Armstrong football earned a statement win in the latest Battle of the Birds last week, beating Cooper on the road for the first time in over a decade to improve to 3-0 this season, while the Hawks adjusted to 2-1.
Armstrong senior running back Kevon Johnson was the star of the show, ending the night with four touchdowns and 191 rushing yards from 25 attempts. He is now on 11 touchdowns from three games this season as of Sept. 16.
The Falcons’ scoring started early after recovering a fumble at the Cooper 16 yard line during the second play of the game. Johnson completed a 16 yard carry for the touchdown, with an extra point by Luke Weisjahn to boot.
Cooper had moments of promise in the following drive, including some good work from Sema’j Young and Amari Davison. Beckham Van Voorst threw a huge reception to Christian Lloyd for 45 yards, but a turnover on downs in the red zone got Armstrong back in the driver’s seat. Emmanuel Karmo, Maceo Finney, and Rod’yae Ingram put in work to hold back the visitors’ running game, but the Falcons broke through with a 40 yard carry for quarterback Dawson Franke. Armstrong led 14-0 at the end of the quarter, though a big reception from Young set up the second quarter well for Cooper.
The Hawks got into the red zone and quickly found a touchdown from Karmo, rushing it in for a gain of five. Richard Baysah hit the extra point and a comeback seemed possible in New Hope. That comeback became a reality for the time being later in the quarter when Cooper, having survived a fourth down due to a good run by Randy Smythe, scored on a 17-yard reception by Young, a good extra point kick made it 14-14.
Armstrong, stalled by penalties and a big tackle for Cooper’s Jordan Dalton, made headway with a reception by Eli Kuempel. Reaching the red zone with a carry by Franke, the Falcons left to Johnson to make a one-yard run and retake the lead at 21-14. Forcing Cooper to punt the following drive, and then making the most of a mishandled punt, Armstrong were able to recreate the same situation minutes later and Johnson once again scored on a one-yard gain.
Armstrong had one more touchdown in them before halftime, ran in by Franke for one yard in a cleverly executed sneak. While both teams had had big moments, it was Armstrong that led 35-14 at halftime. The Falcons had found any and every gap possible in the first half, punishing even the smallest errors. Cooper’s offense had looked generally strong, but the Hawks had few answers for Johnson’s rushing.
Falcons head coach Jack Negen was excited with the progress his defense has made this season despite entering the fall with new leadership and without a long list of talented players from the class of 2024. The Falcons have allowed just 36 points in three games.
“[Defensively] we’re doing great. Our new defensive coordinator is doing a spectacular job. Those guys are binding together,” he said. “We stopped the run well tonight. We knew they were a big play team. There’s work to do in the back half, but our guys responded well. The thing I’m happiest about is seeing that our young guys are ready to play physical.”
Negen added that he was happy with the work the offense, now on 135 points in three games, was doing. He noted the absence of Gideon Breker, who was a star receiver last season and has faced early-game injuries in the Falcons’ opener against St. Francis and Friday against Cooper.
“The offense has done well. I feel bad because one of our best guys, Gideon, comes back tonight [from a hamstring injury] and catches his ankle. He’s a big part of our deal, so for our kids respond the way they have without a key part in our deal is pretty good. We’re going to work on getting Gideon back, he’s our leading receiver from last year and he’s missed. But guys are stepping up and that’s great.”
Armstrong ensured victory with two more touchdowns in the second half. Kuempel caught a reception in the third to put the cherry on top of a big game on his part, while Johnson ran in a blistering 84-yard carry to get Armstrong to 48 points, 49 with 19’s final extra point.
Cooper did not stop pushing despite the mounting challenge and the Hawks did score a final touchdown in the fourth quarter with a 31-yard reception by Young to make it 49-21 after the extra point, the night’s final score.
Franke ended the night with 10 completed passes for Armstrong, totaling at 106 yards and one touchdown. He showcased another side of his game, however, with two rushing touchdowns and 80 rushing yards as well. Jackson Wylie led Armstrong defensively with nine total tackles, while Avery Oseth had six and both Noah Gorgos and Cal Pilon were tied at five each.
Armstrong will return home the following week, hosting Cretin-Derham Hall in a conference game Friday, Sept. 20.
Cooper return to the road the following week, traveling to St. Louis Park Friday, Sept. 20.
Local News
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