, which forced us to adjust,” Cunnings said. “I was proud of our team’s ability to come together during such difficult circumstances.”

However, exactly 2 minutes later, Tranquillity’s Florez ran in for a 49-yard score-the first of 5 straight unanswered Tiger touchdowns.

“In the first half, we contained Florez, but he ran over our line in the second, and we never recovered,” right cornerback Aaron Hedrick, ’10, said. “We as team also fell apart in the second half because of certain circumstances that we couldn’t control.”

FC then failed to score until only 2:31 remained in the game. The final 2 Eagles touchdowns were collected by Kingen. The first one started with a short screen pass from Endicott, which he took 40 yards to the end zone.

“Daniel caught a short pass, and turned it into a 40-yard touchdown,” Endicott said. ” He made tons of big plays for us by rushing, receiving, and playing defense.”

Newcomer Amin Haddad, ’10, benefitted from an extra week of practice, after declaring himself “not ready” for the homecoming game, as he recovered a Tranquillity fumble.

“The adrenaline was really pumping through me because it was my first game,” Haddad said. “Having all the FC fans cheer for me after I recovered the fumble was exhilarating.”

The fumble recovery drew the praise of his coach as well as the fans.

“It was great to see Amin come up with such a big play,” Cunnings said. “I am looking forward to his development as an athlete. Playing football is something he should have done long ago, but we are privileged to have him on our squad.”

EAGLES BRING HOME VICTORY, Oct. 3
An army of FC homecoming faithful packed Clark Intermediate and watched the Eagles defeat the visiting Kings Christian Crusaders (Lemoore) 34-20, Oct. 3.

With the victory, the Eagles ended a 17-game losing streak dating back to Oct. 6, 2006, when they defeated Tranquillity 42-20. After playing in that game in ’06, assistant coach Chris Erickson (’06) watched his school struggle through a win-less ’07 season before breaking through against the Crusaders.

The Crusaders went up 6-0 in the first quarter on a 15-yard touchdown pass from junior Aaron Odland to senior wide receiver Jared Wild. However, that is as close as Kings Christian would get; the Eagles dominated both sides of the ball.

For some seniors, the game marked the first win of their football careers and marked the first career win for head coach Bonner Cunnings.

“Earlier in the season, we fell apart, but needed to go through the learning process,” Cunnings said. “We believed in each other and didn’t doubt ourselves.”

At 11:49 in the second quarter, junior Eric Kister scored on a 3-yard touchdown run, and FC went ahead 7-6 after senior Jordan Lowery scored his first of four PATs.

Running back Daniel Kingen then proved again why he is a dominating force in the Eagles’ offense. Kingen scored his first of 3 TDs when he finished an Eagle drive with an 8-yard scamper.

“I felt very honored to be selected as the player of the week,” Kingen said. “I could never have gotten this honor without my blockers and lineman. Finally the other schools get to see what we’re made of.”

Kingen rushed for a total of 208 yards on 29 carries earning him CBS’ Channel 47 Player of the Week honors.

After taking a 14-6 lead into the locker room, FC dominated the second half as well, outscoring the Crusaders 20-14.

Halftime festivities included marching band performances, the presentation of class floats and the crowning of the homecoming court. Samantha Krikorian and Coleton Hutchins, ’08 alumni, returned to crown homecoming king Scott Orcutt and queen Janae Ford, as well as class princesses.

The third opened where the Eagles left off when the Eagles added to their lead when junior quarterback Riley Endicott hit Lowery on a 15-yard pass and run play for a TD at the 9:38 mark. Kingen then scored on a 25-yard TD run.

Endicott, who played the entire 2nd half, threw for 61 yards on 6-11 passing. Starting quarterback Eric Kister finished with 74 yards on 6-9 passing.

Early in the 4th quarter, with a 27-14 lead, the Eagles were forced to punt on 4th and long from the Crusaders 40-yard line. However, the tide turned as Lowery was knocked to the ground, in the act of punting, drawing a flag on Kings Christian for roughing the kicker.

Though rattled by the blow, Lowery rebounded and completed a near perfect kicking game, going 4-5 on point-after attempts.

“Our defense wasn’t up to par, but our offense really stepped up their game,” Lowery said. “This win will boost our confidence for future games.” Lowery caught 11 passes for 131 yards, including a 22-yard pass and run.

