Falcons take Spartans with seconds on the clock

sacked »Dai Dai McFadden gets taken down with minutes on the clock. The Falcons ended up winning 38-35.

over his head »La Cañada’s David Miller reaches for the sky but can’t block the Falcon pass.

Photos by Greg COOK unsuccesful reach » Kyle Cota pushes aside La Cañada’s Jeff Barker during the contest between the Falcons and the Spartans on Friday night. — unsuccessful reach » Kyle Cota pushes aside La Cañada’s Jeff Barker during the contest between the Falcons and the Spartans on Friday night.

checking his options »Falcon Dai Dai McFadden dazzled despite a fumble on the kick off.

Despite it raining – raining ref’s flags that is – onto the field on Friday evening, the CV Falcons were able to mark a notch on the ‘win’ side of their helmet after taking on the La Cañada Spartans at their home field. CV fans, who were still reeling over the previous week’s contest against the Golden Knights, soon had their attention drawn to the Spartans field where the action was riveting, if not interrupted.

The Falcons had to skirt not only the Spartans, but penalties that were abundantly handed out resulting in three turnovers that threatened CV’s ultimate 38-35 victory.

Cota passed for 166 yards for two scores then ran for another 44 and captured two TDs.

Dai Dai McFadden dazzled after receiving a 75-yard pass from Cota for the touchdown. Not yet done, McFadden tore down the field after a 35-yard pass bringing the score to 21-7 at the half, CV.

But it was the Falcons’ confidence that was almost their undoing as an energized La Cañada reclaimed their field. They grabbed 21 points in quick succession, the first coming in a 31-yard scoring pass from Spartan Ricky Moore. Then a fumble on the kick off by McFadden had the Falcons sputtering after the Spartans took the board 28-21.

Pessy helped bring the team back to life, returning the kickoff 44 yards and minutes later gobbled 33 yards for a touchdown to tie.

The Spartans weren’t done yet, however, blocking a CV third down kick and ultimately scoring.

But the Falcons had some life still left in them with Cota completing a critical third and long pass play, with Pessy rushing 46 yards to tie.

After trading possessions, the Falcons used up all but 69 seconds on the game clock, setting up kicker Arian Abghari for a game clinching 27 yard field goal. The Spartans had one more opportunity to pull out a victory, but on fourth down with only seconds to go, Sam Campbell sacked Moore to bring the contest to its conclusion.