The Falcons played with a lot of heart during the 2015 homecoming game on Oct. 2, but the visiting squad from Casa Grande managed to gain and maintain the momentum, going on to win by a final score of 35-0.

Amidst all of the action on the gridiron, visiting fans donning lots of blue and silver enjoyed an extended halftime show boasting a performance from the local cheer squad and marching band, as well as the presentation of homecoming royalty.

On the field, the Falcons came out fired up as ever, playing toe-to-toe with the Cougars until the visiting team managed to find the end zone shortly before the clock reached zero in the first quarter.

Earning that first TD seemed to spur Casa Grande on as the team managed to put 14 on the scoreboard in the second quarter and another 14 in the third. The fourth remained scoreless for both sides, resulting in the 35-0 win for the visiting Cougars.

“Our defensive plan was to make the quarterback hold the ball, and the longer he held the ball the more likely we’d get someone in to hit him,” said head coach Willie Dudley.

“Their quarterback was rattled and you could see that. He was making throws he doesn’t ordinarily try. I think we made him frustrated, which is good.”

The problem, according to Dudley, is that the local team seems to do several things well before self-destructing the momentum. Once they nail down the follow-through, Dudley said the Falcons will find their rhythm.

The Falcons had a bit of trouble getting their passing game moving, with Derek Weinreich going five for 17 with 77 total yards and Jake Steuber going three for eight and five yards.

Trey Fuller and Daniel Butler pulled down two apiece, going for 24 and 22 yards, respectively.

The Falcons had a bit more luck on the ground with Nick Valazquez carrying 12 for 64 yards and Butler toting 17 for 57.

Dudley said that, despite the final score, the Falcons’ defense had a good night, bringing down lots of Cougars and stopping plays.

“Our defense played well throughout the game, but then we let them have some easy scores,” Dudley said.

“My thought is that, both offensively and defensively, we’re one assignment away from making things happen.”

In other words, the Falcons’ offense is able to move the ball down the field, but can’t quite put it in the end zone. On the other side of the ball, the local boys are holding strong defensively, but the only play that slips past is usually a costly one.

Max Jordan brought down nine opponents, assisted on another eight and provided two sacks on the night. Kainoa Reid offered four tackles and four assists, with Kamren Vogel tackling two and helping out on another two.

Moving deeper into the second half of the season, the Falcons are now set to take on Florence on the road this week, heading to the Gophers’ turf for a 7 p.m. outing Friday, Oct. 9.

The team will be back on the home field during fall break, welcoming the squad from Coolidge to the high school field on Oct. 16 for another 7 p.m. showdown.

“I think [homecoming] was a turning point for the team,” Dudley added.

“We hit a lot harder and were much more aggressive than in the past, which is huge for us. We’ve just got to keep working at it.”