After easily disposing of Kayenta Monument Valley 36-0 Friday night, Fountain Hills (9-2) was jumping at the idea of a rematch against its Week 1 opponent, Lakeside Blue Ridge, who beat the Falcons 19-0.
“We came into the first game intimidated and walked away knowing we could take them,” senior Mark Bolstadt said. “Our offense is better, our defense is better, we’re fired up for possibly getting the chance to play them again.”
Bolstadt and the Falcons’ defense put on a clinic in front of 1,492 in attendance at Fountain Hills for the first round of the 3A state playoffs. The Falcons notched their third shutout of the season and held the Mustangs to a miniscule 19 yards on 22 carries.
After racing out to a 16-0 edge, the Falcons flexed their defensive muscle in the second quarter. In addition to Bolstadt recording two of his three sacks, the Falcons didn’t allow a positive gain the entire period, forcing Monument Valley (5-6) backward for minus-12 yards.
Though the numbers show that the Falcons relied on the run primarily, carrying the ball 48 times for 253 yards, senior quarterback Alex Groh made his completions count, three of eight went for touchdowns.
With impressive performances on both sides of the ball the Falcons are optimistic about a deep run into the playoffs.
“Out defense should take us a ways,” Falcon coach Jim Fairfield said. “But our offense is starting to click in the air and our running game has always been there.
“It’s starting to come together on all three levels so it should be fun.”
