- April 25, 2024
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After a deep state playoff run last season, the Flagler Falcons lost to Port Orange, 12-6, on Tuesday night in the East Coast Conference semifinals.
The Falcons came into the game as the No. 1 seed after going 8-0 during the regular season.
But turnovers and questionable calls doomed the Falcons in just their second loss in the last two seasons. Port Orange (8-1) came into the game as the No. 2 seed.
On a chilly night at Flagler Palm Coast High School, Port Orange scored on the third play of the game on a long touchdown run, taking a 6-0 lead after a failed extra-point attempt.
Then, the Falcons put a drive together but failed on a fourth-down conversion. With about five minutes to go in the first half, the Falcons had the ball and were driving. On a fourth-and-one, the Falcons picked up enough for the first down but fumbled on the play. Port Orange recovered.
After a defensive stop, the Falcons put together another drive. Running back William Cowles took the ball off the right end and appeared destined to score, but the referee blew an inadvertent whistle and stopped the play. The Falcons ended up getting called for a false start on fourth-and-short from the Port Orange 1-yard line as time expired on the first half.
The Falcons trailed 6-0 at halftime.
Port Orange executed an onside kick to start the third quarter and scored on the same possession, taking a 12-0 lead with 5:07 to go in the third quarter.
Falcons quarterback Shane Riley scored the Falcons’ lone TD on a 1-yard keeper late in the game.
“About half our team was new this year, so the start of the season was really slow trying to get up to speed,” coach Korey Kasch said. “We had an undefeated regular season, and I think from where we started, that was a big accomplishment for these boys.”
Although frustrated on Tuesday night, Kasch said questionable calls are part of the game.
“There are always calls you don't agree with, but ultimately, we didn't play good enough to win,” he said. “The down side is that I feel if we play our best, we were good enough to beat any team. This year as opposed to last year, we were not good enough to overcome turnovers which, in my mind, cost us the game.”
Over the last two seasons, Kasch’s Pee Wee football teams have gone a combined 21-2.
“I am very proud of this team and the coaching staff for how far we came this year,” he said.
