Our Santa Fe Christian Eagles football team won their season opener against the D2 Valley Center Jaguars on Friday night by a score of 38-21. The game was played in Valley Center on a cooler than expected evening.
The offense took control early in the game with a 7-play, 77‑yard drive capped off by a 14‑yard touchdown run by Cooper Whitton (Sr). On the drive, Thomas Greupner (Sr) was 2 for 2 passing the ball, with Zack Marshall (Jr) on the receiving end of both passes. Luca Torti (Sr) and Brett Koopman (Jr) had strong runs on the drive. The offensive line – Tim Deveau (Sr), Evan Bennett (Sr), Jacob Albrecht (Sr), Joey Olmore (Sr) and Ben Coons (Sr) – dominated the Jaguars on the opening drive. The opening drive was a harbinger of things to come.
On the defensive side of the ball, things looked just as good. The defense caused three turnovers – 2 interceptions and one fumble recovery. The ever-stealthy Kevin Olah (So.) had one interception that he returned for 45 yards (almost a pick six). It is almost like Kevin baits quarterbacks and then goes in for the kill when the quarterback takes the bait. Zack Marshall also had an interception. The defense shut down Valley Center’s passing game allowing only 103 yards of passing offense for the Jags.
Dante Rotchford (Sr) led the team in solo tackles with 7, followed by Brendon DeBont (Sr) with 6 solo tackles. Dante also added 5 assisted tackles and 2 quarterback sacks. Luca Torti had 2 solo tackles and 7 assisted tackles and was a physical presence all night. Cooper Whitton seemed to be in the backfield harassing the Jaguars’ quarterbacks from the very start of the game causing 5 hurried passes.
On the offensive side of the ball, Thomas Greupner was 6 of 11 passing. In perhaps one of the longest passes in SFC history (we are still checking on this), Greupner found Cooper Whitton along the left sideline for an 83-yard strike. After making the catch, Whitton juked a couple of Jaguars and took it to the house.
For special teams, Coach Wallace opened the second half with a “potentially risky” onside kick. Colton Lehberg’s (Sr) kick took the right bounce at the right time going directly over the head of a Jaguar player and into the waiting hands of Kevin Olah. At little “razzle dazzle” by coach Wallace that led to a short touchdown drive to start the half which set the tone for the balance of the game. Lehberg also added a 30‑yard field goal, his first for SFC.
Overall, a fantastic start to the season. The following are the “Talon Shoutouts” for the game in no particular order:
Cooper Whitton (146 yards, 3 TDs, 5 QB hurries).
Thomas Greupner (178 yards, 2 TDs)
Dante Rotchford (12 total tackles and 2 QB sacks)
Kevin Olah (1 interception, 1 onside kick recovery, 3 passes defended, and 29 yards on offense)
The entire offensive and defense lines who dominated both lines of scrimmage all night
The Nest traveled well and was rocking it all through the game.
On a somber note, our prayers go out to Brett Koopman who was injured on the opening drive. The team, the coaches, the students, the families, and the entire SFC community are with you Brett. Get well soon.
Next up for the Eagles - the Fallbrook Warriors. The game is at Fallbrook this Friday at 7:00pm. Come out and support the Team.
GO EAGLES!