The Falcon football team traveled to North Valley High School for their first playoff game in 10 years.
The Falcons put up a tough fight, keeping the score close all game. North Valley pulled through at the end and won the game 26-21.
Senior quarterback Quinton Buckland finished the night with 173 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. Junior receiver Kyler Colwell had 100 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Junior tight end Keelan Hecker had 125 total yards, one receiving touchdown, and one rushing touchdown.
Buckland is disappointed with how the game ended.
“We could’ve played so much better,” Buckland told Falcon News. “I don’t know how the game was even that close. We could’ve beat them.”
Colwell felt like he could’ve done more.
“We should’ve done so much better, it shouldn’t have ended like that,” Colwell said. “We all wanted to win that game, and when we lost I didn’t really know what to do.”
The Falcons had a great season this year, finishing with a 7-2 regular season record.
Coach Bo Highburger was proud of how the Falcons did this season.
“I enjoy coaching them because I have been able to see them grow from their sophomore year to one of the top teams in the state,” Highburger said. “This was due in large part to their dedication to becoming better as a team, and watching them learn what it takes to become a competitive and positive team.”
There were 13 Falcons who won all-league honors.
Offensive awards:
- Buckland was first team quarterback
- Colwell was first team wide receiver
- Hecker was first team tight end/flex
- Senior Brett Highburger was first team offensive linemen
- Senior Quinton Marshall was second team offensive linemen
- Senior Jonathan Rhodes was second team center
- Hecker was second team punter
- Junior Lennart Kad was second team kicker
On defense:
- Highburger was first team defensive linemen
- Marshall was second team defensive linemen
- Senior Gage Cooper was honorable mention defensive linemen
- Hecker was second team linebacker
- Sophomore Kyron Smith was second team linebacker
- Buckland was first team defensive back
Player of the year awards:
- Buckland was offensive player of the year
- Highburger was linemen of the year
