VISITING FALCONS TOP PANTHERS

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By Kolby Chang

Falcons’ running back Josh Dawe takes the ball up the middle for a small gain in yards. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The visiting Singapore Falcons scored a touchdown with less than one minute to play to squeak by the Guam High Panthers 18-16 in a friendly football game Monday night at the George Washington field.

The Falcons are on island this week for two exhibition games and Falcons’ head coach Michael Petrosino is happy his team can experience something like this.

“It’s memories that the kids will make and cherish for the rest of their lives and I’m proud and honored to be their coach,” Petrosino said.

Panthers’ head coach Jacob Dowdell credited IIAAG president Marty Boudreau for spearheading the effort to bring in an international team to give the Panthers a taste of what off-island competition is like.

More importantly, Dowdell said games like these are about sportsmanship and camaraderie, “It’s about establishing friendships and relationships so I’m just grateful our guys got a chance to play one more game and I can’t ask for anything more,”Dowdell said.

Falcons’ running back Josh Dawe continues his run with Panthers’ Harry Woodbery around his waist to score a touchdown. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Falcons struck first as running back Josh Dawe busted through the Panther defense for a nine-yard run into the endzone. The visitors opted to go for the two-point conversion but it was unsuccessful. Stout defense from both teams kept the score at 6-0 until halftime.

The Panthers opened the third quarter on fire as Tegan Brown returned a kick for 32 yards that ignited his team and the sidelines. The Panthers were unable to take advantage of Brown’s big run on that sequence as they went four and out. The Panther defense, however, gave their offense another opportunity as Calvin Harmon recovered a fumble off of a bad snap on the Falcons’ 30 yard line.

From there Brown and the Panther offensive line went to work as they marched their way deep into Falcon territory. Brown then found his way into the endzone from 16 yards out. The Panthers were successful on their two-point conversion as Juwan Jacobs sprinted past the Falcon line to make the score 8-6.

Going into the fourth quarter down by two points, the Falcons countered with a nice running game led by the duo of Dawe and Jack Albanese. On third and goal, Dawe bulldozed his way into the endzone on a five-yard run to put the Falcons up 12-8.

Panthers’ Royce Thomas heads to the rights side for a small gain in yards. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers’ quarterback Lordan Aguon responded by showing some quick feet of his own as he called his number on several plays to move the chains and got the Panthers into scoring position. Aguon capped off the Panther drive by scoring on first and goal from the 15-yard line. Aguon ran it in again for the two-point conversion and the Panthers regained the lead 16-12.

With time winding down, the Falcons got the ball back and methodically worked their way down the field. It was only fitting that their workhorse Dawe would provide the icing on the cake as he rushed past the pylons for the game winning nine-yard touchdown.

Dawe finished with 75 rushing yards while Albanese ran his way to 53 yards. Jack Gildea notched six tackles and Dawe also had three tackles on defense.

Brown had a game-high 90 rushing yards and 125 all-purpose yards. Brown also tallied five tackles. Aguon rushed for 54 yards and had 15 passing yards. Cody Lee Burpo had four tackles.

The Falcons will battle the Father Duenas Friars on Friday at 7pm at the GW field.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Panthers’ Juwan Jacobs heads toward the left side but will be unable to find an opening in the Falcons defense for no gain in yards. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Falcons’ quarterback Jack Albanese breaks away from undefended backfield and heads up the middle for a small gain in yards. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers’ quarterback LJ Aguon follows his center Julian Duenas as they make their way up the middle of the field. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Falcons’ Josh Dawe fends off the Panthers defenders as he continues his rush for yards. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers’ quarterback LJ Aguon hands the ball off to running back Juwan Jacobs. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers’ Austy Hines will be unable to hold onto the ball as he and Falcons’ William DiBiagio come back down. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers’ Tegan Brown heads up the middle for a small gain in yards. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers versus Falcons. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Falcons’ quarterback Jack Albanese fights for more ground while surrounded by Panthers defenders. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Falcons’ quarterback Harry Woodbery looks up field for an open receiver but will be unable to make the connection. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Falcons’ quarterback Jack Albanese follows Josh Dawe up the left side for a short gain in yards. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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