The Eagles gained a first down on the play, and 3 plays later, Kingen broke free for a 17-yard run and his third touchdown, pushing the lead to 34-14, with just under 8 minutes left in the game. Kingen finished the game with 208 yards on 29 carries.

The Crusaders closed out the scoring with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Odland to junior quarterback Matt Rhodes.

“Long hours at practice this week broke some bad habits,” Cunnings said. “The team dinners on Thursday nights have also been instrumental in strengthening the team.”

ROYALS EXPLOIT EAGLES’ WEAKNESSES, Sept. 26
Following a slow Eagles’ start, and quick barrage of touchdowns by the visiting Royals, FC fell behind, and never recovered, falling 62-3 to Mission College Prep, Sept. 26.

Only 26 seconds into the game, Royal’s quarterback Dylan Morrow ran the ball 65 yards for a score, and followed that less than 5 minutes later with with a 40 yard touchdown pass.

For many fans the game seemed decided after the first quarter as Mission College Prep led 28-0.

The Eagles capitalized on only 1 drive the entire game. With 5:42 remaining in the second quarter, Jordan Lowery, ’09, booted a 39 yard field goal to put FC on the board.

However the positive energy that they generated from the drive was shut down by the Royals, who proceeded to register 5 more touchdowns throughout the remainder of the game.

Mission College Prep’s Morrow threw for 4 touchdowns while running for 2 more, and kicker Neal Hetzel was a solid 8 for 9 on point after attempts.

FC’s Riley Endicott completed 8 of 16 passes, throwing for 44 yards, despite getting hammered on nearly every play.

“I got hit on almost every play we ran,” Endicott said. “We missed some of our starters today, and it showed. I’m hoping we do better next week with them back.”

Filling in for injured running back Daniel Kingen, Julio Ibarra, ’10, ran for 34 yards on 21 carries to lead the team in rushing.

DEFENSIVE WOES COST EAGLES, Sept. 19
Though trailing by only 2 touchdowns at the midway point, FC staggered on defense in the second half.

They allowed 35 points after halftime, eventually loosing 56-21 to Strathmore, Sept. 19.

The Spartans grabbed an early 14-0 lead and never looked back as they held FC to only 1 touchdown in the first half.

Head coach Bonner Cunnings praised the play of recently called-up defensive lineman Nathaniel Nyberg, ’10.

“After the first game of the season, we brought Nathaniel up to varsity,” Cunnings said. “He has never played football until this season, but he did a great job playing the entire game on defense, without coming out.”

Starting quarterback Riley Endicott, ’10, reflected on the Eagles tough start to the season.

“I’m disappointed in the outcome, because I think we could have played better,” Endicott said. “Although we have a strong foundations to build on, and will be ready for league.”

After halftime, FC stepped it up on offense scoring 2 touchdowns, but simply could not stop the Spartans’ duel running attack of Jesse Soria (179 yards) and Jose Zavala (86 yards).

Soria scored 3 touchdowns on 179 yards rushing, while his teammate Zavala ran the ball in twice.

Looking past the Eagles’ start, Cunnings refers back to the teams’ mantra-Mathew 7:25

The verse reads, “The rain fell, the winds blew and pounded the house yet it didn’t collapse because its foundation was on the rock.”

“I view this game in terms of this verse,” Cunnings said. “What we are trying to do in this football program is build a spiritual foundation so that when we have challenging nights like this one, we can still be rooted in our faith.”

FC DROPS FIRST GAME AT STONERIDGE, Sept. 12
The Eagles played a steady game to open up their ’08 season but fell 3 points short to Stoneridge Christian (Merced) 32-29, Sept. 12.

Running back Daniel Kingen, ’09, rushed for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns, but in the end the game fell just out of reach.

“They had an okay defense, but my linemen did a great job of blocking,” Kingen said. “I was able to counter their blocking well, and finished hard. We just did play disciplined enough to get the job done.”

Though they trailed 18-9 at the half, FC battled back, and grabbed the lead at 29-25 after Quarterback Riley Endicott’s, ’10, 1 yard touchdown conversion.

However the Knights marched down the field with under a minute to go, and scored with 25 seconds left to seal the Eagles’ fate.