It was a tough loss Friday night as the Falcons faced off with 18th ranked Rockwall. The outcome was not as hoped, as the Falcons turned the ball over 3 times and had several untimely penalties that just can’t happen when you play high quality teams.
The offense moved the ball from 30 to 30 racking up 368 yards of total offense but had trouble getting into the red zone. Leading the way on the offensive side was our two standout wide receivers, Earnest Thomas with 5 catches for 49 yards and Tamarion Crochett with 9 catches for 113 yards, 33 yards rushing, and 1 touchdown. Trey Johnston added a late score to round out the scoring. Long time OL Coach Steve Ford said, “It was a tough battle in the trenches. And at times I felt like we gave Mike the time he needed to deliver the ball, but we really didn’t get the push we needed to be effective in the run game.”
Defensively the Falcons struggled with consistency. Coach Gordon Booker said, “We played well in spurts doing what we have been coached to do. Then random mental breakdowns would occur, and the players just didn’t do what they have been coached to do. Consistency is what we need right now to get to the next level. We did some really good things during the game and got a few stops, but in the end we really need to see the maturity start to come through and that has not appeared as of yet.”
The defense gave up 493 yards in the contest Friday night and their 3rd loss in the district. There were a few guys who stood out defensively at times like DE Nick Acuna, DE Gustavo Rubio, LB Jaylin Grey, CB Aamii Branch and CB Geovani Edwards. “The defensive secondary has been and will continue to be tested every week, and they are due for some take aways,” said DB Coach Mario Edwards. “We really need to train our eyes to be more disciplined.”
Head Coach Eric Luster said, “We played well at times, and it was a good test for us to see where we are in the process of building a program. But our maturity and discipline still have to All photos by JASON BOWIE
Crandall Loses
Tough One to Lovejoy
Moffitt connected with senior tight end AJ Mayfield for a 40-yard completion. This is all Moffitt needed, running it in from 11 yards out a few plays later for the score. Lovejoy led 21-7 early in the second quarter.
The big stop Crandall’s defense needed came this possession. Coach Lewis’s defense forced a three and out giving the offense good field position. Crandall’s sideline was coming alive which fueled the offense on a long drive, converting on two fourth downs. Moffitt would run it in from six yards out, scoring his second rushing touchdown on the night.
The Leopards were able to punch one more in before halftime, bumping their lead to 28-14. Crandall would receive the ball to start the second half.
Crandall would come out and march down the field on a 17-play drive. Unfortunately, they came away with no points on a missed Perez field goal. Lovejoy would take control of the next drive and run it in from nine yards out for the first score of the second half.
Coach Hardin ran his offense on the field with confidence that they would get the job done on this drive, and they did. Crandall ran a reverse to senior receiver Deondre Bowman who then threw the ball to Moffitt for the touchdown from thirty yards out. This was Moffitt’s third touchdown on the night and drew the score to Lovejoy 35, Crandall 21.
The Pirate defense stepped up big with their second three and out on the night. Moffitt did what a senior captain does, marching the Pirates down the field and running it in from four yards out for his fourth touchdown on the night! Lovejoy’s lead had shrunk to 35-28.
Crandall was unable to stop Lovejoy on the next drive with two big yardage plays that ended in a touchdown. This did not sway Crandall from giving it their all. Moffitt drove Crandall 75 yards down the field in 53 seconds for the score. Lovejoy led 42-35 with six and a half minutes left.
Lovejoy would put the final nail in the coffin with a 69-yard completion for a touchdown.
Crandall put up a valiant effort against a very good opponent in Lovejoy. Moffitt, Abron, & Anderson combined for 322 yards rushing and four touchdowns. If Crandall can keep producing these types of numbers on the ground and come up with a few more big stops on defense, they will be a force. Crandall takes on Terrell this Friday at 7:30pm. The game will be played at Terrell Memorial Stadium.
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