Phenix City Falcons Game Summary

Game Summary

The Phenix City Falcon football team capped its best season ever by winning the Southern Football League’s Championship. Although the Falcons (7-2) were considered the underdogs in this match up with the Forest Park Vikings (11-0), they managed to drive to an undeniable victory (22-5) in the Vikings home stadium (Kiwanis Stadium in Forest Park Georgia). The Falcons will now travel to Brooklyn NY for the National Championship game vs. either the Connecticut Giants or the Virginia Hornets on November 17th.

After a difficult first half of the season, that included losses to the Forest Park Vikings and Georgia Pride, the Falcons regrouped and refocused to take on the second half of the season. Credit for this rejuvenation was largely due to the emergence of Anthony Merritt (WR/CB) as a dominating force on both sides of the ball. Merritt finished the second half of the season averaging two scores and Two Interception’s a game. Dominating power back, Don Hill Jr., led the team in rushing setting a ferocious tone by plowing through the opposing defenses. A veteran Offensive Line led by Rick Freiberg (LG) opened up holes and secured the pass rush for the Falcons all year. The Falcons Finished the Season with the 2nd ranked Offense and the 3rd ranked defense in the league. Key Offensive players included: Chris Lee QB, Anthony Merritt WR, Curtis Simpson WR, Don Hill JR HB, Elbert Ash.

A crucial component to the Falcons winning season has been it’s all star squad defense, consisting of many of the best athletes in the Phenix City / Columbus area in the last few years. This squad of superstars was able to put aside egos and individual accomplishments in order to field one of the best defensive teams the Southern Football League has seen. Notable Leaders from the “Goon Squad” defense are: Adrian Lyles LE, Wille Deloney RE, Jarvis Woods LB, Anthony Merritt CB, Keeley Jones CB, Elbert Ash S, and Cedric Ware S.

The key game of the season was the week 8 battle against the Middle Georgia Warriors in Macon, GA. The Warriors came out scoring the first two Touchdowns and pushing the Falcons to the brink of missing the playoffs. The Falcons were able to battle back behind three interceptions by Anthony Merritt and a 36 point explosion by the Falcon offense. The 36-12 win secured a first round playoff bye and home field advantage until the championship game.
The Warriors battled back to face the Falcons for a 3rd time this season, but this time there would be no scores for the Warriors. The Falcons picked up where they left off in the previous game and clinched their spot in the championship game with a 48-0 win.
The Southern Football Championship is always s a battle and the Falcons had a difficult task this year, as they were to face the 11-0 Forest Park Vikings. The Vikings were a heavy favorite because of a 12-0 defeat of the Falcons in Week 3. The game would be an all out war as both teams battled up and down the field. Falcons were able to score first but only with a safety to go up 2-0. The players new this lead would not hold and it seemed as if the stadium held it’s breath with each drive for both offenses. Only to be shut down inside of the red zone. Falcons were able to score on a scramble and TD pass in the 2nd quarter, however a blocked extra point made the score 8-0. Forest Park forced a safety of their own to get on the board with an 8-2 score. Third quarter was more hard hitting defense from the Falcons but the Vikings did manage a Field Goal to bring the score to 8-5. The Falcon’s tough defense pounded and blitzed all night to force many errors. Falcons were forced to battle the against the yellow flags and the Vikings all night ling. In the end the Falcons capped a scoring drive on a brilliant 40 yard scramble and touchdown pass. The Falcon’s QuarterBack Maurice Mullins was able to find Mike Walton (WR) wide-open in the end zone. A spectacular leap by Cedric ware over the on rushing DB gave the Falcons two more points on the try. Falcons 16 – Vikings 5. Forest Park was able to drive deep into the Falcon side of the field several more times, but each one was rebuffed by the Falcon’s stingy defense. With the game winding down to the final seconds a desperation pass by the Vikings QB was intercepted by CB Keeley Jones and returned 86 yards for the final TD as time expired.

Final Score Falcons 22 – Vikings 5.

SFL Division Championship Game:

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2006 Game Recaps:

Game Ten recap:

Falcons traveled to Macon Georgia to face the International City Warriors, in a battle of two SFL powerhouse teams. For the second game in a row calls would not fall the Falcons way. Several big pass defenses were called for interference including one with less than a minute to go 4th and 30 where the Falcon defender stepped in front of the Warrior WR ran 5yds back to the ball and nearly made the interception batting the ball down. This great football game was once again marred by the biased officials. I don't know how you can expect to grow a sport if you can't put a fair product on the field and call a fair game. It's not even as if it's close, it's overtly biased, as every single call, and about 7 or 8 phantom calls went the Warriors way.

It is a Disrespect to the game. Simple as that. I am dissapointed that a man would think he could call a game that way, and look at himself in the mirror in the morning. That man should never step on to a football field again, as it's a disrespect to all the men who have sweat blood on the field.

