Coach Hardin’s Pirates came into this game sitting at third place in district with a record of 2-1. This was a highly contested matchup that did not disappoint! Crandall had not forgotten the rough first round defeat in the playoffs last year at the hands of the Leopards.
In order to keep up with the Leopards’ fast paced offense, the Pirates’ defense would need to make some big time stands. Crandall’s run game would need to aid in scoring points and help keep the Lovejoy offense off the field. Coming into this game, running backs Chris Abron and Andrew Anderson had combined for 1,434 yards of rushing and 23 touchdowns.
Lovejoy would start with the ball on their own 25-yard line. They would strike quickly with a oneyard rushing touchdown. Eight out of the nine plays in the drive were rushes, and Lovejoy only needed 100 seconds to score. If Crandall was to have a chance, the defense would need to stop the run.
The Pirates started on their own three-yard line due to a special teams mishap. Luke Moffitt was not able to get the offense moving, and Crandall was forced to punt after five plays. Brandon Perez’s kick went out on our own 49-yard line, giving the Leopards great field position to start their second drive.
The inability to stop the rush and quick strike passing game killed the Pirates defense. The seventh play of the drive was a 28-yard completion for a touchdown. Lovejoy was up 14-0 halfway through the first quarter.
Crandall stalled again on their offensive drive forcing them to punt. This time it was blocked, giving Lovejoy great field position on Crandall’s own 35-yard line. Lovejoy only needed three plays before running it into the endzone from 26 yards out.
The Pirates needed a jumpstart before things got out of hand. Senior running back Chris Abron gave them just that on the second play of the drive with a 17-yard rush. This gave Crandall some breathing room from being back up deep again in their own territory. On the next play, quarterback Luke All photos by JIM KLENKE
Falcons Fall Hard To
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grow. We have to do what we are coached to do and be all in. We did not perform as well as I would have liked, but there is no time to lick our wounds because Mesquite ISD is up and this is a playoff game for us.” In order to make the playoffs, the Falcons need to win all 3 of their remaining games and the first one is against Mesquite High at Hanby Stadium this Friday night. Kickoff is at 7:00pm.
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