Football: Fallon shuts down Panthers in 28-0 win

A stifling defense and rejuvenated offense spelled doom Friday for visiting North Valleys.

After a slow first-quarter against the Panthers in a non-league football game at the Edward Arciniega Athletic Complex, the Greenwave scored late in the second quarter and broke open the game in the second half to shut out their former Northern 3A rivals, 28-0.

Fallon improves to 1-1 and will have a bye this week before traveling to Damonte Ranch on Sept. 6 and then the following week to South Tahoe on Sept. 13. Northern 3A powerhouse Truckee ripped visiting Damonte on Friday, 36-14.

First-year Fallon coach Calvin Connors was all smiles after the game.

“We were not going to let one game define us,” Connors said of the 38-7 opening loss to Reed the week before. “We wanted to make sure the assignments were sound and the kids had a great week of practice. This was the best week we’ve had for all of the fall camp.”

While the story to Friday’s game was the play of junior running back Carson Melendy and his four touchdowns, several chapters go to the Greenwave defense.

North Valleys was held to 149 yards in total offense with only 67 rushing yards coming on the new Greenwave all-weather turf. Fallon pressured Panthers quarterback Mikole Almond, who completed 7 of 18 passes for 82 yards to four receivers.

“We felt good coming into this game, but it was a little ugly in the first half,” Connors said. “But we talked about the storm, and the peaks and valleys of the game. I am really happy we came out to make the plays.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

While most of the first half evolved into a see-saw battle, Fallon finally put together a drive in the final 2 minutes to score. North Valleys punted with 1:41 left in the first half, and Melendy scooped up the kick and returned it to the Greenwave 48.

In a wild series of downs which included roughing the passer and pass interference against North Valleys, Melendy scored 28 seconds before halftime, and quarterback Matthew Bird drilled the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

“Carson had that fumble in the first half, but we had confidence in him,” Connors said. “He found the end zone for the other touchdowns.”

Bird knew Fallon had the momentum after the first touchdown.

“Our defense did great and the turning point we had at the end of the first half gave us the momentum to shut them out,” he said.

The quality of play didn’t improve for North Valleys on the ensuing kickoff, taking the ball deep on their own 21-yard line and sputtering before time ran out.

The Panthers took the second-half kickoff, but the defense held North Valleys to four yards. The Panthers punted on fourth down, and the ball rolled out of bounds on the Fallon 43.

The Wave struggled on offense, moving only 12 yards before punting. The Panthers’ defense also derailed the Greenwave’s second offensive series of the second half, forcing Fallon to punt from its 8-yard line.

North Valleys took possession at midfield and in four plays moved to the Fallon 28-yard line on Almond’s 19-yard pass to Daniel Velasquez. On a third and 4 from the Fallon 22, North Valleys fumbled into Melendy's waiting hand, and the Fallon junior sped along the sideline in front of the North Valleys bench and outraced the secondary for a 78-yard touchdown.

Melendy said he was surprised, figuring North Valleys end would fall to the ground.

“Our defensive end came over the top and swatted it (the ball) down into my bread basket,” said a grinning Melendy.

Bird’s kick gave Fallon a 14-0 lead with 2:03 left in the quarter.

DEFENSE THE DIFFERENCE

The Fallon defense gave North Valleys fits for the remainder of the game.

After the ensuing kickoff, the Panthers sputtered in seven plays as Fallon’s Chad Agaman batted down Almond’s pass attempt. The Panthers were forced to punt with the ball rolling to the Fallon 20 with 11:40 left in the game.

The Greenwave put together an 11-play drive beginning on its 36-yard line and rotated its plays with Melendy and running back Urian Anaya. On a second and 7 from the Panthers’ 17-yard line, Melendy took the ball, lowered his head, changed direction and faked out the defense and raced down the middle for Fallon’s third touchdown.

Bird’s extra point gave Fallon a 21-0 lead with 5:35 left.

Melendy credits the offensive line for opening the holes for him.

“We have a good O line,” he said.

The Fallon defense tightened on the Panthers’ next series of plays, rushing Almond to throw on two of the plays. On a fourth and 3 from the Fallon 47, Almond threw an incomplete pass.

On a second down from the Panthers’ 40, Melendy spilled four tackles and outraced the secondary for Fallon’s fourth touchdown.

The PAT with 3:05 sealed Fallon’s first win of the season after the defense forced North Valleys to punt on a fourth down and 3 from their own 46.

“Trent deBraga has a great football mind,” Connors said of his defensive coordinator. “He does such a fine job of coaching on defense and focusing on the DBs (defensive backs). We were fortunate to come out and shut out a great North Valleys team.”