The integrity of the game is in question, and if you have to go to that extent to win then you are not a man, and you are not playing the sport called football. I have been associated with Semi-Pro Football for 10 years now, and this is the worst that I have seen. I don't know how we could expect to ask fans to come to a game and pay money if all you are putting out there is a Staged WWE style event.

Falcons win on a great defensive play by Willie Deloney scooping up a fumble and returning it 60yds for a score. Offensive player of the game was Elbert Ash who scored on a 55yd touch down pass only to have the back referee some 83yds away from the play as the birds fly call him out of bounds at the 15. The referee on the sidline 2 yds away threw his hands up touch down. At some point there is no other way to call it, but what it is. For two years now in the SFL this has gone on. It's a shame that it should be this way.

Falcons win 8-6.

Falcons will travel to the Stars next who had a penalty for of 295yds and a penalty against of 35. Not including the 140yds lost due to flags waived off. We all know there is a home field advantage, but at least pretend to call a fair game.

Game Nine recap:

The Phenix City Falcons hosted the Gadsden Avengers in what has become a classic SFL battle. The Avengers played a tough game, but their QB #2 was forced to scramble for survival most of the night. The Falcons were able to hold down the Avenger WRs early on. Falcon #8 Mr. Ford set the tone with another "Ford Tough Touchdown" as he stepped in front of the Avenger receiver to intercept the ball and take it back for a TD. Mr. Ford is the SFL leader in Interceptions, pulling farther away from the pack in each game. Falcons #21 EA held down the other side of the field as the Falcons D-Line put the pressure on closing the deal with Sack after Sack. The Falcons touchdown in the second quarter on a Toss Sweep to the Right side behind big #75 capped the Phenix City scoring.

The Avengers managed to score late in the 3rd quarter to bring the game closer. They had several chances after that to tie the game up but were unable to convert. Falcons win with a final score of 13-6.

Game Eight recap:

In a tough battle with the International City Warriors, the Phenix City Falcons fall 20-7.

Game Seven recap:

Phenix City Falcons Traveled to Americus to play the Georgia Stars. The Falcon Defense played a superb game holding the Stars to under 100yds total offense. There was nothing the stars could do against the hard hitting Falcon defense. The Stars QB was sacked 11 times forcing several bad passes and a few near interceptions. Too bad the Falcon effort was offset by 245yds in penalties during regulation at the hands of the men in stripes. Falcons were able to draw 30yds in penalty's against the Stars. The Stars had 4 flags waived off opening up several big plays including a deep pass interference call.

Stars jumped out to a 12-0 lead against the Falcons but then the defense woke up and realized that they would not be able to give up a single play, as they fought a rain of yellow flags. Ex Falcon Carlos Moffet was held to -8 yards on the night as the Falcon defense explained to him why he was released.

The Falcons managed to come back to make it 12-12 at the end of regulation. Stars won a coin flip that no one saw to go into overtime. The Falcon Defense showed once again why they are the toughest defense in the SFL as even backed deep into the Falcon side by penalties, they came up huge with a FG block. In the end though the Falcon offense was not able to drive the field as they saw 50yds additional penalty in OT. The Stars were able to complete a pass after two flags for holding were waived off to get deep into Falcon territory again, this time the Star kicker managed a FG to end over time 15-12. Stars home field advanage proved huge setting a record 295 penalty yards recieved.

Game Six recap:

Phenix City Falcons make the trip to West Georgia to battle the West Georgia Renegades. This game promised to be an interesting matchup after the first game ended in controversy. The game was being watched closely by many as there was a strong police presence before, during and after the game. A presence that was missed at the beginning of the game was the Referee's as only one Ref started the game and continued until the others showed up at the start of the 2nd quarter.

The Renegades would strike first blood on a 4th and long they fire a desperation pass deep into the back of the end zone 4 Falcons jump to intercept the ball but no one comes down with it. New life is given to the Renegades as the yellow flag hits the field turf. They are first and goal and manage to punch in a score along with the 2pt conversion.

The Falcons new they had to pick up their game as it was going to be a difficult struggle fighting up hil against the West Georgia team. Falcons were able to recoup and stage the comeback going up on the Renegades 28-8 before giving up a fourth quarter score to make the game final 28-14.

Game Five recap:

Falcons traveled to Macon Georgia to face the International City Warriors, who brought a tough squad and a fresh win against the SFL champion South Georgia Star. This game was a brutal battle against the Warriors. Calls would not fall the Falcons way this night as several big pass defenses were called for interference. The game nearly got out of control as the Warriors pushed the refs further and further.

The Warriors took a commanding 14-0 lead into halftime with their first touch down comming after a "running into the kicker / blocked into the kicker" call that gave new life to the Warrior offense.

Bright spots on the night was superb play by Domonique Hawkins who had two big sacks for huge yardage loss.

The Falcons came out hitting after a half time rally call by Coach Spivey. The Falcons defense was able to hold the Warriors with tough bend but don't break defense.

