Warrior gridders beat Cougars 24-21 in first win of season

Fallbrook High School’s football team won its first game of the 2012 season Oct. 26, defeating Escondido by a 24-21 score in Fallbrook.

“I’m very pleased. Our players have been working very hard for a long time,” said Fallbrook head coach Joe Silvey.

The Warriors opened the scoring in the first quarter on a touchdown run by Tyrone Dixon and a successful conversion kick by Markus Lewis. Fallbrook took a 14-0 lead in the second period when Boston Menossi ran into the end zone for a touchdown and Lewis kicked the extra point.

The next score was an Escondido touchdown in the third quarter which was followed by a conversion kick between the uprights to make the score 14-7. Although Escondido forced Fallbrook to punt later in the period, Keegan LeBanz downed Lewis’ punt inside Escondido’s one-yard-line. On the next play Seth Fendt tackled the Cougar quarterback in the end zone for a safety and a 16-7 Fallbrook lead.

Two Cougar touchdowns gave Escondido a 21-16 lead midway in the fourth quarter. On Fallbrook’s second possession after the Cougars’ go-ahead touchdown, the Warriors had third down just outside Escondido’s 10-yard-line with less then three minutes remaining in the game. Quarterback Micah Marroquin completed a pass to tight end Austin Wolff in the back of the end zone. The Warriors went for the two-point conversion, and Marroquin once again connected with Wolff in the end zone.

Escondido’s ensuing possession lasted until LeBanz forced a fumble which was recovered by Wolff, who is a linebacker when the Warriors are on defense. Fallbrook drove the ball toward the Escondido goal line until the Warriors were able to run out the clock.

“It was, I think, an exciting game to watch. It was pretty hard-fought on the field and certainly could have gone either way,” Silvey said.

The game was also Senior Night for the Warriors. “It was nice for the seniors to go out that way,” Silvey said.

The win broke Fallbrook’s 15-game losing streak; the Warriors had last won on Sept. 23, 2011. Fallbrook’s 2012 record improved to 1-8, including 1-3 in Avocado East League play. “Happy to get the win. Hoping to get another win this weekend,” Silvey said.

The Warriors close out the regular season tomorrow at Rancho Buena Vista. Last year Fallbrook defeated the Longhorns by a 34-14 score for the Warriors’ only win of 2011.