The Falcons’ 28-26 win over nonconference Madison, the team’s first season-opening win since 2002, set the tone for the varsity team’s season.
“It was a good game.With the reality of senior year, I knew I had to step up and be a leader,” senior Cody Jackson said. “We wanted to make history and we did just that.”
Junior Tanner Bullock contributed to the win with seven solo tackles and a fumble recovery. Jackson also led the team with two touchdowns, nine carries and 151 total rushing yards.
In the third week of the season, the team defeated previously unbeaten North Buncombe, 35-28. It was a team effort to pull out a win with touchdowns from seniors Dustie Fender, Brendon Goings, and Taylor Geyer and junior Tristan Thomas. Junior Stephen Perron and Fender each had an interception.
“We’re a lot better team than last year. A lot of people have stepped up and everyone has grown up a little bit,” Goings said. “We still make a lot of mistakes, but we have all come together more than last season.”
The team is currently 2-2 with losses to Hendersonville and Mountain Heritage. Conference play will begin Friday night agains North Henderson at home.
“Our goal is to win more games than we lose. We definitely want to make playoffs, because we haven’t made playoffs in three years,” Fender said.
“If we can do that I feel like we will accomplish something we should’ve done a long time ago.”
Jackson, Fender, senior William Crouch and senior Brian Albea were featured as IWANNA’s “Best of the West” prior to this football season. Crouch was named a Times-News player of the week for his passing game of 215 yards and three touchdowns in the first half against North Buncombe. He went six for six and led the team to a 35-0 lead at the half.
“I was not expecting to have the type of game that would earn player of the week. It was by far the best performance I’ve ever had in a game and it felt great. Our whole offense was clicking and the blocking from our line made it possible for the receivers and me to make plays,” Crouch said. “We moved the ball like we’re capable of doing and we’re hoping to carry that into the next few games.”
The new varsity players are bringing much needed enthusiasm to the season. With only one loss from the previous season, these new juniors are confident about their playing abilities.
“Playing JV and playing varsity are really different from each other, but it’s a lot of fun. So far this year has been great and we’ve really come together as a team,” junior Caleb Grubbs said. “I’m really excited to see what this season has to hold. We’re definitely capable of great things.”
