Falcons secure two-seed with win

The Abbotsford Falcons wrapped up their 2023 regular season with a win over Pittsville last Thursday, taking down the Panthers 35-22 at home. The victory helped them earn a two-seed in the WIAA Division 6 playoffs, returning to the postseason after missing the tournament last year.

A huge night from JV Castillo on the ground and two second half interceptions courtesy of Emilio Escalera were key in the Falcons victory over their Marawood foes.

Castillo ran for 239 yards and scored four of Abbotsford’s five touchdowns as the team’s leading rusher. Meanwhile, Escalera’s interceptions ended Pittsville’s final two possessions of the game, drives in which the Panthers had worked themselves into the red zone but ultimately came away empty handed due to the turnovers.

Both offenses looked unstoppable during portions of the game. Abbotsford’s ground attack racked up 415 yards on 48 carries and the outside run game coupled with a few big plays through the air kept the Panthers in the game. Only one full possession did not end in a touchdown in the first half and both teams ended with over 300 yards of total offense.

From the onset, Abbotsford’s offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage, opening up holes for the numerous Falcon backs to take advantage of. While Castillo was the primary beneficiary of this, Christian Fuentes had a triple-digit-yard game of his own, accumulating 105 yards on 19 touches. Escalera added 51 of his own on six carries and Chase Boller and Irvin Aguilera each had 10 yards rushing.

There were times when Pittsville’s offense looked equally as impressive, but the Falcons defense was able to come up with big plays when they needed to. A key sack by Andres Lopez at the beginning of the second quarter forced the only punt of the game, allowing Abbotsford to take a two touchdown lead on the next drive, and a bend-but-don’t-break effort in the second half got the job done.

Aguilera led the team with nine tackles. Evan Reis and Ashton Hammel were both part of eight tackles themselves.

While the Panthers were able to connect on two big pass plays, one that set up their second touchdown of the first half and the other a half-back pass for Pittsville’s only second half touchdown, the Falcons were able to mitigate the overall efficiency of their foes’ passing attack. Pittsville quarterback Jacob Hardinger finished the game completing just four of his 17 pass attempts and tossing two costly interceptions.

The first was on a desperation fourth down play in the third quarter. After a holding penalty wiped a Panther touchdown off the board, Hardinger tossed one up for grabs into the end zone after the pocket collapsed around him, a pass that Escalera came down with.

The second was even more backbreaking. A 44-yard gain on a wide receiver reverse nearly went for a Panthers’ touchdown, if not for a last second tackle by Evan Reis. However, another penalty backed up Pittsville, forcing them to go to the air. On second and goal from the Abbotsford 22-yard line, Escalera made an excellent break on an errant throw from Hardinger, pulling down his second interception in as many Pittsville possessions and practically sealing the game for the Falcons.

A steady dose of Castillo and Fuentes on the following drive allowed Abbotsford to drain down the clock. The Falcons only completion of the game could not have come at a better time, as Castillo found AJ Brodhagen on a tight end pop-pass that gave the Falcons a key first down, one that gave them the ability to merely kneel and watch the time expire.

The Falcons will have home field advantage in their first game of the playoffs, as they are set to host the Cadott Hornets this Friday, Oct. 20. Cadott holds a 4-5 record, though they are 4-1 over their last five games. The only opponent the two teams had in common this season was Pittsville, who Cadott fell to 40-26 in the second week of the season. Hornets running back Easton Goodman has nearly 1,300 yards on the ground this season, picking up over 300 in Cadott’s final game of the season, a 36-6 win over Colfax.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.