The Fayette Falcons battled until the final minutes Friday night but fell to the fourth-ranked Russellville Indians, 46-24, in Russellville. The Falcons looked electric out on the field for the majority of the night, taking a 26-14 lead into halftime in their first Central State 8 game of the season. The field and the sideline never fell silent; an abundance of motivation and encouragement from head coach Kenny Grubb was a big factor in that.

The game kicked off with a motivated Falcons squad, but after a dominating run game, the Russellville Indians scored the first touchdown, and after a failed two-point conversion, the energy started quick 6-0. Fayette was desperate to respond, but after a couple of miscommunications from the Falcons offense, they were forced to punt. This led to the Indians getting the ball right back in their hands, and they were quick to go to back-to-back scores as the Indians scored their second touchdown of the quarter for a 12-yard passing touchdown. A successful two-point try this time left the score 14-0.

With 5:21 left in the first and down two scores, you would think that the Falcons’ morale would be low. If it were any other team, you would be correct. 

As the game moved on to the second quarter, the Falcons were resilient and refused to give up in the face of their enemy. Fayette kept calling senior quarterback Colten Cross’s number as he kept using his legs on designed keepers to extend plays and gain solid yardage. After a huge pass interference call on the Indians in the Falcons’ red zone, Fayette was set up for success. Which they capitalized on with an 11-yard passing touchdown to senior wide receiver Ky Cunningham with 6:52 left in the second quarter. Following the score, Cross used his legs once again to get the two-point conversion.

With a score of 14-8 and swinging the team momentum, the Falcons looked scary. This momentum followed the team to the other side of the ball, where the Fayette defensive line was showing up. A key player was sophomore cornerback Josiah Billups, who came to play with multiple pass breakups. They held the Indians to a three and out and a punt.

Offensively, Fayette did not slow down as Cross continued to utilize his legs and feed receivers with his quick completions. The Cross-to-Cunningham connection was still elite as Cunningham flipped the field for a 38-yard completion. This set up senior fullback Brodi Tucker on a four-yard rushing touchdown. With 1:10 left in the half, Cross used his legs once for a prosperous two points, making the score 16-14. This score took us into half as the Falcons looked amazing against their state-ranked opponents.

Fayette wasn’t the only team to get fired up when they were down; however, Russellville came out of their locker room raring to go. They answered Fayette’s late first half score with a couple of long rushes and broken tackles. This set up the Indians with great field position, on which they capitalized with an early half three-yard touchdown rush.

The Falcons showed up on the next play though, as they stopped the two-point attempt, making the score 20-16 in Russellville’s favor.

Fayette did not respond the way they wanted to, as they were forced to punt after a three and out. This gave Russellville an opportunity to go up big in the later minutes of the game. Russellville handed off the ball on the next play, where after many broken tackles, their running back broke free for a 69-yard touchdown with 4:33 left in the third quarter.

Tucker had something to say about those broken tackles the next play as he dominated the Indians offensive line and made huge contact with the runner, stopping the two-point try to hold the score at 26-16.

What the Falcons could not stop was the flood of Russellville momentum as they continued to prove themselves. Fayette may have let those fiery emotions get the best of them as they were stopped on offense once again.

Russellville did not wait to get their third score in three drives as they broke loose again for another dominating 67-yard touchdown. With a good completion from the Indians, they successfully got the two points, leaving the scoreboard at 34-16.

The following drive was much the same for Fayette’s offense, ending with an interception.

Following the takeaway, Russellville rushed in for another costly 10-yard touchdown, followed by an unsuccessful two-point try. The score was 40-16.

Fayette stayed persistent through the third quarter, however, and Cross showed he can play on both sides of the ball as he took a scoop and scored all the way to the house running 40 yards down the field. And he didn’t stop running there. Cross then used his legs to get in the end zone one more time for the two-point try, making the score a little easier on the eyes, 40-24, in the Indians favor.

Russellville responded quickly for the last score of the game, a five-yard rushing touchdown with 3:15 left on the clock for the night. The score was 46-24, where it stayed for the rest of the game. 

“Our kids work hard, and I think the world of them,” stated Coach Grubb. He has full trust in his team and is preparing for next week at Linn, in which he plans to “focus on ourselves because that is the most important thing we can do individually.” 

Cross finished the night completing nine of 13 passes for 111 yards and an interception. He connected with four receivers on the night, led by sophomore Paxton Llewellyn with four receptions for 36 yards. Cunningham added two grabs for 42 yards, including a 38-yard reception. Freshman Chase Vandelicht made two catches for 25 yards. Senior Ledgyr Conrow had one catch for eight yards.

An option quarterback, Cross also led the rushing game with 21 carries for 83 yards including a 43-yarder.

Tucker added 32 yards on eight carries with a touchdown.

Defensively, Tucker led the Falcons with six solo tackles and eight assists, with one tackle for loss. Sophomores Kingston Ejilika, Justin Kunze, Llewellyn, and senior Ky Cunningham each recorded four tackles.

The Falcons remain on the road Friday night at Linn for their second CS8 contest of the season. The Wildcats are winless on the season so far at 0-5, having lost at Harrisburg on Friday in the conference opener.

The Falcons return home next Friday, hosting defending Class 1 state champion Tipton.