Trick play ignites Falcons

DANVILLE >> Freedom struggled early to establish any rhythm on offense against host San Ramon Valley Friday night.

The turning point of a 37-24 victory came on the last play of the first half — an 82-yard hook and ladder that saw Michigan commit Giles Jackson sprint down his own sideline in electric fashion.

“That play was crazy,” Jackson said. “At first I didn’t think it was going to work. I was saying in my head, ‘What if this actually works?’”

The 5-foot-8, 185-pound senior scored three times for the Falcons (4-1), who trailed 17-16 going into the locker room but had snatched momentum away from SRV (2-2).

“Once we came into halftime, we came together as a family and came out and did our thing,” said Freedom senior Daniel Roanhorse, who came down with three interceptions.

The Wolves led 10-0 after an 80-yard punt return to the house by Clay Facteau in the first quarter and a 41-yard field goal by Jayden Benedict with 10:12 left in the half.

Freedom quarterback Joey Aguilar put his team on the board on the ensuing drive with a 16-yard touchdown on fourth down to Jackson.

“The show he put on was amazing, that’s why Michigan is getting one of the best backs in the whole country,” Freedom coach Andrew Cotter said. “And they should be real excited because I’m excited to be able to coach him now.”

A four-star recruit, Jackson announced his commitment to Michigan on Monday — and he couldn’t be happier.

“I don’t have all the pressure of coaches talking to me,” he said. “And some schools I know I don’t like, but I don’t want to be mean, so I had to tell them I wasn’t going to their school. And now that that’s out of the way I can just finally concentrate on the season.”

Midway through the second quarter, Freedom’s Taijon Collins blocked a punt for a safety.