Falcons win season opener

Courtesy photos

It was Friday night lights at Falcon Stadium as the Centauri Falcons took on the Wray Eagles in the season opener. Both teams advanced to the state semi-finals last year. Both teams ranked in the top five in Class 1A. When the final whistle blew it was Centauri winning 28-14.

The Falcons received the opening kickoff and Mason Claunch fielded the ball on the 10-yard line and returned it 41 yards to Wray’s 49-yard line. Behind the running of Zach Buhr and Mason Claunch, the Falcons drove down the field and Buhr scored on a 1-yard run. The PAT kick was no good and Centauri led 6-0.

Both defenses tightened up and at the end of one it was 6-0. Entering the second stanza it was a defensive battle until the Wray Eagles connected on a 66-yard TD pass. A good PAT made the score 7-6 in favor of the visitors. With two minutes to play till half the Falcons mounted a drive on the 26-yard line. Receptions from Peyton Polzin, Buhr, Deven Brady and a rush from Claunch set up a Shawcroft to Baron Holman from 27 yarder for the score. Shawcroft then called his own number on the two-point conversion and the host Falcons went into the half leading 14-7.

In the third, the Eagles took over after a failed field goal attempt by Centauri and hit on a 61 yard TD pass to even it all up at 14-14 end of three.

Brady got things going for the Falcons in the fourth quarter with a pass interception on the 27-yard line. The next play Claunch scampered in for a 27-yard touchdown run. Following a Kaleb Anderson  PAT, Centauri went back ahead 21-14. Thanks to a strong defensive performancew Centauri would begin their next drive at their own 25-yard line. Claunch took advantage of some fine blocking to cash in a 75-yard coffin nail, making it a 28-14 game with 7:02 left to play. Wray was unable to answer back and the Falcons would claim their first win of the year.

The Falcons will be home again this Friday night against Colorado Springs Christian. The Lions will bring an 0-1 record with them after taking a 42-21 thrashing courtesy of Aspen which is ranked 15th in 2A Football by MaxPreps. Game time is 7 p.m.