Cougars claw past Warriors 30-10

On Friday, October 23, the Fallbrook High School varsity football team faced the Escondido Cougars at home.

The Warriors had a difficult task, trying to hold the unbeaten Cougars’ amazing running game. But after Escondido took an early lead, they never looked back as Fallbrook took the loss 30-10.

Escondido received the ball to begin the game. The Warrior defense awed the crowd as they played excellent defense to stop the Cougars from scoring.

However, after a Fallbrook punt, Escondido needed three plays to notch the first points of the game. Cougar running back Ricky Seale stunned the Warrior defense with a 71-yard touchdown run.

After forcing another three and out, the Cougars scored their second touchdown. This time, it only took them two plays.

From their 32-yard line, Seale ripped the Fallbrook defense for a 56-yard gain, setting up a touchdown run for Tim Zier. At the end of the first quarter, Escondido led by 14.

In the second quarter, the Cougars continued to move the chains. On a fourth and goal, Seale punched in a one-yard touchdown run. The Warriors finally scored on the following drive in three plays.

Fallbrook’s Cameron Remy took the ball 74 yards on a reverse to the end zone. Unfortunately for the Warriors, starting quarterback Christopher Fuetterer broke his collarbone on the same play, finishing him for the game and likely for the remainder of the season.

The defense did their part as they forced an Escondido punt. A great return by Trevor Krok allowed the Warriors to begin their drive on the opponent’s 25-yard line.

After failing to gain a first down, Victor Lopez nailed a 35-yard field goal with 43 seconds remaining in the quarter. At halftime, the Warriors trailed 21-10.

In the third quarter, both teams struggled to make plays and score.

On a third down-and-eight situation, the Warrior defense had miscommunication trying to get the right players on the field. The Cougars took advantage as they delivered a 36-yard strike through the air to the Fallbrook one-yard line.

In the fourth quarter, Seale pounded in his third and final touchdown of the night from one yard out.

The Warriors leaned on quarterback Roman Rogers, who filled in for the injured starter but was constantly under pressure as the Cougars knocked the ball loose from his hands and recovered the fumble.

After an Escondido punt, Fallbrook began their drive from their 19-yard line. The Warriors ran a reverse in hopes of repeating the same touchdown run. However, the Cougars were not fooled this time as they dropped Remy in the backfield for a 14-yard loss.

On the next play, the Escondido defense brought down Remy once again, this time for a safety. Fallbrook never gained possession of the ball again.

Highly recruited Escondido running back Seale gained 251 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. The Cougar defense also did their part, holding Fallbrook for just 130 yards total on offense.

“We need a lot of work all around the ball, but this was definitely a team we could have beaten,” said Warrior defensive end Zach Brickell.

Fallbrook coach Joe Silvey added, “We play the game for several reasons and one of them is to win the game, but we also hope to learn some things and battle through adversities.”