Junior Varsity Falcons fall short at Oceanside

By Walter Bays

The Carlsbad junior varsity defeated visiting Torrey Pines 17-7, with each team giving up three turnovers.

The Falcons had the first scoring opportunity when defensive end Julian Schlag forced a fumble recovered by the Falcons on the Lancer 28. But Torrey Pines couldn’t move the ball, and when a fourth-down pass fell incomplete, Carlsbad took over and immediately struck with a 75-yard touchdown run to go ahead 7-0.

In the second quarter, Carlsbad had a chance to widen its lead when the Falcons fumbled a punt return, giving the Lancers the ball on the Falcon 32. Torrey Pines’ defense, led by linebacker Louis Bickett, was unyielding, and Gunnar Braun picked off a Lancer pass in the end zone with just 12 seconds remaining in the half, to seemingly end the threat.

However, on the next play, Torrey Pines gave up a fumble on their 14, and the Lancers kicked a field goal to extend their lead to 10-0.

In the third quarter, Torrey Pines drove from their 44 to the Carlsbad 34, where a 29- yard run by Peter Nelson gave them first and goal at the 6. Penalties set them back to the 28, then Carlsbad intercepted at the goal line and ran it back to the 28. Carlsbad marched downfield and scored on a 44-yard touchdown pass to lead 17-0.

The Lancers were driving again in the fourth quarter when Ryan Cesari recovered a fumble and returned it 36 yards to the Lancer 14. Cesari couldn’t manage to turn the corner on a pitch, and it was third and long for the Falcons, who came back with the same play again. Or so it appeared to this writer and to the Lancer defense, who converged on Cesari as Peter Nelson carried the other way for a first down at the 3.

Jadon Cotton carried it in to make the final score 17-7.

The Falcons are 3-3 on the season and host the 4-2 Oceanside Pirates at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.