WEYBURN – The Weyburn U14 Young Fellows Falcons wrapped up their season at the same place it started, in Moose Jaw playing the Vikings. The first game of the season was the Falcons only loss, but Friday night’s results were different. The Falcons won the league championship with a dominating 52-20 win.
All season long the Falcons has a strong defence that was led by players including Lincoln Lillejord, Lincoln Marshall, Malley Sterling, Corbin Dyck, Grady LaRocque, Cayson Moule, Cole Payak (who had an interception to set up the Falcon’s first TD Friday), and Anika Marshall (who was named defensive MVP of the game).
This defence came up with several big stops when needed and shut down the Vikings high-powered offence. The team offence has had some struggles to move the ball early in the season.
They found their groove at the right time putting up 100 points in two playoff games. Four inches of snow on the field Friday night made for tough conditions, but the Falcons had practiced outside all week so were ready for the weather.
The Falcons were led by quarterback Hudson Maloney, who ran for 366 yards and eight touchdowns. Weston Whitford averaged six yards per carry up the middle, and Matthew Nimegeers also averaged six yards per carry.
This rushing attack was only possible because of the superior blocking of the offensive line which included Patrick Johnson, Jesse Travis, Davin Renwick, Quinton Stinson, Daxon Doud, and Coltan Waldner and a stellar receiving core in Maddox Mohan, Treshaun Ernst, and Cale Harris. At the end of the first quarter, the score was 6-0 for the Falcons.
Early in the second, the Vikings scored a TD to go ahead 8-6, but this was the last time they would lead. The Falcons quickly scored again, bringing the score to 12-8. The turning point of the game was a TD late in the second quarter.
Coach Darren Johnson said, “Faced with a second and short, I called a timeout and went to the huddle to call a play just to get the first down. Hudson said ‘Give me the ball and I will score’. The rest of the offence agreed, stating, ‘we will make sure he does’.”
That score was capped with a two-point convert on a fake field goal set up by holder Ranson Jordens giving the Falcons a 20-8 lead going into halftime. The Falcons padded their lead going to 32-8 before the Vikings would score again.
Coach Johnson added, “This team has worked so hard all year. They were counted out by many at the start. It was been an honour and privilege to work with them. I am so proud of what they have accomplished.”
Hudson Maloney was also named the co-offensive MVP of the league and sole offensive MVP of the game.
