Eagles win first home 11-man game in 5 years

The Eagles went up against Stone Ridge Christian for FC football’s senior night. This was an 11-man football game and the first home 11-man game in five years at FC. Knowing this, the Eagles were determined to fight hard and give their school the first win in five years.

At the start of the game both teams played strong and very defensively. Good plays came from both offenses but it was the defenses of the Eagles and the Knights that kept the first quarter scoreless.

The second quarter began the same as the first with both teams fighting hard to get a score. Eventually the Eagles were able to find the endzone by way of air off a pass from Tyler Villines, ‘18, to senior Julian Castro. Unable to convert the extra point, the score was 6-0. With a few seconds left in the game Stone Ridge crept close to the Eagle endzone, but FC was able to ward them off to hold them scoreless in the first half.

The Knights came out strong in the second half scoring a touchdown in a just few plays after kickoff. Also missing their extra point try, the game was tied, 6-6. The Eagles were upset but not stunned by the score. Villines would take the very next kick return to the house and give the lead back to the Eagles. A successful two-point conversion gave FC a, 14-6, lead. Again Stone Ridge fought back hard and towards the end of the third quarter scored another touchdown. Attempting to tie with a two-point conversion of their own the Knights went for it but failed their conversion and the score was 14-12 in favor of the Eagles.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/291140395″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”150″ iframe=”true” /]

Final quarter of the game and FC was determined to keep the lead. The energy on display from seniors amped up the team and kept their spirits high and their minds focused. Stops were made by both defenses, but eventually, Slater Wade, ‘17, found his way into the endzone to give the Eagles a 20-12 lead. FC’s defense would hold Stone Ridge and not allow any points, giving the Eagles the win.

Many additional plays from the defense allowed FC to stop the offense of the Knights. Senior, Daniel Ayres, had an interception, Wade had a strip fumble recovery, Castro had a fumble recovery, and Matthew Tanaka, ‘17, also had a fumble recovery.

Ayres believes the team played well and recognizes the defenses play which helped. He was excited to capture FC’s first home 11-man game in five years.

“I feel like we played well,” Ayres said. “We were able to execute our assignments on offense and our defense played lock down. Beating Stone Ridge was awesome. They were undefeated coming into the game so beating them for our first home win against an 11-man team in five years was huge.

The win over Stone Ridge Christian puts the Eagles at 8-1 in all competitions. Next week, FC travels to Alpaugh to face off against the Buffaloes.

For last week’s sport short, check out: FC football sport short: Riverdale Christian Academy

This author can be reached via twitter: @Julian_Castro09 and via email Julian Castro