Falcons v. Rancho Bernardo, September 17, 2009

By Tim Pickwell

Torrey Pines – The Falcons found their compass Thursday, defeating Rancho Bernardo, 51-0.

              Last week, after the humbling game at Cathedral Catholic, the Torrey Pines High School Freshman coaches assessed their team strengths (a robust offensive line, an abundance of quality fullbacks), and advised the players, “well, we’re not an ‘edge’ running team.  We’re more of a north-south (i.e. direct) running team.”

              During a short week of practice, the coaches made some slight personnel adjustments and threw out half the playbook.

              Torrey Pines started the game on Defense.  But, tackles by linebackers Jonathan Raby and Chase Pickwell forced a three-and-out for Rancho Bernardo.  A long, weaving return on the punt by Falcon Collin Brown gave the offense good field position.

              Now it was time for the coaches to pull out their compass.  They pointed Fullback Tully Burgoon Due North and let him go.  On the first series it was Burgoon up the middle for 2 yards. Then Burgoon behind left tackle Derek Lipinczyk and a convoy of blockers for 9 more. Again to Burgoon—this time up the middle and straight North for 15 yards.  Another hand-off to Burgoon for 11.  Then, a fake to Burgoon, and a five-yard run by Jaxon McAllister behind right tackle Jacob Alsadek and pulling guard Johnny Yacovelle for a touchdown.  Holder Mike Ward fielded a difficult ground-ball snap and set it up perfectly for kicker Brown.  Falcons, 7-0.

              After the Falcon offense stalled and turned the ball over on downs, D-lineman Michael Cox stopped the first Bronco play.  Then, cornerback Brian Cuff tipped an errant pass to safety McAllister who returned the ball to the Rancho Bernardo 42.  Two plays later, McAllister took a hand-off, pointed north, and went 25 yards up the gut for his second touchdown of the game.  Falcons, 14-0.

              Defensive End Billy Maggs, and D-Tackle Cox helped shut down the Rancho Bernardo passing attack on the next series with two sacks   Then, it was back to the ground as McAllister, Raby and Cole Jaczko alternated carrying the ball behind Tackles Lipinczyk and Alsadek, Guards Jack Condon and Yacovelle, and Center Andrew Maneval.  Raby took the ball in from the 7-yard line.  Falcons, 21-0 at half-time.

One Minute Blitzkrieg KO’s Broncos to Start Second Half

The Falcons received the kick-off in the second half and took the ball out near mid-field.  QB Mike Ward handed the ball to fullback Pickwell who went wide to the right side, picked up two blocks, broke a tackle, and then sprinted 63 yards through the Bronco defense for a touchdown.  When Rancho Bernardo fumbled the kick-off, McAllister recovered.  This time, Ward handed off to Brown, who went 28 yards up the middle for a TD.  Two hand-offs, two TD’s.  Elapsed time: 45 seconds.  Score: 35-0.

              The misery continued for RB on the next defensive series, as linemen Aaron Small and Phillip Wright combined with linebacker Pickwell to close down the Bronco attack and force another punt.  Five minutes later, Brown added another TD off a 47-yard run.  Falcons, 42-0.

              Running backs Eric Mejia and Troy Woodhall carried on the next possession as the line continued to open some nice holes.  Mejia took it in from the five yard line to put the game entirely out of reach, 49-0.

              Defensive Lineman Chance Canedy dropped the Bronco QB for a safety near the end of the 4th Quarter to make the final, 51-0.

              This North-South Thing May Work

Last Thursday the Falcons managed a total of 91 yards rushing against Cathedral.  Against Rancho Bernardo they had that many in the first quarter.  Three boys had over 75 yards rushing for the game. (McAllister, 6 carries for 84 yards and two touchdowns; Brown, 3 for 78, 2 TD’s; Chase Pickwell 2 for 81, 1 TD; fumble recovery and 21 yard gain) while Burgoon managed 37 yards on 5 carries before leaving the game with an injury.  Jonathan Raby (12 yards) and Eric Mejia (23 yards) both added rushing touchdowns.

Defensive Front Stifles Broncos

The Front 8 in the Falcon’s 4-4-3 Defense absorbed everything the Broncos threw at them.  Led by Cox, Ryan Bath, Billy Maggs and Grant McGahey, eleven different D-Linemen combined for 25 tackles.  LStarting QB Mark Detrow even got in on the act with two second-half tackles from the defensive end position.  Linebackers Raby, Pickwell, Miles Quigg, and Lucas Doucette added another dozen tackles, while LB Nolan Weinberg recovered a fumble.  Outside Linebacker Aaron Small had a sack and another tackle in the backfield to pin back Rancho Bernardo. Cornerback Patrick Boyd (2 tackles) helped ensure that few Rancho Bernardo players leaked through to the secondary.  Result: the Falcon safeties only had to make one saving tackle.

              Very Special Teams

              Special Teams are one-third of the game, and can make or break you.  The Falcons were near flawless Thursday, converting seven PAT’s without a miss, and pinning the Broncos deep in their own territory while also causing two fumbles.  Andrew Maneval, Robby McKight, Sean Haratyk, and Dillon Loyek all had solo tackles on kick-offs. 

              Next week:  Road trip to Poway to play the Titan “A” Team, winner of its first three games.  Game time is 4:00 PM (Not 5:00 PM).