A dream start paved the way to a triumphant finish for the Falcons.
The Foothills Falcons produced a season-high on offence in soaring to a 49-14 victory over Calgary’s Joane Cardinal-Schubert Ravens in a triumphant senior night in high school football action Thursday at Falcons Field.
“That was a huge focus over the last week or two,” said Falcons head coach Nathan St. Dennis. “Really focusing on starting strong, getting after it and all about improving and that’s what we felt like we were missing in that (last) L.C.I. game, that initial, get after it, we were just behind.
“So it was great to start off that way.”
The national anthem was still reverberating around Falcons Field when the home team found its way into the end zone.
Derek Boisvert recovered a Ravens fumble on the opening kickoff and on the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Emerson Liepert linked up with receiver Nathan Voth for a 30-yard touchdown.
“It’s always nice winning like that,” said Falcons wide receiver Lucas Gough. “I think offence played lights out, same with defence, especially on senior night it’s always fun rolling.
“That was a great start to the night. We can’t do it without Jackie Kellogg, our offensive co-ordinator, and St. Dennis putting a great team together.”
The Falcons were back in the end zone in short order with Boisvert’s gritty running setting up a short yardage score from Liepert.
The defence got in on the act as well.
Defensive lineman Toryn Hayward forced a fumble which was then recovered by middle linebacker Jaysen Young for an 80-yard touchdown scamper.
Gough closed the four-touchdown quarter with a 30-yard catch and run major.
In the second quarter, Liepert punched in another running major and tailback Jamison Kloster found paydirt with a powerful, tackle-breaking run.
Defensive back Rylan Neish closed the half with an interception in the end zone.
“We know the (offence) is going to be what we need to succeed further in the season,” the coach added. “Seeing that and running the ball really well was really important for us, we’ve been pass-heavy, so having that has been great and the O-line really got moving.”
Gough, a Grade 12 student, put an exclamation point on the victory with a 60-yard run in the fourth-quarter, tip-toeing down the sidelines in front of the Falcons supporters.
“It was one of those go yard or go home (plays),” Gough said. “That was a great feeling, especially getting two touchdowns on the night, it’s hard to put into perspective, but it’s always awesome in front of the home crowd.”
The Falcons were able to mix lineups as the game progressed, giving playing time across the board on a night which acknowledged the contributions of the seniors on the squad.
“I love that,” St. Dennis said. “It’s not always conducive to that so it was a great opportunity, I talked to their head coach and they had a bunch of backup guys they wanted to get in too in that second half and it was a great opportunity to do a bunch of learning, clear expectations and get to play in front of their friends and family.”
The win snapped a mini-two game winless run for the Falcons (4-2-1) coming off a narrow 14-9 defeat to the L.C.I. Rams and 21-21 tie versus the Medicine Hat Hawks.
“We needed this going into our next few weeks,” Gough said. “The offence, we need everyone rolling going into next week especially with playoffs up ahead.
“From the start of the games, Jasper Place until now, I think is a huge improvement. Everyone is stepping up, from Emerson to (Caleb) Baker, the entire O-line, (Boisvert), we’ve done a hell of a job putting a lot of hours into this, before practice, looking at film, it really has helped.”
The Comp did not play the previous week which St. Dennis said was a welcomed break in what’s been a grind of a season with an independent schedule.
“Having a nice break there to give guys a chance to kind of relax, still working and practising, but a bit differently, has been great for us,” he said. “Because now we’re back into a grind again, Raymond and then it’s do-or-die after that.”
The Falcons take their show on the road next weekend with a marquee matchup versus the Raymond Comets on Oct. 27.
“It’s a great experience, they’re a great program and it’s a great measuring stick” St. Dennis said. “That’s why we do that, it’s all about learning and playing the best team in the province, and possibly the best team in Canada, there’s nothing but positives that come from that.”
Foothills will open its playoff slate the following weekend against the George McDougall Mustangs.
