Field goal propels Falcons to triple overtime triumph

Forty-eight minutes, three overtimes, broken fingers, battered bodies and a wobbly that kick cleared the goal post.

That about sums up the Sheboygan Falls Falcons Homecoming football game against Two Rivers Friday, Sept. 25, at Zell Field.

After the two squads played to a scoreless 0-0 deadlock through two overtime periods, senior kicker Kody Meanor booted a 27-yard field goal in the third overtime to lift the Falcons to an improbable 3-0 Eastern Wisconsin Conference victory over a tough Two Rivers Purple Raiders football team.

Meanor’s game-winning kick sent the SFHS Homecoming crowd into a frenzy.

“Every time we got close, they told me to get ready,” said Meanor, proudly holding the game ball. “It was just an ecstatic feeling. I’m so happy to be a part of this team.”

Meanor came out for football last year, hoping to get a chance to play. With injuries, hurting the Falcon team, Meanor was called upon to take over punting and kicking.

“He has been a great addition to the team,” said Falcons coach Mike Nikson. “He stepped up big and that’s all we ask of our players.

“Every week we tell these players to stick together, work hard and you will succeed,” he said.

As a proud coach walked off the field, Two Rivers coach Brent Luebke wondered what might have been.

“This is a tougher loss than you think,” Luebke expressed. “Our teams haven’t beat Falls in over 20 years and have been shutout in the last six straight games by the Falcons.

“This win would have been a character builder for this team,” he said.

The loss was the first of the season for the Purple Raiders, who dropped to 2-1 in the EWC (3-2 overall). With the victory, Falls improves to 2-1 in the EWC (4-1 overall).

Both teams went toe-to-toe on a wet and rain-soaked Zell Field, without a score during regulation play.

There were so many factors that led to a 0-0 tie after four quarters of play, but nobody could have predicted the outcome.

Two Rivers controlled the game on the ground and the Falcons defense never bent.

“It was a dogfight.” exclaimed senior captain Ben Tenpas. “Our defense made some big plays.”

“Coach always talks about giving 100 percent,” said senior lineman Spencer Hurlburt. “Our defense just hit as hard as we could.”

Hurlburt felt that he might have some broken fingers, but was happy for the Falcons first Homecoming win in four years.

The Raiders missed opportunity after opportunity, including four missed field goals and two in overtime.

Early in the fourth quarter, Raiders back Brad Ducat broke loose for 69 yards on the first play from scrimmage. He was stopped on a game-saving tackle by junior Alex Grabowski at the Falcons 19-yard line.

The Falls defense withstood the drive and Two Rivers missed a field goal, with seven minutes left in the game.

Late in the game, Falcons sophomore Bobby Musil returned a punt 38 yards to the Raiders 33-yard line, with 1:03 left.

Falls was unable to punch the ball in, ending the drive on a quarterback’s Adam Lorenz second thrown interception of the game at the Raiders 2-yard line.

Two Rivers was content to play for overtime and ran the clock out.

The Raiders were forced to make a field goal try in each of the overtimes, but came up empty each time. Their third attempt to score ended in an interception.

Lorenz took his third chance at the win for the Falcons and kept the ball on the ground for six yards to the Raiders’ 19.

Two carries by junior back Andy Ansay for six more yards gave Falls a much-needed first down at the 13.

Lorenz moved the ball to the 10 and set up the game-winning field goal by Meanor.

“Defense wins games,” Nikson remarked. “Our offense wasn’t pretty tonight, but we held together until the end.”

It was also the first game this season that Nikson had healthy backfield. An effective running game worked to the Falcons advantage, as it wore down a tired Raiders defensive squad late in the contest.

Falls gained 98 total rushing yards, including 72 in the fourth quarter and the three overtimes.

Ansay led the team with 59 yards and senior Zach Berg gained 33. Lorenz was sacked five times, but was able to complete 10-of-25 passes for 123 yards, to go along with two interceptions. Falls’ Musil led all receivers with one catch for 60 yards.

Two Rivers’ Doucat led all rushers with 164 yards on 23 carries. Quarterback Brad Shilcox completed four passes for 32 yards.

Scoring SF-Kody Meanor 27 FG

Individual Leaders Rushing - Two Rivers, Brad Ducat 23-164, Joseph Her 8-17. Sheboygan Falls, Zach Berg 10-33, Andy Ansay 14-59.

Passing - Two Rivers, Kraig Shilcox 4-17-32-3. Sheboygan Falls, Adam Lorenz 10-26-123-2.

Receiving - Two Rivers, David Werner 3-17. Sheboygan Falls, Nick Roelse 5-40, Matt Henning 2-14, Bobby Musil 1- 60.