The first quarter started off slow as both teams struggled in their first possessions of the ball.

That momentum started with Fairfax’s second drive. Despite starting the drive with a penalty, the Stampede scored after four plays with a 22-yard touchdown by Wide Receiver Marvin Hooks. With an unsuccessful two-point conversion, the Stampede take the first lead of the game 6-0 with 4:05 left in the 1st Quarter.

Less than two minutes and three plays later, Falcons Running Back Andrian Nerini ran in a 24-yard touchdown. With this and the extra point, the Carl Hayden Community Falcons took the lead 7-6 with 2:14 left in the 1st Quarter.

With 51 seconds left in the 1st Quarter the Fairfax score again with a 15-yard pass to Receiver James Mackey. This time the two-point conversion was good which gave the Stamped a 14-7 lead over the Falcons.

The Stampede kept the momentum going after getting the ball back by scoring a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown, giving them a 20-7 lead over the Falcons with 11:41 left to go in the half.

With 9:56 in the 2nd Quarter to go, Quarterback Damon Valdez completes a 36-yard pass to Receiver James Mackey. The 2-point conversion failed again, but the Stampede would increase their lead 26-7.

After an unsuccessful drive, the Falcons punt the ball. However, a personal foul was given to the Stampede which gave the Falcons an automatic first down. Kevin Yarbough ran for 51 yards putting the Falcons on the 4-yard line. Then Quarterback Bryce Charles runs it in for a Falcons touchdown with 6:25 left in the half. With the extra point good, the Stampede leads the Falcons 26-14.

The second half ended with Fairfax scoring one more time. Valdez completes a ten-yard touchdown pass to Tight End Quincy Mingo. Another two-point conversion failed, but the Stampede increases their lead 32-14.

The second half started with a Fairfax drive. The Stampede score again as Wide Receiver Marvin Hooks gets a touchdown giving the Falcons a 38-14 lead. The two-point conversion was good, but with a Fairfax false start and a replay of the 2-point conversion, the second attempt was no good.

The next drive was the longest of the game. The Falcons had over 7-minutes of play, gaining 43 running yards by running backs, Kevin Yarbough, Elijah DeLeon, and Francisco Cruz, and 8 passing yards to Tight End Jorge Navarette. Yarbough finally broke through with a 20-yard running touchdown. With the extra point good, the Falcons tighten the lead 38-21 with 1:56 left in the 3rd Quarter.

Speaking of the 7-minute drive, Falcons Head Coach Steven Arenas said, “We’re going to pound the ball, move the ball and were going to control the clock. I think we executed on that.”

Moving on, Wide Receiver James Mackey gets a 61-yard kickoff return for Fairfax that sets up an 18-yard pass for Wide Receiver Adeajion Murden. Receiver Marvin Hooks gets in the end zone with a 2-yard touchdown with 35 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. The two-point conversion was no good but the Stampede leads 44-21.

The 4th Quarter had some heated battles with penalties going to both teams. The Falcons struggled to score but it wasn’t without good effort. Falcons Freshman Head Coach Paul Wiser said, “ I think we came out and performed, but I think one thing that really hurt us was our special teams. We didn’t make sure to execute.”

The Stampede, however, got into the endzone once again when Receiver Marvin Hooks scores a 34-yard touchdown with 9:32 left in the 4th Quarter. Giving Fairfax a 52-21 lead which would give them the win.

When asked about the disappointing loss, Sara Matthews, Athletic Director for Carl Hayden Sara Community, said “There was a bunch of emotion that was going on. We have to continue to stay in it and play the game we know how to play.”

The Carl Hayden Community Falcons next game is on October 18th against Central High School at 7pm.