FALLS CITY – Friday night’s District 16-A Division II showdown between the Falls City Beavers and the Pettus Eagles had major district title implications, as both teams were predicted to be the front runners early in the season. Despite both teams opening their seasons with losses, the game still lived up to the hype as both teams put on a showcase of big plays and made the most of their chances. When all was said and done, however, the Falls City Beavers stood tall as they utilized their offensive versatility to claim a close 39-33 victory. Falls City head coach Mark Kirchhoff was unavailable for comment as of press time.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Beavers and Eagles began to show their capabilities. Pettus drew first blood in the contest with 10:59 to go in the second quarter as senior running back Hunter Tomlin, who also plays defensive back, picked off a pass thrown by Falls City junior quarterback Cameron Soto and returned it 72 yards for the Eagles’ only score of the first half. Senior quarterback Ryan Beck kicked the PAT to make it 7-0 in Pettus’ favor. Just ten seconds later, on the ensuing kickoff, junior running back and kick returner Phillip Lyssy returned the kick 92 yards for the Beavers’ first score of the night. Senior Scott Lyssy’s extra point evened things up at 7-7. Later in the quarter, with 6:51 left, Soto connected with senior running back Tyler Wiatrek on a 7-yard touchdown pass to give the Beavers the lead, with Lyssy’s kick making it 14-7. The first half’s final touchdown came with 1:40 left as Wiatrek punched it in on a 3-yard run. Lyssy’s extra point was good, putting the lead at 21-7 at halftime.

In the second half, the scoring and big plays came in droves. Late in the third quarter, with 2:47 on the clock, Wiatrek scored on a 14-yard run. However, the ensuing PAT failed, putting the lead at 27-7. The Eagles would not let that stop them from getting back in the game as they countered with 1:12 to go on a 2-yard run by Beck. The Eagles’ PAT attempt, however, was blocked, putting the score at 27-13 as the third quarter ended and laying the groundwork for an unpredictable fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, with 9:43 on the clock, Beck scored his second rushing touchdown of the night on a 3-yard run. The two-point conversion failed, however, leaving the score at 27-19. The Beavers responded just 17 seconds later on a 51-yard run by Wiatrek. The kick failed, putting the Beavers’ lead at 33-19. The Eagles soared back with 7:41 left as Beck connected with Tomlin on a 37-yard touchdown pass. The two connected again on the ensuing two-point conversion, putting the score at 33-27. Beck and Tomlin weren’t done, however, as they scored again on a 29-yard pass with 1:21 left. The extra point was no good, however, leaving the score at an even 33-33. The Beavers, not willing to risk overtime, made the most of their last chance as Soto connected with Wiatrek on a 37-yard pass as time expired to end the game with a 39-33 victory for Falls City.

Statistically, the Beavers gained 438 yards of total offense, with 368 rushing and 70 passing. The Eagles, on the other hand, gained 273 yards of total offense, with 45 rushing and 228 passing. Penalties were kept to a minimum as the Beavers were flagged 3 times for 15 total yards and the Eagles were flagged 4 times for 17 total yards.

This week the Beavers will travel to Runge for a cross-county district showdown with the Yellow Jackets. Kickoff in Runge is set for Friday, October 7 at 7:30 PM.