Fallon Holds Off Two Manogue Rallies to Win Season Opener

Fallon showed again it can win close games against good opponents, holding off two Bishop Manogue comebacks to win its season opener over the Miners, 32-30 last Friday.

The Greenwave won three playoff games that were up for grabs in the fourth quarter on their way to the 3A State championship game last season, and Friday’s opener fit a similar pattern as Fallon protected leads of 26-10 and 32-23 before closing out the win.

“They just know how to handle adversity,” coach Calvin Connors said. “They understand that football is a great example of life, and you're going go through ups and downs, but it's about how you respond, and we always believe we’re one play away.”

Connors believes big plays often create other big plays, and the Greenwave proved him right time and again on Friday.

After taking a 6-0 lead less than a minute into the second quarter, Maxton Richardson intercepted a pass by Bishop Manogue quarterback Parker Scholl and returned it to the Miners’ 47-yard line On the next play, Camden Richardson and Drake Rowlett connected for a 47-yard touchdown pass to put Fallon up 13-3.

The Greenwave capitalized on another Manogue turnover with a 60-yard touchdown run by Alijah Juarez to make it 19-3.

Fallon led 26-10 at the half before the Miners scored twice to cut it to 26-23, but Camden Richardson’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Maxton Richardson extended the margin back to 32-23 with 4:16 left in the game.

Scholl’s 50-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Lyles drew the Miners within 32-30 and the Miners got the ball back with one last chance, but Angel Quezada made a diving interception of a tipped pass with 1:42 left to seal the win.

Camden Richardson completed 12 of 16 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns. Maxton Richardson’s two receptions were both touchdowns. Calin Anderson caught eight passes for 163 yards and a touchdown, and Rowlett caught two passes for 54 yards and one score. Juarez led the rushing attack with 114 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

The Greenwave defense made 11 tackles for loss, including three each by Maxton Richardson and Juarez, and sacked Scholl three times and intercepted him twice.

“Offense and defense have to complement each other,” Connors said. “We take pride in being able to play team football and tonight was a great example of that.”

The win also reinforced what Connors said is the team’s identity in being from a small rural town.

“That’s who we are,” he said. “We know we represent a strong community and people who work hard and we want to exemplify that with our play.”

This week the Greenwave play at Reed, Friday at 7 p.m., and don’t have much time to celebrate what they accomplished last week, because a similar challenge is on deck this week.

“Hundred percent,” he said. “I'm excited for next week. That'll be a fun game.”