By Pat McGavin-Photos by Renee Kaspar
Nothing sharpens the mind like a group of players hungry for a win. They are also blessed with the realization of what they were capable of.
The Frankfort Falcons knew they were on the verge of something expressive and special. They saw it during practice and the build up. The momentum was building, in step with the growing confidence and maturity of the team.
Knowing they were playing before a large and excited Homecoming day crowd only deepened their resolve.
By contrast, the Homewood-Flossmoor Kings played the wrong team at precisely the wrong time. The only thing the King probably wondered afterwards is what truck hit them.
The Falcons Varsity dominated every phase with the exhilarating 39-6 victory over the Kings in a River Valley Youth Football League game at Aleck Field on Sunday, September 14.
The win was the first of the year for the Falcons (1-2).
The Varsity turned the game into a feast and celebration that perfectly overlapped with the pageantry and wonder of the Homecoming celebration..
The team erupted for five touchdowns in scoring all of their points in the first half. How dominant were the Falcons in every aspect of the game?
How about this remarkable statistic: the Falcons scored 23 points in less than five minutes on seven yards of total offense.
Grant Urban and Aiden Jedlowski started the rout. On the opening kickoff, Urban drilled a booming kickoff. The ball darted past the Kings’ receivers, who thought it was going into the end zone for an automatic touchback.
Rather the ball settled at the six-yard line, where Jedlowski secured the recovery. Joey Levy scored the opening touchdown on a six-yard run on the ensuing play.
A former soccer player, Urban has made field goals up to 45 yards.
“On those first kicks, I tried to kick them deep because a lot of times the receivers come up because it looks like some people are going to kick it short,” Urban said.
“I always try to kick it deep on the first one.”
With the Kings forced to punt from deep in their own territory, the defensive line broke through and caused a fumble on the snap. Levy alertly picked the ball up and returned it to the one-yard line.
“Our D-line did amazing,” Levy said. “I just got through the line fast, and got to the quarterback and punter really fast.”
Quarterback Will Schlinger, who missed the first two games of the season with an injury, scored on a one-yard keeper.
“I was really nervous,” he said. “This was my first game. It was Homecoming, and everybody’s here. It felt great after not playing the first two games.”
Any quarterback would envy the situation at the start. The first two drives required just one play each to score, thanks to special teams and the defense.
“It matters a lot where you start,” Schlinger said. “We won the field position battle, and we won the turnover battle. You are going to win most of those games when you do that.”
The defense again took center stage. Colton Zvonar was a whirling dervish for the Falcons, showing fantastic range and speed in making plays at the point of impact.
After stopping a Kings’ runner for no gain on first down, his pressure created a high throw by the Homewood-Flossmoor quarterback, Defensive back Justin Titus jumped the route for the spectacular leaping interception. His 30-yard touchdown return punctuated the remarkable five-minute opening stretch by the Falcons.
“They had a wide receiver on my side, and I saw the quarterback drop back and I saw his hips turn in that direction,” Titus said. “I started to backpedal, but I saw the ball was a little high so I jumped up and got it.”
Zvonar, Brody Gish, Kaidreaus Richardson and Noah Kalman maintained the Falcons’ dominance defensively, containing the Kings’ athleticism on the perimeter and blowing up their attack at the point of impact.
After the short fields of the first quarter, the Falcons proved they could score from anywhere on the field.
At the start of the second quarter, Schlinger directed a six-play, 43-yard drive. He connected with Chase Dominy on a beautiful 27-yard throw and catch for the fourth touchdown.
The touchdown had particular meaning for Dominy, who previously played for Homewood-Flossmoor.
“We came out with a lot of energy,” Dominy said. “I know a lot of the players at H-F.”
Urban was 4 of 4 on two-point kicks. Levy also scored on a conversion run.
The big lead allowed the Falcons to play their entire roster.
Running back Julian Parker put the finishing touches on the blowout. Lean and agile, he has great burst on the edge. He carried the ball four successive times. He ended the knockout team performance with a 50-yard touchdown burst down the left edge. He finished with a team-best 78 yards on four carries.
The performance was so complete, by league rules, the Falcons had to continue to kick off. The Falcons had only one second possession.
Their work was done. They made their statement, pointing forward to a bright future. The Falcons made the day joyous and bright, befitting the outsized mood of the Homecoming day.
“Our defensive ends did a great job of slowing them down, and our linebackers stepped up and made great plays all day,” Dominy said.
“It was a fun game, and we took advantage of every opportunity we got and we converted.”
The game was preceded by the Fifth Quarter, a 25-minute controlled scrimmage that allowed many of the younger and developing players additional opportunities. Julian Parker and Tre Breitzke were the standouts during that section.
The jubilant Homecoming victory had many hands involved. The Falcons also received excellent contributions from Jason Thomas, Trey Serauskis, Adam Ristich, Brodon Moore, Orajimetochuwu Okafor, Tyler Knollenberg, Ty Schedin, Tommy McGrath, Jonathan Nwoko, Gavin Gonzalez, James Tverdek, Ethan Low, Camden Flaherty, Samuel Walenga, Will Deady, Aidan Deist, Tommy Leyden, Zachary Ankarlo, Will Blakely, Brenden Rempert, Noah Kalman, Marc Pascual, Adrian Zambrano, Gunnar Thornmeyer, Maron Plummer, Kyle Ball, Brandon Zielke, Jackson Adams, Ryan Stingily, Payton Harper, Matt Connors, Edwin Villagomez, Aidan Hantson, Edan Evans and Mason Halliman.
**Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at JustAllSports.Zenfolio.com.Click RVYFL.**
