AYF Falcons shut out Raiders

MEXICO -- The AYF Falcons (3-0), led by their hard hitting defense recorded their second shutout of the season with a 13-0 win over the visiting Raiders from Jay on Oct. 2 at the Mountain Valley Middle School.

From their 48 on their first offensive series, the Raiders started by losing eight yards as nose guard Jack "attack" Lavorgna broke into the Raiders backfield and made a textbook tackle. Alex Gorham came crashing in from his defensive end spot to record another tackle for another eight-yard loss. After a muffed punt, the Falcons had great field position at the Raider 30.

The Falcons began an eight-play scoring drive consuming almost four minutes. Kyle Kenney lugged the ball four times for 20 yards, putting ball at the four, where Will Sorensen punched it into the end zone. Gorham kicked the PAT for a 7-0 lead with 2:03 left in the first frame.

The Falcon defense, led by Will Bean, Jasper Turner and Zeb Houghton, kept applying pressure, setting up a 4th and 7 with just under four minutes in the half. Gorham broke loose and sacked the quarterback to give the Falcons outstanding field position at the Raider 30.

The Falcons drove inside 10 as Keegan Davis ran for 11 yards and Kenney ran the ball to the seven. However, an incompletion on fourth down gave the ball back to the Raiders with just 36 seconds left in the half.

In the third quarter, the Falcon put together a six-play, 52-yard scoring drive as Sorensen went 32 yards to the Raider 20 and Davis caught a quick pass from QB Cam Godbois for 10 yards. Followed by a 14-yard rush from Kenney to the one. Godbois hit pay dirt two plays later behind a huge line surge from linemen Nick McInnis, Zach Blodgett, Lavorgna and Gorham for a 13-0 lead.

Neither team scored in the final quarter. The Falcons showed some fundamental defense as Averie Pingree, Bryce Wilson, Josh Thibodeau and Shannon Morton, forcing a turnover on downs late game.

Submitted by AYF Falcons coach Mark Richard.