After starting the season with a 0-2 record, I was ready to write the FALCONS off as another lost team destined to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. In their second defeat of the season the BIRDS lost a close game to the 49ERS (20-13) that led the FALCONS to doing some soul-searching for their team identity. Since then they have gotten their act together in a big way.

In a rematch against the NINERS, the FALCONS redeemed themselves with a dominating 18-0 win. Apparently, the competitive edge that the NINERS should have had over the FALCONS disintegrated after the players wore themselves out running around while they were waiting for their last game of the day.  Their performance was so bad that Coach Muti sarcastically said, “We forfeit.”

Conversely, the FALCONS were very energetic on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Quarterback Robert Fulton succeeded at spreading the wealth to all of his receivers. Specifically, the signal-caller demonstrated the chemistry that he has with WR Tre “Lil Poteat.” Lil Poteat took a screen pass from Fulton the distance for a scintillating score. In addition to completing passes through the air, the FALCONS excelled at establishing the run. Lil Poteat, Michael Fleck, and Josihya Strait all picked up big yardage on their rush attempts.

In addition to completing passes through the air, the FALCONS excelled at establishing the run. Lil Poteat, Michael Fleck, and Josihya Strait all picked up big yardage on their rush attempts.

Defensively, the BIRDS demonstrated a commitment to pulling flags immediately after catches were made. In particular, Curtis Brown led the team in tackles. His defensive teammates fed off of Brown’s energy and ended up pulling a lot of flags on third downs. 

Ultimately, the FALCONS won more than just a game against the NINERS. They put the rest of the Lower Division on notice that if any team sleeps on the BIRDS, the sleeper team will put their championship aspirations to bed.