Warriors frosh football dominate early season games

It's not often that a freshman football team can inspire excitement in a community, but that's what the Fallbrook High Freshman Football Team has done in racing out to a 5-0 record this year.

Even more impressive - they've given up only one touchdown this season - the lone score coming last Thursday against Escondido High.

While excitement might be a strong word, at the very least, they are giving the community hope that the Fallbrook football program might be headed for an upswing.

"This team is filled with a collection of kids from Fallbrook who played Pop Warner together and then a mix of some kids who lived on base as well as some recent additions to the community," said Ryan Farish, head coach of the freshman team and varsity receivers coach. "All the kids have worked well together and have accepted their role on the team. Many have been willing to accept new positions and contribute to the greater good of the team. We are deep with one or two kids at most spots who are capable of starting in that spot, or another spot if needed."

Farish said before the Cougars scored on them, the team had a goal of keeping the shutout streak alive.

"We have had certain spots where some depth players were in and as soon as the opposition got close, we put the starters back in," he said.

The Warriors started the season fast, thrashing Del Norte 46-0 in the opener for both teams, came back the next week and blanked Sweetwater 36-0, and followed that the next week with hanging 40 points on Scripps Ranch while shutting them out.

Only Castle Park has held the Warriors below 30 points, losing to the Fallbrook frosh 28-0. The Warriors scored 34 against Escondido while giving up the one score to win the game easily 34-7.

The Warriors varsity team, led by recently hired head coach Troy Everhart, are in the midst of a rebuilding year, or better yet, a program establishing year. With very few seniors on the team and just about as many juniors, the varsity team has struggled so far with a 0-5 record.

There are four freshmen who play on the varsity team, as well as several sophomores. The Warriors did not field a Junior Varsity team this year.

What Everhart and the rest of the coaching staff are attempting to establish this season is a baseline standard for the program from which to build in future seasons.

The varsity dropped a 34-10 decision to Escondido last Friday night.

With the frosh team playing so well, there just may be hope for the future of Fallbrook Football.

"I feel this team is capable of establishing a culture of winning around this town," Farish said. "These kids will play these schools again in their high school careers. Those teams will remember these games and the difficulty they faced. Our teams will build on each experience and their confidence will grow. Establishing a winning culture is very important to continued success."

Farish resisted picking out names of players who have so far stood out on the field.

"Our defense has been flying to the ball and making big plays," he said. "Our offense can move the ball and put points on the board.

"I have a saying that I keep telling these players, 'It's not all about you, but it is all up to you.' What I mean by that is that we are not out here trying to have the best individual stats, but it is all up to each one of us how much effort we put forth into each practice and each game. I need their best effort."

He said with the coaching staff working with both the frosh and the varsity team, they are feeling good about what's happening on the field.

"We are all excited about what we are building here," Farish said. "Competition on this team will be fierce in years to come."

The Warriors will travel to Serra High School on Thursday, Sept. 26 for its next game.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].