Sterling, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons scored 34 unanswered points to turn a four-point game into a 55-17 rout tonight (Sept. 30) at the Sterling College Warriors. The Falcons now head into the bye week at 5-1, their most wins since 2016 and their first 5-1 start since 2013.
Following a 29-yard field goal by Luis Franco that pulled the Warriors within 21-17 on the first play of the fourth quarter, the Falcons opened the floodgates and then some.
The Falcons quickly went to work on their next drive with a 16-yard run by Elias Pino, a 22-yard scamper by K'Vonte Baker and then a 17-yard scoring dash from Pino that pushed the lead up to 28-17 just over a minute later.
It was the defense that then made a stand, with Sy Aponte intercepting a pass and returning it 27 yards to the Sterling 23 yard line.
Friends wasted no time in taking advantage, as Pino rushed for 14 yards following the turnover and Baker ran for seven and then two yards to score and make it 35-17 with still 11:19 on the clock in the fourth quarter.
The Falcon defense continued to flex their muscle and forced the Warriors to a turnover on downs at the Friends 22.
The running game continued to flourish and got an 18-yard run by Zach Dressler to start the drive and then a 31-yard bust from Pino before Baker got free for a 22-yard score to find the end zone for the third time and push the lead to 41-17.
Braden Gordon then kept up the onslaught with an interception that he returned 30 yards to paydirt to balloon the Falcon lead up to 31 points.
On the Falcons' next possession, Jett Cheatham raced 66 yards to the end zone to put a big exclamation point on the Falcons fourth quarter outburst.
"It's always good to get a win on the road," said Friends head coach Terry Harrison. "Our kids did a great job of finishing tonight. I am excited to get to work on the bye week!"
The game started ominously for the Falcons, with Trey Dixon taking the opening kickoff 96 yards to quickly put Sterling in front.
Per their calling card, the Falcons methodically grinded away and went 58 yards on eight plays, capped by an 11-yard scoring run by Kaden Rigsby to tie the score at 7-7.
After an exchange of punts, the Falcon defense rose to the occasion when Nolan Ewing and Peyton Douglas teamed up to halt the Warriors on fourth and three.
Cheatham then ran for 22 yards that got the Falcons going on the ensuing possession and Baker paid it off with a 25-yard score to give the Falcons a lead they wouldn't relinquish the rest of the night.
The Falcons then made it 21-7 before the end of the half when Dressler (21 yards) and Rigsby (22 yards) set the stage for an 11-yard score from Pino on fourth and three with 3:33 remaining in the second quarter.
Baker, the current KCAC Offensive Player of the Week, had another big night with a career-high 138 rushing yards and three more touchdowns. The Wichita Heights product had plenty of help, with Cheatham also setting a new career mark with 132 rushing yards and one score. Pino added 110 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, with Dressler running for 83 yards on 10 carries for Friends.
Claude Slaughter III had the Falcons' lone reception on the night for eight yards.
As a team, the Falcons collected 534 rushing yards, their most in a single game since the 2016 season.
Rocklin Baptista passed for 96 yards and two interceptions, while ElyJay Curry had 94 rushing yards and two touchdowns for the Warriors. Cameron Williams had two catches for 58 yards for Sterling.
Nolan Ewing led the Falcon defense with a season-high 13 tackles, with Andrew Arnold amassing a career-high seven stops, including three for loss.
Hunter Pullen and Diego Moran each made a team-high 11 tackles for the Warriors (1-5), with Pullen recording two tackles for loss.
Following the bye week, the Falcons will open up the first year of KCAC Kessinger Divisional play at home on Oct. 14 for a 1 pm showdown vs. No. 8-ranked Southwestern College.
Don't miss the Falcons in Divisional play, purchase tickets NOW!!!
