Last second touchdown lifts Falcon midgets to 19-16 win

Evan Branch (center, with ball) follows blockers on a 24-yard dash to the 1 yard line to set up the Falcons’ game-winning touchdown.

New Kent Falcons’ varsity midget team (age 11-12) defeated the previously unbeaten East End Tigers 19-16 in a thrilling come from behind football victory last Saturday at Falcon Field.

The game started as a defensive struggle as both teams’ high-powered offenses failed to put the ball in the end zone in the first half. After stopping the Tigers on their first possession of the second half, the Falcons mounted a drive finished off by Zach Morris’ 4-yard TD run with 3:22 left in the third quarter. After the conversion the Falcons led 7-0.

On their next play from scrimage, the Tigers struck back with a 55-yard touchdown run from Tim Jones and after the 2-point conversion led 8-7. The Falcons then marched down the field led by quarterback C.J. Reeders. After a 35-yard scamper down to the 1 yard line by Dominique Akrie-Williams, Morris punched it in and the Falcons led 13-8 with 5:45 left in the game.

East End wasn’t done as they took the kickoff and marched back down the field capped by a 22-yard TD run from Jones to lead 16-13 after the 2-point conversion.

The Falcons started on their own 26 with two minutes to go, and after a 7-yard run from Reeders, Evan Branch ran around the right end for 27 yards down to the Tiger 40. The Falcons in their hurry-up offense pounded the ball to the Tiger 25 before Branch ran left to the 1 yard line with 10 seconds left. The Falcons used their last time out to set up Branch’s run through the middle for the deciding points.

The Falcons travel to Highland Springs to play the Saints this Saturday.