The Pilot News - Falcons have the momentum

“The last two years we’ve started 0-2, and give credit to the guys because they’ve hung in there while we’ve adjusted and gotten things turned around,” said Falcons football head coach Justin Bogunia. “It makes me feel a whole lot better about the last two years. We’ve got a big task ahead of us, and we all know that.
“It’s nice to come out on your first game when you see guys mix it up together. It’s nice when everything you’ve worked on — all the Xs and Os and walking through and hitting bags — it all just fits together.”
A big part of the reason for Glenn’s revamped play is the increased savvy of second-year senior quarterback Chris Patton.
After a hiccup for an interception on his opening pass last week, the 5-foot-6 signal caller went 3 for 4 in connecting with receivers, throwing for 41 yards and two touchdowns, including a 32-yard bomb to 6-3 wide receiver Michael Fansler in the second stanza. The former running back also showed off his rushing pedigree with a 5-yard sneak into the end zone for Glenn’s third score of the night.
“Chris has worked a lot on his passing,” said Bogunia. “He’ll be the first one to joke about his height. He knows and understands where he needs to work on his weaknesses, and he worked a lot in the offseason to improve that. He’s a way better passer this year.”
When he wasn’t making the play himself, Patton was able to rely on three solid backs in Ben Walbert, Tyler Thornton and Jacob Marek, who combined for better than 300 yards rushing last week behind a strong offensive line that calmed some of Bogunia’s preseason doubts. Under Patton’s leadership and with the support of the Falcons line, Glenn can balance its touches between several rushers and mix it up in the air as well.
“Last year we were running the offense, it was new to (Patton),” Bogunia said. “We’ve got some skilled guys coming back, this is their second year, and you can tell it’s faster. When you’ve got a little doubt, it’s a little slower, the quarterback is a little slower, things don’t run as smooth. This year it’s a lot smoother and a lot faster.”
Glenn’s defense also seems to be running smoothly this year. Last Friday, the Falcons held Judson to 112 yards on the ground and just 10 first downs. Glenn’s secondary held the Bluejays to a 4-of-14 aerial performance, and Fansler picked off a pass. The Falcon defensive unit also forced a fumble for a turnover on Judson’s opening drive, a positive sign for tonight’s match-up as Jimtown let a 7-7 tie slip last week after coughing up a pair of fumbles in the second half.
“I had questions about (our defense),” Bogunia said. “Especially early on I thought our defense came out hitting. We caused a fumble, then stopped them, and that was nice to see.”
As Glenn is settling into its new offense in offensive coordinator Damon Groves’ second full season with the program, Jimtown seems possibly to be adjusting in Mike Campbell’s first season as head coach, following the retirement of 28-year skipper Bill Sharpe, who posted an outstanding 288-64 record as head coach of the Jimmies, leading the team to four state championships. Although Jimtown football is under new management, Bogunia still expects a disciplined, well-oiled team in tonight’s match-up, and he knows his players will need to mind all the details if they want to win.
“Hopefully we get better at those little things because Jimtown will be cutting us down, and they’re awfully good at finding our weaknesses,” he said. “They’re going to be pretty good this year. Big and physical.”