Cathedral Catholic HS – It was a road game Thursday for the Torrey Pines Falcon Freshman Football team.  But, the “Road” was Del Mar Heights. Several hundred fans, classmates, parents and siblings made the short trip to support three busloads of players and cheerleaders.  The Falcon crowd swamped the Dons side of the field.  Unfortunately, on the field, the Falcons got swamped, 35-0.

              The game started with an exchange of punts.  Cathedral managed only four plays after receiving the Opening Kick-Off, while the Falcon Offense went three-and-out.

              Cathedral struck on its next possession, though, taking only five plays to score despite tackles by Defensive Lineman Grant McGahey and Linebacker Jonathan Raby.  Dons, 7-0.

              A five-yard gain on a sweep by Falcon Tailback Collin Brown got Torrey Pines started on the next drive.  Then it was Fullback Tully Burgoon up the middle for 8 yards.  A seven yard loss on the next play had the Falcons stalled until Quarterback Mark Detrow hit Tight End Liam Barnes for a 15- yard gain. (video #1)

              The Falcon practice t-shirts say “Step Up.”  And, it was time for the Falcon Offensive Line, rebuilt after the Oceanside Scrimmage, to Step Up.  Tackles Derek Lipinczyk and Jacob Alsadek, Guards Jack Condon and Tyler “T-Bone” Lavery, and Center Andrew Maneval proceeded to blow big holes in the Don Defense as the Falcon Offense marched down the field on a sustained, clock-killing, 13-play drive.  It was Burgoon up the middle for big yards.  Then, a misdirection to halfback Cole Jaczko for 11 yards.  Then Burgoon again between the Tackles.  After an incomplete pass in the end zone, the Falcons mixed it up with runs by Brown (Video #2) and Jaczko as the Falcon O-Line dominated its counterparts.  But, the end result was a blocked field goal, and the Falcons were still down, 7-0.

              The Torrey Pines Defense held on the next possession as interior Linebackers Chase Pickwell and Miles Ahles stopped the Don’s scary fast fullback for no gain on the first play.  After a penalty on the Dons, it was Pickwell again with the stop, while Safety Jaxon McAllister saved a touchdown after a long run on the next play.  A third-down sweep was gang-stifled by the Falcon “D”, and the Dons were forced to punt.  Still, 7-0.

              For the Falcon Offense, it was more Tully Burgoon, including a first-down run of 8 yards, and a Detrow pass to Brown for three more yards.  But, the Don Defense stiffened and the Falcons punted.

              Cathedral features two explosive tailbacks.  One is big and strong and fast.  The other is simply fast.  And Don QB Garrett Bogart threw for 3 TDs and ran for 20 yards.  We might not see a backfield like this again all season.  On the next series they proceeded to rip off some sizable gains despite a big stop by Defensive Tackle Aaron Smalls on one play, and a stop for a loss by D-End Billy Maggs on another.  The Don drive culminated in a touchdown pass and it was, 14-0.

              There were some second half heroics: a beautiful 24-yard punt return by Dillon Loyek; a fumble recovery by Raby, a tipped pass and deflection by Pickwell.  Lineman Eric Cabrera made one of the more intelligent plays of the evening.  An up man on kick-off returns, he was the surprised recipient of a short Don kick-off.  He alertly fielded the ball, but then realized he was a lineman, not a ball carrier.  Rather than risk a fumble with the entire Don kick-off team converging, he wrapped both arms around the ball, put his head down, and headed up field for a short gain—giving the Falcons great field position.  Kick Returner Brian Cuff had the crowd on its feet as he weaved his way through the Dons for a 50-yard kick-off return.  Linebacker Nolan Weinberg came on late to make two big stops, while Fullback Jaxon McAllister (video #4) ploughed his way up the middle for some big carries in the fourth quarter, including a 20-yard, chain-moving run up the middle.

              The Falcon Cheer Squad performed flawlessly and had the crowd holding its collective breath with some daring, high-altitude throws and (thankfully!) catches.  Great teamwork and enthusiasm, Ladies!

              (Very) Unofficial Stats:

              DEFENSE (Tackles – ½ for shared tackles)

              Jonathan Raby                  7            (+ fumble recovery)

              Chase Pickwell   5 ½        (+ tipped pass)

              Jaxon McAllister             5

              Grant McGahey              3 ½

              Michael Cox                     2 ½

              Phillip Wright                    1 ½

              Nolan Weinberg             1 ½

              One Tackle Each:  Miles Ahles, Billy Maggs, Aaron Smalls, Chris Carter, Ryan Bath (+ tipped pass), Brian Cuff

              OFFENSE  (Carries – Net Yards)

              Tully Burgoon     (10 – 30 yards)

              Jaxon McAllister             (5 – 25 yards)

              Jonathan Raby    (4 – 13 yards)

               Collin Brown                    (6 – 12 yards)

              Cole Jaczko                     (3 – 11 yards)

              Mark Detrow                   (2 – 0 yards / 3-6 passing, 18 yards, one INT, one drop)