Punt-less Falkville defeats Priceville at home 48-28
By Lauren Estes-Velez
FALKVILLE- The Blue Devils hosted Morgan County rival Priceville at Burl Vest Stadium on Friday night and the FHS offense got the job done putting 48 points on 4A class, Priceville.
Everytime the Falkville offense touched the ball, they produced a scoring drive. This was also the first game of the season for the Blue Devils where they were not forced to punt.
Aaron Dove finished 15/19 passing for five touchdowns and 264 yards through the air.
The first score of the game came in with just under two minutes into the opening quarter. Following a four play drive, quarterback Aaron Dove connected with senior Noah Holmes on a 47-yard reception for a touchdown. Marcus Klocek’s extra point was true and FHS had their first lead of the ball game, 7-0.
Another four play drive three punts later after forcing Priceville to a three-and-out fave FHS their next touchdown scoring play. A broken play was quickly spit-shined as Dove had nowhere to go, called his number and ran 48-yards for the end zone and the second touchdown of the night. Klocek hit the second extra point attempt.
Falkville’s defense continued to be proactive, but the Bulldog’s consistency on the ground set up a methodical scoring drive. A seven-play, 60-yard drive ended with a 16-yard Priceville touchdown off the back of Mike Matthews. The extra point was added byJohn Calixto.
Falkville quickly responded with a kickoff return for a touchdown from Christian Angulo, but poor decision making from the Falkville special teams brought the ball back to the 12-yard-line. Dove found Holmes in the left corner of the endzone and quickly repented with a touchdown for 12 yards. Klocek’s third PAT attempt was no good.
Falkville lead 20-7 at the end of the first quarter.
A turnover on downs gave the Blue Devils the ball on their own 30-yard-line. Eight plays and 70 yards later, Falkville had another score in the books. At the 10:30 mark of the second quarter, Dove connected with Christian Angulo for a three-yard pass play and another six points. Klocek added the extra point and Falkville led 27-7.
The Priceville offense didn’t let up and fought back on the ground off the strength of running backs Jerry Burton and Matthews.
It was, however, quarterback Brock Payne who called his own number and ran the ball 70 yards for the next Bulldog score. John Calixto’s extra point was true, and the Bulldogs pulled it back to a two score game.
Each team would go on to score one more time in the next seven minutes of the second quarter.
A second touchdown for the Blue Devils was brought back (pass from Dove to Mikell Philyaw) for a penalty in the back field (personal foul.)
After multiple passes by Dove, he was able to find Philyaw again in the endzone for a 16-yard touchdown pass. Klocek added another extra point at the 6:18 mark of the second quarter.
With one second to play in the opening half following a16-play drive by the Bulldogs,Payne connected with Ethan White on a four-yard pass for a touchdown. Calixto added the extra point and the Blue devils led at halftime 34-21.
To start the third quarter, Priceville was the first to get on the board. Their opening drive was 12-plays and 59 yards, ending with a four-yard carry for a touchdown by Burton. Calixto added the PAT.
The response was a loud one- Falkville created their own seven-play, 65 yard drive that ended with a three-yard pass to tight end Austin Smith and a touchdown. Klocek added the PAT to extend the lead 41-28.
After the end of the third quarter and a long drive into the fourth quarter by the Bulldogs, a drive was shutdown by an interception pulled away by FHS secondary player James Garner.
FHS made time for one more successful drive and put together eight plays and moved the ball 69 yards down the field for a touchdown. It was a reverse sweep play from Dove to Fred Walls to Mikell Philyaw for the five-yard score. The PAT was true by Klocek and Falkville went on to win 48-28 sending their record 6-0 and Priceville’s 0-5.
Christian Angulo led in receptions with six catches for 99 yards and one touchdown. Noah Holmes had two for 60 yards and two touchdowns, and Mikell Philyaw had five grabs for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Fred Walls led in carries with 95 yards on eight attempts, while Aaron Dove had seven for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Luke Fitzgerald led in tackles with 15 while Carlos Esquivel had 14 tackles and one for a loss.
Falkville will host Coosa Christian on Friday at 7 p.m.
