About 3,500 Falcon fans were on their feet cheering at the Falcon High School football team’s first postseason game since 1992 – and the first-ever state championship game. Falcon School District 20 Stadium hosted the Class 3A state championship football game Dec. 1 between Falcon – 13-0 – and the Berthoud Spartans – 11-2.Berthoud scored on its opening possession, after a seven-play drive, when quarterback Jordan Major ran the ball eight yards for a touchdown. Troy Diffendaffer kicked the extra point, giving the Spartans a 7-0 lead.In the second quarter, Falcon took the lead by 10 points after a 37-yard field goal by Raul Franco and an interception by senior Zach Roscoe, who returned the ball 56 yards. One play later, senior running back Keenen Ballage scored a touchdown. It looked like Falcon would go into the locker room with a 10-7 lead until the last minute of the half when Falcon quarterback Cade Schulze threw a pass to Matt DeGeorge. The ball wobbled in DeGeorge’s hands as a Spartan defender tackled him. Falcon coaches and players thought it was an incomplete pass, but the referee ruled it a fumbled catch and a recovery by Berthoud. With only seconds on the clock, Berthoud’s quarterback threw a pass to Ty Duncan, who made an end zone leap for a perfect catch. Berthoud led at halftime 14-10.The third quarter saw plenty of action but no points for either team. In the fourth quarter, Franco made a 26-yard field goal for Falcon, bringing the first-seed within a point of tying the game. However, the Spartans had other ideas. Berthoud answered with a 60-yard drive that resulted in a 24-yard touchdown run by junior Bryce Munoz. The extra point was good, giving Berthoud a 21-13 lead and the last score of the game. Berthoud beat the undefeated Falcons and clinched its first Class 3A state football championship title.”I am so excited for our town, our community and our players, I can’t even describe it,” said Coach Dan McGinn.Falcon coach Jason Catron thanked the fans and praised the team. “I think back to the positives. We were just glad we were here,” Catron said. “A lot of emotion is coming out and a lot of hearts are being broken. Still, we have something to put in our trophy room,”From the NFH: You are winners in our eyes. Congratulations on a super season!
