Falcons Storm to Victory in Varsity Opening

Image courtesy of Rakshana Gopinath

The Kent Falcons have opened Varsity 2020 with a pounding on Canterbury Christchurch Chargers, beating them 24-0 in the annual matchup. The first victory for Team Kent took place in the midst of Storm Dennis with high winds preventing the field goals from being erected and making play challenging. Yet this didn’t stop the Falcons passing game.

Image courtesy of Ainy Shiyam

The Falcons three unanswered touchdowns all came from passes from #4 QB Julian Cary, who threw beautifully all day. The Falcons scored on their opening drive after several big passes to #45 WR Alfie Murray who got them right on the Chargers one-yard line. A quick pass to #16 WR Tom Goddard gave him and the team their first touchdown of the day. Forced into a 2-point conversion the Falcons converted it with another quick pass to Murray, putting the score at 8-0.

For the rest of the first half there would be no scoring as the Falcons defence smothered any attempts by the Charger to get their offence going. The speedy Chargers QB #24 was able to evade pressure on some occasions and scramble for some yards but was unable to get too far before being tackled by the Falcons secondary.

Image courtesy of Rakshana Gopinath

Having won the toss and electing to defer the Chargers started the second half with possession but again failed to capitalise on the opportunity, giving the ball back to the Falcons offence at midfield. The first snap of that drive Cary tossed a quick pass to Goddard who then went on to sprint sixty yards downfield and score a second touchdown. Again, Murray caught the ball for another 2-point conversion setting the score at 16-0.

Image courtesy of Armaan Latif, Edited by Aslan Ntumba

The third and final touchdown of the game came at the start of the fourth quarter and Murray was finally rewarded for all his efforts. After driving to the Chargers nine-yard line a penalty put the Falcons at the four-yard line, Cary launched the ball up high allowing a wide-open Murray to leap and catch it to make the score 22-0. #95 Billy Yates would then run it in for the two points and seal the game.

A disappointing loss for the Chargers who put up a good fight in tough conditions. The Falcons undefeated Varsity record remains intact. This was undoubtable a valuable will as the Falcons give Team Kent a 3-point advantage as it heads into the rest of Varsity in March. The team will be sad to be losing some of its key players who have done so much for the team as they leave at the end of year but will be happy to end the season on a high.