Head coach Michael Allen preached to his team to ‘own our mistakes’ in the minutes following Nation Ford’s 14-6 preseason loss to Marvin Ridge High School Friday night in the nightcap of the third annual Gus Allen Memorial Football Jamboree.
The visiting Mavericks from Waxhaw, N.C. capped long drives of 60 and 63 yards to score short rushing touchdowns and earn a 14-0 lead. The Falcons, who had been stymied for much of the game, finally scored with a Malachi Drayton 2-yard rush after starting out on their own 35 with about four and a half minutes left to play.
The officiating crew called the contest with about 1:30 left on the clock due to heavy rain which overtook the area and caused much of the crowd to find cover.
“We’ve got to own our mistakes, being able to take a hard look at how they played,” Allen said. “Whether it was one play they made a mistake or ten plays they made a mistake, they need to look forward. We’ve got to keep continuing to be together and improving day in and day out.”
Nation Ford finished with a 4-7 (3-2 Region 3-5A) record last season, finishing in third place in the region and falling to Spartanburg in the first round of the playoffs.
After the Falcons’ defense forced a three-and-out on the Mavericks’ first possession, junior quarterback Kaden Barnette, who went 4-11 for 41 passing yards, threw a pick on second and 10 just inside Marvin Ridge territory.
Two possessions later, Marvin Ridge took over the ball on its own 40. A facemask penalty pushed the Mavericks into Nation Ford’s half. Marvin Ridge then gained yardage on three straight rushing plays to set themselves up inside the Falcons’ red zone.
A Marvin Ridge running back then scored the visitors’ first touchdown of the night by escaping to the edge to put the Mavericks up 7-0 on the first play of the second and final quarter.
Nation Ford’s defense picked off Marvin Ridge quarterback Evan Medders with about seven and a half minutes to play. But Barnette threw a second pick on the next Nation Ford play, giving Marvin Ridge the ball back on its own 37. Medders then found a receiver for a 38-yard reception down the sideline, and a Mavericks’ running back pushed his way into the end zone six plays later.
“(Kaden) threw a couple bad balls,” Allen said. “That’s the life of a quarterback. He’ll have nights where he’s the best thing since sliced bread… but he’s a great young man. We feel great about where we’ll end up.”
Nation Ford’s offense took the field one last time with 4:39 left to play. Backup quarterback Carson Sanford made a 20-yard passing play to a receiver, and the Falcons converted three straight rushing plays to give Drayton a chance to score from just two yards out.
The Falcons finished with 55 rushing yards on 15 rushing attempts.
“We’re looking forward to watching this team grow and having the opportunity to compete and win,” Allen said. “That’s the pleasure of it, watching kids grow and putting them in good position. A Nation Ford team is never, ever going to lay down. They’re gonna fight to the bitter end. I’m proud they got to end zone.”
Nation Ford begins the season with a non-region road game at Indian Land 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18. The Falcons play their first home game against non-region opponent York Comprehensive High School 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25.
