When Josh Newransky scored a touchdown late in the first quarter on Saturday, little did he know the 17-yard scamper would hold up.
The St. Ignatius back ran an end around into the end zone, what proved to be the only score in a tightly contested junior high school football championship, handing the Falcons a 7-0 win and a second straight championship.
It was no big deal, said the soft-spoken back.
"I was hoping it would (hold up), Newransky said. "I was hoping our offence would put up some more points. But it is what it is."
Capturing the trophy is a testament to a season of hard work, he said, adding the Falcons aren't done.
"We'll come and get it next year if we can," Newransky said.
Falcons running back Chris Merritt, who dominated the ground game, chewing up clock with 32 carries and 178 yards, said it's hard to believe they did it again.
"It feels pretty good. We've been working prety hard all year to be here and play this game. We just had to give it our all and make sure we left everything on the field and played as hard as we could," Merritt said.
The high-scoring Falcons had to learn to win a different style of football game, but it wasn't something the players weren't
expecting.
"Yeah, it was tougher. As you get into the championships and the final and stuff like that, teams started to get better and the games are closer. So we knew it was going to be tough and a low-scoring game, so we had to make drives count and make the tackle."
Coach Mike Savioli, who wouldn't guarantee a three-peat, said it's tough to win one and even harder to win two in a row.
"Especially in the final game. It's always a tight game and the weather is always a factor. Today our guys just grinded out a victory against a very good St. Pat's team who in many cases controlled the line of scrimmage against us. So a lot of credit goes to them and congratulations goes to them," Savioli said.
"But our guys persevered. It says something about the kids we've gotten in the last few years. They don't quit. They're leaders in and out of the school and they always display the type of Falcon leadership we want. And it paid off today."
The Saints simply couldn't mount an attack.
Take the second quarter for example.
Brady Hales blocked an Ethan Slater punt that gave the Saints the ball on the St. Ignatius 44. But on second down and in need of four yards to keep the drive alive, Zach Solda was stuffed for a two-yard loss. The Saints tried a fake punt, but the pass fell short.
The Saints had a little more luck running the ball in the fourth, keyed by Trenton Woodbeck who slashed it up the midde repeatedly as St. Patrick desperately sought a crack in the Falcons defensive armor. But after pushing the ball into Falcons territory, Solda was dumped for a loss and, to make matters worse, lost the ball.
Edwin Otero snapped it up and the Falcons ran the clock down.
St. Pat's had one more chance, but a pair of Jordie Miault sacks dashed the comeback bid, the three-and-out all but ending any hopes of another Fort William Stadium miracle.
