Balanced offense lifts Falcons to sixth straight win
Quick take
Assured of its own postseason berth, the Tompkins football team could affect the seasons of two teams Friday at Rhodes Stadium.The Falcons defeated Paetow 45-14 to eliminate the Panthers from playoff contention, also putting Morton Ranch in the playoffs.
Postseason implications aside, Tompkins used another convincing victory to end the regular season on a six-game winning streak. One week after dropping a seasonhigh 65 points on Jordan, the Falcons forced four turnovers and scored three rushing and three passing touchdowns to pull away.
Highlights
Tompkins scored on its opening drive, sparked by a 31-yard catch and run by Noah Coughran. On third and 11, Ogunrin made a catch in coverage in the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown less than three minutes into the game.
The teams exchanged turnovers, as Cody Chapman intercepted a deep pass for Tompkins and Alexander Kilgore recovered a fumble for Paetow three plays later.
The Panthers cashed in on their turnover, using a 22-yard run on a direct snap to Daymion Sanford to set up a 22-yard touchdown by Koby Truehill.
On fourth and 1, Truehill powered into the line on a quarterback sneak and emerged from pack to score.
Tompkins made it 14-7 on its next drive, scoring with five seconds left in the first quarter as Wyatt Young sprinted 24 yards on an option keeper.
After a tackle for loss by Jarra Anderson, Paetow forced another fumble but could not take advantage.
Tompkins drove 69 yards in five plays for a 21-7 lead, with runs of 48 and 20 yards by Caleb Blocker setting up his 3-yard touchdown catch with 5:23 left in the half.
Paetow reached Tompkins territory on a 22-yard keeper by Derrick Johnson, but a fumble four plays later was recovered by Sampson Okorafor. Tompkins took the 21-7 lead into halftime.
Jhase McMillan and Braden Foor added interceptions to help Tompkins maintain a sizeable lead, overcoming three lost fumbles, one recovered by Paetow’s C.J. Johnson in the red zone.
Paetow closed within 35-14 on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Truehill to Gene Kendall. Caleb Komolafe’s 36-yard touchdown run and a 43-yard field goal by Andrew Horner closed the scoring.
Tompkins finished with 462 yards of offense.
What it means
Tompkins finishes the regular season 8-2 overall, 6-2 in District 19-6A, tied with Cinco Ranch for second place. Paetow concludes its first 6A season 5-5, including a 4-4 district mark.
Quotable
“No block, no rock,” Ogunrin said of the importance of receivers blocking. “You’ve just got to do your job. I love when I see my running backs get out and start running. It really makes me happy. It takes 11 guys to make a play and do something great.”
Game balls
Blocker amassed 138 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while Ogunrin had 84 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. Young set several season highs passing, completing 13 of 18 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Chapman added a pair of pass breakups to his early interception.
Paetow was led by Derrick Johnson’s 74 yards on nine carries, primarily on direct snaps. Anderson was constantly in Tompkins’ backfield, recording several tackles for loss.
Next game
Tompkins plays in its fifth consecutive postseason and has advanced to the regional semifinals each of the previous four seasons. The Falcons will play District 20-6A champion Ridge Point in the Class 6A Division II bidistrict playoffs. It will be the Falcons’ first meeting with the Panthers (8-2), who also reached the regional semifinals or further the last two years.