The Freshman team was pumped. Despite having their number one tailback and number one receiver in street clothes due to the necessary call of duty to the Varsity team, the rest of the team was ready to play some ball. Galveston started the attack using a wishbone offense that had the Falcon defense on their heels. Having never seen the wishbone in game play, and with little preparation time for a new type of offense, the Falcon Defense allowed Galveston to march down the field and start the game with a touchdown and a two point conversion to lead the Falcons 8-0. 

On the first offensive drive, the Falcons were looking like they were also ready to play ball. After a solid  kick-off return by Elrick Jones, the Falcon offense began to do their own march down the field. However, the drive was cut short when a dropped pass and then a questionable 4th down spot by the referees forced the turnover on downs that put the Tornado offense back on the field.

The Tornadoes were moving the ball again. The Tornado freshman QB was faking out more than the linebackers. Even the fans were having trouble determining who had the ball. The Tornadoes were averaging about 9 yards a carry. The frustration of the defense was showing. How could it not? These kids have been a Freshman version of the 2000 Ravens' defense all season. No one had moved the ball on them like the Tornadoes had in the first half of play. The Tornadoes led at halftime 22-0.

The Falcons appeared stunned on defense, and the offense was plagued with errors. This was not a Falcon game we had seen from the Freshmen all year.

Was it because the #1 Tailback, wide receiver and safety were gone? Was it the Wishbone?

Fans could only speculate at this point.

There is a television commercial we all see every Sunday. The 350 lb lineman is squatting about 400 lbs. We see the determination in his face as well as the tremble of every muscle fiber. The screen simply says, "The biggest muscle in the NFL is". We all saw the answer Thursday night and it had nothing to do with NFL. It had to do with the largest muscle on the Freshman Falcons team, the Heart.

Coaches spent their halftime talk giving  instruction to the defense.

Although the Tornadoes were able to score again in the 3rd quarter and go up 28-0, the Freshman Falcons were showing signs of life.

When the Falcon offense took the field, there was a new star showing on the horizon of the back field. His number was 19. Ryan Nisbett was not only starting to pop some tops on defense, but he was running the ball well. Showing good speed and a real strong capability to cut, this kid was destined to get some first downs. The running of Ryan opened up the air attack for QB T.J. Jordan. The Falcons showed a quick paced, no huddle offense and a spread formation that the Falcon fans had been waiting for.

The stage was set, and the Falcons looked like a new team. After the first TD run by Jamie McMurchy, the Falcons recovered an on-side kick. The Falcons again moved the ball down the field and were well positioned on the Tornadoes' 18 yard line with a 2nd and 8. When the snap flew over T.J.'s head, he chased the ball down and made what appeared to be a first down.

A holding call on the play put the Falcons in a third and long situation. With an incompletion on third down, the Falcons were faced with 4th and very long. T.J. was flushed out of the pocket to the right and launched a beautiful 45 yard spiral to a streaking Elrick Jones who made a beautiful play to take the Falcons to 13 pts and time left on the clock.

The Falcon defense continued their enthusiasm and hard hits by Ryan Johnson, and Ryan Nisbett eventually jarred the ball loose on the Falcon 20. There was a Cinderella story in the making.

The Falcons again moved the ball on the Tornado defense with solid running by Ryan Nisbett and some good fullback first downs by Jamie McMurchy. But it was T.J. Jordan to Dan Green for 50 yards that put the Falcons in scoring position with only a few minutes left on the clock.

T.J. laid out to get the ball in the end-zone. T.J. rolled right and hit Dan for the critical two point conversion.

The hope for a "W" was still on the minds of these kids.

With one minute and forty seconds on the clock and Clear Lake down 28-21, everyone knew what was coming-- the onside kick. The kick was perfect, heading right between two front Tornado linemen. Driving through the line like a bolt of lightning came Adam Wolfe . Captured on the video cameras, and clearly apparent to the fans, Adam had possession of the football, and was down. The typical pileup ensued, and when it was broken up, the Galveston Golden Tornadoes had the ball. The Tors were able to run out the clock and end the game 28-21.

Later we found out that Adam Wolfe, the highly regarded tailback for the Freshman Light team, was severely injured on that play. Adam was taken to the Clear Lake Hospital where he was treated for broken ribs and a ruptured spleen. This freak accident seems surreal to those of us who have played and spent time with Adam over the years. Adam is so warm hearted and funny, and able to achieve without ever seeming like he has to try too hard. He has a natural smile and a laid back personality that kids flock to and adults enjoy.

While Adam is recovering, may our hearts, prayers and thoughts go out to him and his family, and just as importantly, our efforts. I hope that everyone who gets this story and who has enjoyed reading the Freshman Falcons summaries I have provided thus far this season, reach out at this time to Adam and his family. The Falcon Quarterback Club will be organizing meals to be delivered to Adam's family. If you would like to help out in any way with this effort, please e-mail Carol Jordan at cjordan@ccisd.net or call 281-486-0503 and leave a message with your name and number. Teammates, coaches, friends, classmates, and parents have already been by Clear Lake Hospital to wish Adam well. I know how much it must mean to him.

My game ball goes to the one that recovered the last onside kick, Adam Wolfe.