Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Magdalena renders Falcons flightless

Steers offense near-perfect in passing game against fledgling Foothill team

By Nat Holland El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

From the first drive with the first string players to the closing minutes with younger players, the Magdalena Steers showed no doubt about who was in control in Friday's football game against the Foothill Falcons.

The Steers prevented the Falcon offense from ever getting into flight in the 58-0 homecoming win.

"I think our passing game has improved over the last few weeks," Magdalena coach Marvin Martin said. "And we were able to get some different guys in and try a few things."

Quarterback Brandon Harding finished 7-for-8 in passing for 132 yards and Daniel Hand completed three passes on five attempts for another 36 yards.

"I'm proud of the boys for being able to concentrate through homecoming," Martin said.

Errors by the Falcons made the game that much easier to win. The Foothill center seemed to have difficulty snapping the ball, which resulted in a half-dozen fumbles, several of which were recovered by the Steers including one that ended the Falcon's first drive. Tyrel Montoya made two interceptions to end Foothill's second and third drives.

Meanwhile the Steers had no trouble scoring. Running back Briar Billa hit the end zone first on a short 2-yard run five minutes into the game. Harding scored on a run and made touchdown passes to Billa, Hand, Montoya and Reggie Peralta.

Bryce Milligan scored on a pass from Hand. Kicker Soiky Sosa scored a field goal and successfully kicked an extra point after all but one touchdown.

The Falcons had their first real opportunity to score after recovering a fumble at the Magdalena 23-yard line at the start of the third quarter. After three incomplete passes, including one knocked down by Montoya to a receiver in the end zone, Foothill failed at a field goal attempt.

The Falcons looked to score on a 70-yard run in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, but one of their players made an illegal, and completely unnecessary block in the back long after the runner was clear.

"If they don't call that I want the first defense back in there to teach them some manners," Martin said in anger at the play.

The officials did call the foul and the touchdown was overturned, but Magdalena's first-team defense still went back in on the following play and sent the Falcons back for a 12-yard loss.

Putting his starters back in might put them at risk of another injury if the other team is going to play illegal and rough, "But you really run the risk of getting one of those little kids hurt," said Martin explaining his reasoning.

The Steers have revised most of their schedule now that they have working lights for their football field to play games at night instead of during the day on Fridays and Saturdays. Magdalena hosts Floyd this Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m.

nholland@dchieftain.com

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