Heading into the second half of the high school football season, the Carl Hayden Community Falcons got their first win of the season over the Sierra Linda Bulldogs, 34-14 on Friday.

The 0-5 Bulldogs were first on the scoreboard, with a touchdown pass and a two-point conversion at the 7:57 mark of the first quarter. 

The Falcons fought back and pushed down the field. Then, they scored a rushing touchdown with 4:32 left in the first quarter. However, the Falcons received a false start penalty on the extra point. With the extra yards added for the penalty, the Falcons decided to go for a two-point conversion. Their swing toss pass failed as they were tackled two yards from the snap.

At the end of the first quarter, the Bulldogs kept their lead over the Carl Hayden Falcons, 8-6. 

The second quarter kept fans on their feet. The Falcons came out fighting, scored a passing touchdown and made a rushing two-point conversion with 9:50 left on the clock, all to give them their first lead of the game, 14-8. 

They tried to increase their lead from there, but with 5:10 left in the half, the Falcons fumbled the ball, and the Bulldogs recovered it in the Falcons’ red zone. However, the Falcons then got the ball back when the Bulldogs had a fumble of their own. The first half ended with the score still at 14-8, and the Falcons looking confident. 

The Sierra Linda Bulldogs kicked off to the Falcons to start the third quarter.

Falcons junior quarterback Kevin Yarbough rushed in a touchdown, and the Falcons made the extra point, giving them a 21-8 lead with 8:34 left in the third quarter. 

Adding to their lead, Falcons senior running back Adrian Nerini took the ball up the right side of the field and into end zone for another touchdown. With a successful extra point, the Falcons led the Bulldogs 28-8 with 1:55 in the third quarter. 
 
Yarbough said, “We need to follow the game plan," and that’s exactly what the Falcons did, as they kept the Bulldogs scoreless for two quarters.  

The fourth quarter began, and the Falcons got the ball to Adrian Nerini, who scored another rushing touchdown. The Falcons failed to get the two-point conversion, but still led the Bulldogs 34-8. 

Determined to come back, the Bulldogs completed a pass to freshman wide receiver Traven Vigenser, who got the touchdown with 3:46 left in the fourth quarter.  The Bulldogs failed the two-point conversion. 

The game ended, giving Carl Hayden the win over Sierra Linda, 34-14. 

Schiavone Davis, the Falcons offensive coordinator, said, “We’ve been close all year, we knew we could do it”. 

The Falcons head coach Steve Arenas was thrilled with the win, adding, “I’m so proud of our team's ability to get through adversity and injuries. Tonight, we have a new identity.” 

Carl Hayden Community will face Fairfax on their home field next Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.