Faribault Football Remains Unbeaten at Home

The Faribault Falcon football team loves home cooking.

The Falcons defeated Rochester John Marshall at Bruce Smith Field 34-14 in front of a huge crowd on a perfect night for football. It was Faribault's homecoming game and, with the win, their record is 3-2 on the season.

John Marshall dropped to 2-3.

In their three homes games this season, the Falcons have outscored their opponents 96-24.

Faribault started the game a bit sluggish. They won the toss, elected to receive and didn't do much in their first offensive series.

The Rockets took over at their 41 and completed three straight passes for nine yards to advance the ball to midfield. They went for a first down on fourth and one and speedy senior running back Shahan Ameen went right up the middle 50 yards for a score. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful and John Marshall led 6-0.

Faribault had a three and out on their next series, giving the ball to the Rockets on the 47 of Faribault.

Senior John Marshall quarterback Jared Juth attempted a pass over the middle and senior Faribault safety Sam Pommeranz picked it off to give the Falcons the ball at their 38 yard line.

It sparked the offfense to go on a 12-play, 62-yard drive ending in a Felipe Ramirez three-yard touchdown.

The key play on the drive was a 20-yard connection from Hart to senior tight end Chase Ernste and an 11-yard pass to senior wide out Cody Ehlers. Ehlers was hit in the air while making the catch and came down with the football. Junior kicker Cade Kletscka hit the extra point and Faribault led 7-6. They would never relinquish the lead.

The next two series of the first half the Falcons scored.

Deep in their own territory on a fourth and long John Marshall elected to go for a fake punt and gave Faribault the ball on their own 32-yard line.

Five plays later senior quarterback Kade Hart hit senior wide receiver Cody Ehlers in the front corner of the end zone for a 16-yard scoring strike. Kletschka's extra point was good and it was 14-6.

Their next offensive series Faribault scored in three plays with senior running back Dallas Stapleton showing some of his breakaway speed on a 48-yard dart into the end zone. Kletschka's kick was again good and it was 21-6 with 5:09 to go in the half.

The Rockets would score with :17 to go in the half on a seven-yard pass to Ameen coming out of the backfield and Juth ran in for the two-point conversion to make it 21-14.

The score capped a 12-play, 79-yard drive and gave John Marshall some momentum heading into the extended halftime due to homecoming.

The Rockets got the ball to start the second half at their 25-yard line and were stopped a yard short on a fourth down in Falcon territory.

The Falcons took over possession at their 36 and went on a seven-play, 64-yard drive that ended in a 28-yard touchdown run by Hart and it was 28-14 after the Kletschka kick.

John Marshall started on their 20 after a touchback kick from Kletschka and, on the third play, 6-foot-5 senior safety T.J. Hunt went high in the air to haul in a interception.

The Falcons started the series at the 46 of John Marshall and went on a seven-play, 46-yard drive that ended in a Felipe Ramirez 25-yard run to the end zone. Kletschka's extra point kick was no good and the score was 34-14.

The Falcons only attempted one pass the entire second half because they didn't need to throw.

Unofficially I had Faribault with 333 total yards on the night, 286 were on the ground.

Felipe Ramirez finished with 133 yards on 25 carries. Hart had 14 carries for 76 yards and Stapleton 10 carries for 75 yards. All unofficial totals.

Unlike last week, the Falcons had no turnovers in the game.

Our Faribault State Farm players of the game courtesy of Tony Langerud and Jason Krohn were the offensive line again of Sam Jasinski, Connor Leet, Hunter Gare, Christian Weber, Derek Leroy and Chase Ernste and Felipe Ramirez and defensively Henry Sanchez, Sam Pommeranz, Ernste and T.J. Hunt.

Next week the Falcons go to Winona and we will have the game on Power 96 Radio 95.9 FM, worldwide at www.power96radio.com or you can listen by downloading the free RadioPup app on your favorite mobile device.