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 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the Central Sierra League as of Oct. 31. FC’s next game will be on Nov. 7, as the Eagles play Alpaugh High.

FOOTBALL SPORTS SHORTS, 2014
Drastic win on homecoming night, Oct. 31

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After a week of preparation for homecoming night, the game came with clouds blowing in, wind howling in the players ears, and the teams lifting their helmets up at the end of the national anthem. Off to the side of the field, floats ranged the street, swaying in the rhythm of the wind, all hoping for once that rain would not come to the San Joaquin valley.

The FC Eagles faced the Northwest Christian Guardians whom earlier in the year had lost to the Riverdale Christian Crusaders with a score of 22-60. The Eagles on the other hand beat the Crusaders 70-0, with this in mind the football coaches were ready to place the third and fourth string players in earl in the game to not humiliate their opponents.

The first quarter lasted for forty five minutes due to injuries on the field. The two players which were injured were apart of the Northwest Christian squad. If one more player was hurt from the Guardians, forfeit would be their only option. The final score of the first quarter was 23-0, leading to a hopeful and easy win.

While FC scored 23 points in the second, both teams struggled to pick the pace up and the Guardians remained scoreless. Both teams seemed laid back, not playing to the full use of the clock. With this in mind, the Eagles picked up their speed and ended the second with 19 more points.

This ended the half 42-0, meanwhile the feared rain had begun in the second quarter, leaving the unprepared fans soaked and ready for the main event of the week; the naming of the homecoming court. Check out the article Homecoming Recap by Editor in Chief’s Sara Peterson and Chloe Mueller which goes into detail of all things homecoming court and floats.

Personally it was fun to play in the rain. The defense played really well, yet their are always things to work on for future games. Overall everyone fulfilled their assignments and played to the best of their ability. -Christopher Kollenkark, ’16.

After the half, FC showed their true talent, unlike the first half, the Eagles used the clock to their full advantage. They played with an intensity and readiness despite the massive amounts of rain and wind pounding them from a 45 degree angle.

At the end of the third and fourth quarter the FC football team had annihilated their opponent. Ending the match 77-0, the Eagles had matched the crowds and coaches expectations of an easy and well played game.

Despite the win, Head coach Mick Fuller knew the team was error free in spite of the win, and hopes to fix the small errors which have pervaded the games ever since the start of season.

“The team played reasonably well but we were far from error free,” Fuller said. “We have a lot of work still to do as we finish out the season and hopefully earn a spot in the championship game.We need to continue improving our focus and attentiveness on the sideline. Some players are sadly still getting distracted and missing their substitution calls.”

Junior Chris Kollenkark won the defensive award for the game with 12 tackles and a blocked punt. He believed the defense played well and followed all of the duties assigned to them.

“Personally it was fun to play in the rain,” Kollenkark said. “The defense played really well, yet their are always things to work on for future games. Overall everyone fulfilled their assignments and played to the best of their ability.”

Senior and quarterback Rick Morrison won the offensive award for the game and was quote “ready and confident, making good decisions with the ball. His passes were on target and he ran with good vision,” head coach Mick Fuller said. Unlike Kollenkark, Morrison disliked the rain but was happy with how the team played.

“I was annoyed with the rain but overall I thought the team play well,” Morrison said. “The one thing we need to work on is for the safeties to hang back a little farther and then we will be ready for whatever Alpaugh has to throw at us.”

The Eagles had a sum of 248 total yards and 372 all purpose yards. They left the game with one sack, 166 passing yards and 41 tackles. The overall player of the game was Taylor Howard who played all facets of the game, kicking, receiving, and defense. Through these different responsibilities, he pushed the team to victory by playing to the best of his ability and acting as a role model to the rest of the team.

The FC football team will next play the Alpaugh Buffaloes at home on Nov. 7. Come out and support your Eagles for the last home football game of season play. Will they make it to the playoffs? Be here this Friday to find out.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @J0sh_Carter.