Despite a 42-28 defeat at the hands of the Valley Christian Chargers last Saturday that closed out their preseason, the Scotts Valley Falcons (2-2) have plenty of bright spots to focus on as they head into league play.
“We were in that game through the fourth quarter,” coach Louie Walters said. “A couple of balls bounce our way, and we beat those guys.”
Few could have foreseen a close contest early on against the perennial state powerhouse Chargers, when the Falcons fell behind 21-0 in the second quarter, thanks to the explosive running of Valley Christian halfback Byron Marshall, who amassed 211 rushing yards on the day.
But the Falcons got on the scoreboard shortly before the half on a pass thrown by flanker Aldin Barrett to quarterback Blake Jurich, who had handed the ball off earlier on a reverse. Jurich ran 53 yards untouched into the end zone.
Jurich and the Falcons regrouped at halftime, setting them up to trade touchdowns with the Chargers and launch two lengthy drives that went for touchdowns. Jurich scored on a 9-yard run, and receiver Ryan Estrada scored a 12-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter as part of his 11-catch, 120-yard afternoon.
When the Falcons’ defense forced a punt on Valley Christian’s next possession, Jurich had the team moving again, eyeing a touchdown that would have made the score 35-28. But after Barrett made a catch at midfield and bulled forward for extra yards, Valley Christian stripped the ball and scored less than a minute later. A 1-yard touchdown run by Jurich on the next possession changed the score to 42-28, but it couldn’t change the outcome.
One thing the Falcons will look to improve in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League play is their performance in the early part of their games, a deficiency that plagued the team in its losses to Alice, Texas, and to Valley Christian, as well as its win against Leland High.
Another question mark is the defense, which has allowed at least 34 points in three of its first four games.
“Our defense is going to be fine,” Walters said, paying homage the offensive firepower of the team’s preseason opponents. “We’re not as big as in the past, and we’re definitely less experienced there. Over time, they’re going to get better.
“Against a brutal preseason schedule, we got out 2-2 and we’re healthy. And that schedule did exactly what we intended — it made us better.”
The Falcons have a bye this week. Their next game will be at home Friday, Oct. 9, against Santa Cruz.
