The Faribault Falcons turned the ball over four times Friday night and still had a shot at tying the game in the closing seconds. They ended up falling to Mankato East on the road 20-12.

The Falcons won the toss to start the game and deferred with Mankato East getting a very nice return to set up their offense on the 44-yard line.

Junior Cougar quarterback Richard Kamara completed a pass to senior slot receiver Tanner Stengel for a 23-yard touchdown after a couple of missed tackles. A two-point run attempt was no good and it was 6-0 Mankato East at Wolverton Field in Mankato with 9:46 to go in the first quarter.

Faribault started their drive on the 20-yard line. After picking up a couple of first downs, senior quarterback Kade Hart dropped back and looked like he was trying to throw a pass in the backfield but the ball hit the ground and was recovered by Mankato East at the 40-yard line of Faribault.

The Cougars scored thanks to a football that bounced right into the hands of a receiver hitting him in perfect stride.

Quarterback Richard Kamara was running up the middle of the field about 20 yards when he was crunched and coughed up the ball. It bounced on the grass and made a perfect hop into the waiting hands of senior receiver D'Andre Moore, who then ran into the end zone after covering the next 13 yards.

The Cougars kicked the extra point and with just two offensive series under their belt led Faribault 13-0.

Faribault's next offensive series ended in an interception, but Mankato East could not do anything with the football.

The second quarter it appeared the Falcons awakened.

Faribault scored with 7:06 to go in the half on a two-yard Felipe Ramirez run but could not run in the two-point conversion, making it 13-6.

The Falcons would score on the next offensive series with 1:14 to go in the half. Kade Hart used his 6-foot-9 frame to lean into the end zone from one yard out. A two-point pass was incomplete and it was 13-12, which was also the halftime score.

Faribault had to feel pretty good about being within a point after a two-turnover first half and knew they had the ball to start the second half.

The Falcons' first drive started on their 20 and Felipe Ramirez galloped for more than 20 yards behind what appeared to be a more motivated offensive line.

However after a couple of first downs, Faribault went for it on fourth down and didn't make it, turning the ball over the Mankato East on the Cougar 35-yard line.

After a 26-yard run by junior running back Caleb Miller, quarterback Richard Kamara dropped back and threw a bullet to receiver Desmond Bassett on a crossing pattern and he took to the house for a 39-yard touchdown.

Some Falcons had a chance to bring him down but he high stepped out of a couple of attempted tackles around the ankles and ran in for the touchdown. The extra point kick was good and Mankato East led 20-12.

Faribault moved the football on their next two offensive series but both ended in interceptions, one of them in the end zone.

The Falcons were on the Mankato East 13-yard line with nine seconds to go and a chance to tie but came up empty.

Both teams are 2-2.

Mankato East hosts Rochester Century and Faribault has their homecoming next Friday against Rochester John Marshall at Bruce Smith Field.

Coverage begins at 6:45PM on Power 96 Radio, 95.9 FM. You can also go to www.power96radio.com and click the Listen Live button or download the free RadioPup app and listen on your favorite mobile device.

Falcon Running Back/Linebacker Felipe Ramirez- photo by Gordy Kosfeld
Falcon Running Back/Linebacker Felipe Ramirez- photo by Gordy Kosfeld
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