Freedom runs away from San Leandro

by Michael Dixon Thepress.Net

San Leandro strong safety Finau Mataafa cant snag Freedom wide receiver Devontae Young during his 44-yard catch-and-run. The Falcons defeated the Pirates 43-6 on Sept. 14. Photo by Kyndl Buzas

Senior Darrell Daniels scored three touchdowns, including a 90-yard kickoff return to open the game, and junior running back Joe Mixon added three of his own to spearhead a Falcons 43-6 victory over San Leandro on Sept. 14.

I saw a big hole, Daniels said of the opening kickoff return. Everybody hit their blocks. I just hit the hole and saw daylight. We came to play as a team. Working week-by-week, day by day, were going to put up numbers like that every week.

A 7-0 lead in the games first 15 seconds is an electrifying start, but Freedom head coach Kevin Hartwig was nervous: the Falcons losses to Amador Valley and Franklin were marked by early TDs. Its good, but its hard, Hartwig said. In a way, its a letdown and it got us in two games. Tonight, we didnt do that. Its a learning process.

The Falcons few mistakes Friday didnt hurt them. On a point after touchdown, senior quarterback Dante Mayes muffed a snap but managed to beat the defense to the goal line for a two-point conversion. Later, Freedom jumped offside on the extra-point attempt following San Leandros only touchdown. The penalty gave the Pirates the idea to go for two, but the Falcons stuffed them.

Mixon and Daniels led the Falcons all night. Mixon carried the ball 11 times for 153 yards; Daniels three times for 97 yards to augment three catches for 45 yards plus that 90-yard kickoff return.

While a 2-2 start isnt what the Falcons envisioned before the season started, theyre confident about the rest of their games. I think were going to finish strong and go 8-2, Mixon said. I know for a fact that were going 8-2. We just have to keep going strong week by week.

Next up for Freedom is a trip to Castro Valley to take on the 2-2 Trojans, which downed Liberty 40-14 on Friday and then its on to Bay Valley Athletic League competition.

The night was just as successful for the Freedom JV squad, which beat San Leandro 53-12.

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Freedom runs away from San Leandro