FALCONS BLANK FRIARS 32-0

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By Kolby Chang

Falcons’ William DiBiagio deflects the long pass intended for Friars’ receiver Bryton Cepeda (9). (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Singapore Falcons concluded their trip to Guam on a high note by blanking the FD Friars 32-0 on Friday night in their friendly exhibition football game at the George Washington field.

The Falcons played the Guam High Panthers on Monday and played a freshmen game on Wednesday during their weeklong stay on island. Falcons’ head coach Michael Petrosino is looking forward to more games against Guam teams in the future.

“It was a wonderful experience. Your culture, your community has welcomed us with open arms,” Petrosino said.

Falcons’ team captain Nic LeBranche said playing the Guam teams was a new experience for him but he liked the style of play. LeBranche noted the teams they normally face are bigger and are focused on running the ball.

“These teams spread it out a lot more and have good passing,” LeBranche said of the Guam High Panthers and the Friars.

LeBranche is also a senior and he was happy to have gone out with a win.

“It was great competition, especially in the first game. I think that’s by far my most memorable game of my high school career,’ LeBranche said. ‘Overall it was a great experience.”

Friars’ receiver Bryton Cepeda (9) caught a short pass to the left side and gets the first down. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The chance of continuing these types of friendship games appears to be promising according to IIAAG president Marty Boudreau. Boudreau said a representative from the Falcons contacted him last year to ask if any Guam teams were willing to travel to Singapore but since no team was able to the Falcons instead came here.

Boudreau is hoping something can be arranged for a Guam team to go to Singapore next year. ‘They want us to go there,’ Boudreau said.

The Friars were unable to field all of their players from this IFL season and had no answer for a punishing Falcon running game lead by Josh Dawe and Jack Albanese that put the visitors up early.

Late in the second quarter Albanese smashed his way into the endzone from the 5-yard line for the Falcons’ third touchdown of the game. The Falcons opted to go for the two point conversion and Albanese found Lev Shiv wide open for the option play. Shiv caught the pass and waltzed in untouched to make the score 24-0 going into the half.

Falcons quarterback Jack Albanese heads to the right side lead by his linebacker Josh Dawe to get within inches of a first down. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Finding little success on the ground, the Friars’ All-Island quarterback Tyler Okiyama went to the air in the third quarter to get his team some much needed yards. The Falcons’ tall secondary was ready though as cornerback Robert Moritz picked off Okiyama around the Friars’ 34-yard line.

Two plays later, Dawe took the snap and went to the house for a 29-yard rushing touchdown. Dawe also ran in the two point conversion and the visitors were sitting comfortably on top of a 32-0 lead.

The home team, however, did not go out without putting up a fight. The Friars locked down on defense and refused to let the Falcons reach the endzone again.

With about four minutes to go, the Falcons were forced to go four and out and things started look up for the Friars. On their final drive, Okiyama connected with wide receiver Cole Merfalen for an 11-yard gain that lead to a first down. The chains moved but there just wasn’t enough time for the Friars to get on the board.

Tom Kelly lead the Falcons with a game-high six tackles. Roy Taimanglo notched four tackles for the Friars.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Friars’ quarterback Tyler Okiyama (12) targets his receiver out on the right side. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Falcons’ quarterback Jack Albanese manages to break off the Friars tackles and scores the touchdown. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Falcons’ William DiBiagio heads to the right side and is taken out of bounds by the Friars defense. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Friars’ Brian Leon Guerrero (26) starts the friendship game with the kickoff to the Falcons. (photo by Jesse Castro)

After winning the coin toss, Friars elected to kick the ball to the Falcons. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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