Article by Josh Longstreth
There may not be a hotter team in the state right now than the Freeland Falcons. Over the course of four weeks Freeland has now outscored their opponents, 229-55. The Falcons had their way again last week over Alma as they cruised to a 55-13 win over the Panthers. Freeland had the game put away at the half as they led 48-6 to that point. This week they would look to do it against another Panthers team, this time, the Birch Run Panthers.
The Falcons opened up the scoring by putting together an impressive 10-play drive. It was capped off by a Brayden Petre 5-yard scoring jaunt. This gave Freeland a 6-0 lead heading into the second quarter as Birch Run hung around early.
That wouldn’t last long. Freeland then got their offense rolling. Jake Metiva began what would be a big night for himself, as he hit Wilson Huckaby on a 55-yard touchdown pass. This gave the Falcons a 12-0 lead to that point. They would then put some more space between themselves and the Panthers. Sam Talaga would cap off just a 1-play scoring drive on a 38-yard run. The Falcons then led 18-0. Just to put a final statement on the first half, Freeland would do it again. Metiva would find Ty Fournier on a 45-yard touchdown. It would be all Falcons at the half, 25-0.
It wouldn’t get much better for Birch Run. Metiva, again, would find Fournier. This time from 45-yards away and Freeland put themselves up, 31-0. With the Panthers reeling, Jake Metiva and the Falcons offense had no concern for it. Metiva again to Fournier, this time from 41-yards out. It would be all Freeland heading into the final quarter of play, 38-0.
Much of the same in the fourth for the Falcons. Metiva would decide to let someone else get in on the action this time as he would find Brady Shavrnoch on a 27-yard pitch and catch. This gave the Falcons a 45-0 advantage. Freeland ended their scoring on the night with a 1-yard plunge from Owen Case putting the Falcons up 52-0. The Panthers would finally reach the endzone themselves on a David Lopez 30-yuard run but it was just too little too late. Freeland cruises in week six, 52-8.
Birch Run will fall to 4-2 on the season. Things haven’t come as easy for the Panthers over the last few weeks as they’ve dropped their last two of three. It won’t get any easier, either, as they take on a Garber team who is looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Frankenmuth.
Freeland will improve to 6-0 on the year as they have made things look very easy for most of the season. They will take on Frankenmuth in a big TVC clash in week seven. The Eagles come in at 5-1. This one will have an imprint on how the TVC Red plays out.Buckle up, it will be one of the biggest matchups of the season in any division.
