| Richard Hollingsworth: http://nikonrick.smugmug.com/

Lauren Estes
Special to the Enquirer

Falkville grabbed win No. 2 with a 34-14 victory against Shades Mountain Christian during its home opener Friday night at Burl Vest Stadium.

“We stopped what we wanted to stop. We knew they were big up front. We knew they wanted to run the ball. Defensively, we shut down their run. We made them do what they were not comfortable doing,” said head Coach Joel Schrenk.

“Overall, we ended up doing exactly what we wanted to do. Of course, we didn’t want to give up that late score, but we did. Offensively, in the first half, our O-line dominated.”

Falkville (2-0, 2-0 in region) was first to go on the board after a nine-play drive with 3:04 on the clock in the first quarter. Hunter Woodall had a three-yard carry in for a touchdown. Damon Hester followed with the extra point.

Aaron Estes blocked the Eagles’ punt less than two minutes later, putting Falkville on the 23-yard-line. Cade Wilemon managed 18-yards on a reverse, setting up Woodall’s easy score from five yards out. Hester’s extra point increased the lead to 14-0.

Falkville’s Lucas Johnson picked off an Eagle pass, making way for another score. On a five-play drive, quarterback Estes completed a pass to Woodall for a 35 yard gain, putting the Blue Devils on the Eagle’s seven-yard-Line and set up Estes’ touchdown on a quarterback keeper with 5:47 to play in the second quarter. Estes finished 9-for-18 for 123 yards.

The Falkville offense remained dominant on the field. Estes found Wilemon on an 18-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds to play in the second quarter. The extra point failed, moving the score 27-0 at the half.

“Our first drive coming out of the second half was awesome, we scored in three plays, then I think on offense we got a little satisfied and starting substituting a little bit so our chemistry changed, but those young kids have to be able to come in and play in that situation as well; defensively, they were on the field the whole second half,” said Schrenk. “I’ve got to do a better job of play-calling and running time off the clock in the second half when we have a lead so the defense can get some rest; that was on me.”

Wilemon gathered great field position on a 28-yard kickoff return at the start of the second half. Three plays later, Estes found himself in the end zone on a 29-yard run, and Damon Hester sealed the extra point bringing the score 34-0 with 11:19 to play in the third quarter.

Shades Mountain Christian (0-2, 0-2) continued to fight, responding with a score of their own with 8:03 to play in the third quarter. Mikey Rogers scored a four-yard quarterback keeper and Dustin Clements added the extra point putting Shades Mountain on board 34-7.

The Eagles would score again late in the fourth quarter, also by Rogers on a six-yard quarterback keeper with 5:50 to play, making the final 34-14.

Falkville will travel to region opponent Appalachian next Friday.