Playoff Heartbreak

A valiant playoff effort falls short for the Falcons.

Last Saturday marked the end of a hard fought season for our varsity football team.  They took on the fifth seeded Cosumnes Oaks Wolf Pack, but were unable to come out with a win, as the home team defeated the Falcons, 19-14.

The game was close throughout — mo team seemed to have the game in the bag until the Falcons fumbled the ball while driving for the winning touchdown with less than two minutes to play.  The Wolf Pack recovered the ball and was then able to run down the clock.

CB got off to a great start with senior running back Avante Yarber (’13) scoring the first touchdown of the game within the first four minutes.  The offense continued to move the ball, while the Falcons’ defense continued to play great.

The defense kept the Wolf Pack scoreless until midway of the second quarter and the teams went into halftime with the game all tied up, 7-7.

On their first possession of the 2^nd half, the Wolf Pack scored their 2^nd touchdown of the game.  After stopping the Falcons on their next drive, they went on to score again to take a 19-7 lead.

However, the Falcons would not go down without a fight.

The Falcons got within striking distance at the end of the third after a beautiful trick play.  Senior quarterback Caden Noon (’13) faked the ball one way but handed it off to running back Mason Stahley (’14).  Stahley proceeded to throw the ball down the field to Jalen Walker (’13), who made a spectacular catch as he jumped over the defender in front of him.

This got the Falcons in the red zone, where Noon eventually took the ball, ran through the gaps the offensive line opened for him, and barreled into the end zone.  Ahkello Witherspoon (’13) kicked in the extra point, putting the Falcons within five.

The Falcons once played terrific defense to stop the Wolf Pack and gain control of the ball.  Tight end Hayden Jones (’14) connected on a pass from Noon, which put the ball around the 20 yard line.  With one outstanding play came one disappointing one as Noon fumbled the ball while trying to push the ball towards the end zone.  The Wolf Pack recovered the ball and held it for the remaining time.

The Falcons fought hard the entire season.  For the seniors, it marked the end of their careers here at Christian Brothers.

“I’m just happy that I got to fight with my brothers,” Yarber stated.  “I’m just [so] proud of them.”

Head coach George Petrissans had nothing but glowing comments as the team takes its bow and prepares for next year.

“I take pride in the fact that our boys always fight until the end,” Coach Petrissans said.  “The legacy the boys are going to leave is that they always fight to the end.  They never quit.”