CLOVER – The Nation Ford Falcons were finally able to put it all together and convincing fashion. If you get their first win of the season over the Lake Wylie Chargers.
Nation Ford won 42-24 over Lake Wylie to improve to 1-6 overall and 1-2 in Region 3-4A.
“When you go through trials and tribulation, you preserve,” said Nation Ford head coach Jake Bentley. “I am so proud of them, the way they found a way to win. Rolling into the game we wanted to see who could give us the hot hand. Ben has worked his butt off to be able to get back.”
Starting his first game of the season at quarterback Ben Falkner gave Nation Ford the spark they needed against the first-year school. Falkner has missed most of the season with an injury.
Lake Wylie took the opening kick and put together a decent drive. Nation Ford took over at their own 29-yard line and made their way down the field led by Falkner and Asher Beck at receiver. They combined for a six-play drive and scored twice before penalties on each score brought the ball back. The two finally connected on a 20-yard touchdown pass with about 4:20 left in the opening quarter.
Lake Wylie bounced right back to tie the game at seven on their next series.
On their first drive of the second quarter, Falkner led Nation Ford again down the field this time using his legs topping off a scoring drive with a 2-yard touchdown run by Banks Demby.
After a stop on defense, Nation Ford added to their total as they went 60-yards on five plays with Falkner and Beck again connecting on a 20-yard touchdown pass.
The next series for Lake Wylie on third down was disastrous as a tipped pass by JD Edley resulted in a 20-yard touchdown return for the Falcons.
Defense was strong for the Falcons in the first half as they made several stops on fourth downs forcing Lake Wylie to turn the ball over.
Right before the half, the Chargers added three points on a 32-yard field goal.
Lake Wylie stopped Nation Ford on their first drive of the second half. The Chargers took over near midfield and scored on a 68-yard touchdown pass to cut into the Falcons lead.
Nation Ford got the points back on a six-play drive on their next series with both Falkner and Beck connecting again on a 33-yard pass for their third score of the game.
To start the fourth quarter, Lake Wylie blocked a Falcons’ punt and recovered the ball back in the Nation Ford red zone. The Falcons defense held strong and took over on downs at their own 13-yard line.
One thing that hurt both teams in the game was penalties. Nation Ford was flagged unofficially 20 times for 170 yards. Lake Wylie didn’t go down without a fight as they scored with about 2:45 left in the game to cut the lead to just 11 at 35-24.
The Chargers tried an onside kick, but Nation Ford had their hands team ready with Demby recovering near midfield. The Falcons added an insurance score with about 90 seconds left in the game on a 41-yard touchdown run by Ethan Childs.
Falkner finishes with an impressive 272 yards passing on 17-of-20 with three touchdowns.
Beck was his leading receiver catching all three touchdowns to go with nine passes for 156 yards. Demby rushed with 79 yards on 12 carries to lead the Falcons ground attack.
Nation Ford heads to rival Catawba Ridge next Friday, Oct. 9.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
