FOOTBALL SPORT SHORTS, 2014

For a preview to the Eagles football season and a look at their scores so far, check out the Fall sport box scores, 2014, for dates, scores, and all fall sports.

Also, please be sure to check out the Eagles’ schedule for the upcoming season at Max Preps. FC is currently 7-4 overall and 4-1 in the Central Sierra League as of Nov. 18.

FOOTBALL SPORTS SHORTS, 2014
Eagles suffer devastating loss, Nov. 14

After the previous year, in which FC was destroyed by Kings Christian, the Eagles wanted to pick themselves off the ground, and they did. The FC football team played the Crusaders once again for the championship game on Friday night, it was televised by ABC 30 at 7 p.m., Nov. 14.

At the start of the first quarter the Eagles were on fire. Putting up two touchdowns with ease. The first touchdown was lead with an amazing catch by Tyler Breedlove which was thrown by Senior QB Richard Morrison. After this touchdown FC was given a confidence like none other, taking risks and making plays throughout the first two quarters which was unlike their usual play making.

While the Eagles put two touchdowns on the scoreboard, the Crusaders made a touchdown and achieved the extra point. This ended the first quarter 14-8. The crowd was in for either a blowout or an interesting game.

Following the same type of play in the first, FC continued with their strong offense. Putting points up onto the scored board with regularity. By the end of the second half the Eagles had the confidence, passion and yearning to win the championship game. At the halfway point the score predicted a blowout, 43-15. The Eagles left the field excited for the half to come and the crowd ecstatically cheering them on.

After the 15 minute break, the Eagles came back on to the field, their adrenaline worn off, and almost lazy, assuming that because of their enormous lead, they were assured the win. Yet FC was about to find out they were in a false reality.

That was the best football game I’ve been a part of. It was the way championship games should be. Both teams played well. There were big hits and big plays form both teams. I hope the boys remember that game and what it meant to be a part of it. The central valley had a chance to see something unusual– two well matched small Christian schools playing with a passion at a high level of intensity and efficiency. -Mick Fuller

In the first half of the third quarter, FC played the now excited and confident Crusaders, yet the Eagles seemed to slowly fall apart after each passing minute. Halfway through the quarter, the Crusaders began their so called, “reign of fire.” They scored 21 points in the last 7 minutes of official play. This achievement left the Eagles afraid and weary. By the end of the quarter, the Eagles remained scoreless, ending the quarter 43-36 still ahead.

The Crusaders were decreasing the distance, making a chance for themselves to win the championship. The Eagles defense slightly pulled themselves together, managing to pull together 13 points in the first eight minutes of play. Meanwhile the Crusaders pulled ahead of the Eagles. For the first time in the game, the Crusaders were ahead, leading by a touchdown, 57-50.

With five minutes left in the game, FC were given the chance to pull themselves back to a tie. They scored a late TD but the extra point failed.

Two more drives were available to the Eagles after a supreme job on the defense in stopping the Crusaders. The first drive was wasted and the offense was unable to make more than ten yards of offense. In the drive for the Eagles, Richard threw a long ball for the third time to Breedlove. The pass was overthrown by a few feet, and Breedlove rolled on the ground with broken ribs. The drive for the Eagles had failed and possession was back with the Crusaders.

With less than a minute left, Kings Christian wasted time and ended the game 57-56.

Head coach Mick Fuller was glad to have been involved with the game, and is thankful that his players got the chance to be apart of such a game.

“That was the best football game I’ve been a part of,” Fuller said. “It was the way championship games should be. Both teams played well. There were big hits and big plays form both teams. I hope the boys remember that game and what it meant to be a part of it. The central valley had a chance to see something unusual– two well matched small Christian schools playing with a passion at a high level of intensity and efficiency.”

Wide receiver and defensive back Breedlove thought the game was the best one he had ever been apart of and wishes that the Eagles had come out of the second half differently. Breedlove achieved 141 yards receiving and proved to be a valuable player for starting FC drives. These achievements lead to Breedlove being nominated for the Week 11 Offensive Player of the Week. After the voting had finished, Tyler Beedlove lost in second place.

“That was the game of my life,” Breedlove said. “I made two amazing catches and I won’t ever forget them. Yet we seemed to come out after half rather lackadaisically. Both Rick {Morrison} and Chris {Kollenkark} played incredibly well and I am thankful for their presence on the field.”

Head coach Mick Fuller believed the reason for the great first half was due to some confusion on the Crusaders defense, and the breakdown of the Eagles in the second half were some accidental mistakes.

“Our team was able to start fast and take advantage of some confusion in the Kings defense,” Fuller said. “We also were aggressive defensively and made some stops in the first half. Yet in the second half Kings took advantage of some breakdowns and personnel changes in our passing defense. On offense, we had a few errant passes and dropped passes. We committed turn-over and a couple of penalties that gave Kings first downs and good field position that that they were able to capitalize on.”

Despite the loss, Chris Kollenkark was thankful for the season and the chance to meet the multi-schoolers. Kollenkark received 117 yds rushing for 4 td’s along with 14 tackles and a fumble recovery, this granted him to be the overall player of the game. Along with Tyler, he was nominated the defensive player for the Week 11 Defensive Player of the Week. Yet like Tyler, he placed second by about a 100 votes.

“It was nice to just get to know my teammates and the multi-school students, Kollenkark said. “When we came out of the second half we just needed to focus more. We were overconfident, and I hope that next year we wont ever make that same mistake again.”

FC had 587 all purpose yards, and 566 total yards. Rick Morrison was the offensive player of the game and made 13/30 passing with 258 yds and 68 yds rushing and whom led a potent offense that scored 56 points.

Meanwhile the defense achieved 56 tackles and one conversion. The Defensive player of the game was Junior Sawyer Bachman who had 10 tackles and gave the team inspiration and intensity throughout the whole game.

The Eagles finished their official season 4-1 and 7-4 overall. Congrats to the football team for making it all the way to the championship game from The Feather.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @J0sh_Carter.

For more sports, read the Nov. 14 article, Senior utilizes natural talent, athletic finesse.