Cavallari, tough 'D' keep Falcons on course

Derek Burdick (top) and Chris Cavallari (right) were key performers on defense and offense, respectively, to lead the Falcons to a lopsided Homecoming victory last week.

Running back Chris Cavallari carried the offense with one of the most productive nights in Coudersport football history, while the Falcon defense pitched another shutout, thrilling a homecoming crowd with a 24-0 win over Johnsonburg.

The win keeps the Falcons (7-0) on course toward another perfect regular season, following the same path that led to a berth in Pennsylvania's Final Four in 2005, Coudersport's most successful season ever.

Cavallari ran 76 yards down the sideline for the game's first touchdown just before halftime. He tacked on TD runs of 33 and two yards, finishing with a gaudy 260 yards on 27 carries.

As for the Falcon defense, this quote from Johnsonburg Coach Tom Launer said it all: "I threw my entire playbook at them and they stopped everything; we just couldn't find anything that would work."

Head Coach Paul Simcoe and Defensive Coordinator Tom Russell devised a scheme to contain quarterback Calvin Grumley, a gifted athlete who carried the ball on all but six of the Rams' 32 rushing attempts. The Purple People-Eaters sacked Grumley nine times.

He finished with negative 11 yards. Isaac Cary and Kirk Duffee were each credited with 10 tackles.

When Grumley went to the air, the Falcons picked off four aerials. Derek Burdick had two picks; Drew Levavasseur and Colton Corey one apiece.

Backs against the wall Coudersport dodged the bullet when the Rams set up inside the Falcon 10 on a fumbled punt return. Coudy's defense rose to the occasion and Grumley's field goal attempt three plays into the second period missed the mark.

Burdick's interceptions came on Johnsonburg's next two possessions, but the hosts continued to struggle offensively. With less than two minutes left in the half, Adam Foust and Carin Knight led a flock of Falcons who tracked down Grumley in his own endzone for a safety.

Following the ensuing free kick, Cavallari wedged between a pair of blockers, slipped around left end and took off on a 76-yard touchdown gallop. The extra point kick failed, freezing the halftime score at 8-0.

After the break, quarterback Justen Kinder teamed up with Logan Hathaway on a big third-down conversion, setting up Cavallari's 33- yard TD gallop. Kinder hit Cowburn for the PAT.

Coudersport's defense kept the Rams in check and Cavallari's third touchdown run capped a 10-play drive that drained the clock and put the game on ice.

"We played pretty tough against a good team tonight," Simcoe said after the game. "Defensively, in the first quarter especially, our kids saved us. Then, after we got our offense going, we had the upper hand."

Kane comes to town next Friday for Senior Night (7:00 p.m.). Then all eyes will be on CARP Field the following weekend when the Falcons host the South Division champion, most likely Curwensville, in the Allegheny Mountain League title game.

The PIAA District 9 playoffs follow the next weekend, with Coudersport back in the friendly confines of CARP as host of a first-round game.