Now it was up to the Falcon Offense to give the team a chance to win. Falcons were able to secure a score, but a missed XP made it 14-6. The defense would need to help out the team some in this game for the Falcons to have a chance. Like Coach Spivey said before the game "The offense is just like novacain, just gotta give it time to work" The Falcons were able to out work the Warriors and punched another TD into the endzone forcing a huge 2pt conversion try. Falcons called a time out to discuss what needed to be done, and the execution had to be perfect. Running behind Willie Deloney and Alphonso Noad the Falcons converted 2pts to tie the game 14-14.

Macon would have one more shot on offense with a little under 2 minutes to go in the game the secured position for a FG but Alphonso Noad was able to penatrate through the Warrior line and fly high into the air for a critical blocked kick. The Falcons would take over the ball with :23 seconds to go and knelt on it to take the game into overtime.

Falcons win the kick but a fumble on offense gave the Warriors life. The Falcon Defense again stepped up forcing the Warriors deep into their own side of the field. Falcons played back and forth until roughly 3 minutes left in the game they started to drive toward the Warrior zone. The final play of the game was a QB keeper with Chris Lee scampering, spinning and squeezing into the endzone for a score.

Falcons win a tough hard fought game that they had to play up against great odds showing the hearts of a champion caliber team. Phenix City Falcons 20 - International City Warriors 14

Game Four recap:

The Phenix City Falcons traveled to Rainbow City to take on the Gadsen Avengers in a tough SFL division conference game. The Falcons were short on players but deep in heart as most everyone on the team pulled their share on Offense, Defense and Special teams. The game opened up with a quick score by the Falcons driving the field and punching a QB keeper by J.R. Lane into the endzone. It looked like there would be some scoring done this night. The humidity was very high and rains earlier in the day made the wet ball tough to throw and even harder to catch. The game was dominated by the Phenix City Falcon defense as #9 Adrian Lyles put intense pressure on the O-Line and the QB forcing the QB time and again to step up, or scramble into the Falcons Pass rush.

A welcome suprise came as Chris Lee #2 hit two clutch kicks to remain perfect on the night.

The Defense ruled the day completing the run in the fourth quarter with a 80yd fumble recover for a TD. Falcons move to 2-1 in conference.

Game Three recap:

Falcons lost a tough division game to the SFL Champion South Georgia Stars. The Falcons controled the game until late in the fourth quarter when the Stars offense was finally able to break through and score. The falcons only up 6-0 were unable to answer the Stars score and let victory slip from their hands.

Game Two recap:

The Phenix City Falcons where host to the Atlanta Aggression a five time championship game representative and yearly power in the SFL. This was a hard hitting game that both teams struggled on moving the ball. The Falcons scored first on a Goal line dive, but a blocked XP made it 6-0. The Aggression came back on a long pass and converted a 2pt conversion to FB #36 to make the score 6-8. Both teams threw several int's as the defense's stepped up and took away what the offense was doing. The falcons lost several red zone scoring chances with int's in the end zone throughout the game. The ref's were very active from the beginning and at moments the field looked as if it had rained yellow flags. An inadvertent whistle called back a 68yd TD run by the falcons. The Aggression were able to break free in the second half to push the score to 30-6. Falcons came back with 2 minutes to go and brought it to 30-14 but with not enough time and a failed on side kick they were not able to gain another possession. The Aggression tried to push the ball down the field with under two minutes to go, but after using their time outs and a stop on 4th down the Falcons took back over with .04 left in the game. Falcons lose their first game of the season, a tough loss against a quality opponent that will serve as a measuring stick for the young team.

Game One recap:

In a tough battle with the West Georgia Renegades, the Phenix City Falcons edge out a 6-0 victory in an exciting game that ended on a rough note. The Phenix City Falcons would like to thank the Renegades for traveling down to our field and bringing men together on the field for a great battle. Good luck to West Georgia for the rest of the year.

Player of the Week

Player of the Week vs. West Georgia Renegades

Offensive POW: #3 J.R. Lane 143yds Rec, 2td, int, FB Rec.

Deffensive POW:
Player of the Week vs.  International City Warriros

Co-Offensive: #34 Leon Bussey 130yds Rushing #5 Valentino Wise 140yds 1TD
Defensive: #97 Domonic Hawkins 2 Sacks 10tackles
Special Teams: #4 Jimmy Bilbo
Player of the Week vs. Gadsden Avengers           #9 Adrian Lyles 3sacks, 7hurries,ff
Player of the Week vs. South Georgia Stars         #8 Zedrick Ford 2ints 1TD
Player of the Week vs. Atlanta Aggression           #8 Zedrick Ford 3ints
Player of the Week vs. West Georgia Renegades #2 Chris Lee 15tackles, 6tfl

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Phenix City Falcons

2007 CHAMPIONS Southern Football League