Saratoga News

Sports

Firebirds fly past Falcons for frosh-soph win

By Kevin Sparrer

Though the falcon is a powerful bird of prey, it seems it met its match last Friday evening when the Fremont Firebirds flew to a 14-7 win over Saratoga's Falcons in frosh-soph football action.

Fremont jumped out to an early lead, scoring a touchdown in the first quarter and then another in the second, before Saratoga's Timothy Yen was able to bring one home for the Falcons.

"We played a very strong Fremont team, who had a number of very talented athletes," said Saratoga coach Shelley Smith. "We would have had to play an error-free game to be successful, and we didn't."

Yen did the majority of the running for Saratoga. Yen touched the ball 11 times for 57 yards and the only touchdown in the game for the Falcons.

Casey Farmer also moved the ball well for Saratoga. Farmer took the ball in hand 10 times for 38 yards. Gibran Meza carried four times for 33 yards.

Michael Guercio was taking the snaps for the Falcons and was able to hit on 7 of 14 passes for 79 yards. Meza caught three passes for 37 yards, Michael Beam caught two for 33 and Alex Wokas and Farmer caught a pass apiece.

Farmer also kicked the only extra point in the game for Saratoga.

"Our defense played well and really only gave up one big play," said Smith.

Defensively it was Yen again who led Saratoga, getting in on seven tackles. Raymond Boales, Beam, Jens Karren, Meza and Jasper Loren were other defensive leaders. Loren also forced a fumble that Scott Thoren picked up for the Falcons.

Guercio also had the only interception for Saratoga of the day.

The only effective offensive drive Saratoga was able to put together came in the third quarter with 8:12 left to go.

Guercio had just picked off a pass, giving Saratoga the ball on the Fremont 42-yard line. Guercio attempted a pass that didn't find a receiver and then Meza took the ball in hand twice--the first time for eight yards and then for four, which was enough for the first down.

With the ball on the Fremont 30, Yen ran for 12 yards and then another for 18 and the touchdown. The score came with 4:25 left in the quarter. Farmer's extra point cut the lead to 14-7, but that was as close as Saratoga could get.

Saratoga did make it exciting, though. After taking over on downs at their own 20-yard line, the Falcons moved the ball to the Fremont 30 before time ran out.

The Falcons will now visit Los Altos on Oct. 7, 11 a.m.