Falcons Fall in Heart-breaking Fashion to Colonials

For the first three and a half quarters, nothing appeared to be in the way of Monmouth Regional's (0-2) first win of the 2011 campaign.

Even when starting quarterback Jeff Farrah left the game on a stretcher late in the second quarter, the Falcons seemed poised, and were ready to knock off the defending Central Jersey Group III champions.

Then, it all fell apart.

The Falcons surrendered two touchdowns in the final 2:16 to Freehold Boro (1-1), squandering the 7-0 lead they held all game long, in a 14-7 loss, Saturday afternoon, at Freehold Boro High School.

"It's the worst way to lose, but you're talking about a team that lost 36-0 to Carteret last week," Monmouth Regional head coach Jason Morrell said. "So when you take the returning group champions down to the wire, and keep swinging with them, that's a pretty amazing feat for these kids."

The Falcons took the 7-0 advantage mid-way through the second quarter when Farrah punched the ball in from two yards out. The play was set up when Farrah hit wide reciever Mike Hallowich for a 72-yard catch that placed Monmouth Regional on the Colonials' 20-yard line.

Farrah completed both of his pass attempts -- also connecting with Joe Suarez -- for a total of 77 yards before a brutal injury took him out of the game.

Late in the second quarter, Farrah was dragged to the ground for the Colonials' second consecutive sack. Farrah did not get up, however, and remained on the field for nearly 20 minutes, before he was properly placed on a stretcher, and an ambulance took him to the hospital.

The team was unaware of Farrah's status immediatley after the game, Morrell said.

"He is an unbelievable athlete," Morrell said of Farrah, "Jeff's ability is through the roof and he will come back from this injury and achieve it.

"That's what this sport is all about, that's what makes this sport so sadly painful and unbelievable at the same time. You put kids up against adversity, and they have to rise to the challenge."

The Falcons defense was the focal point all game long, forcing six turnovers and keeping themselves in the lead throughout the day.

"Without a doubt," Morrell said about being proud of his defense, "And you're talking about 80% of these kids who have never played football before. For them to come together as a unit and produce the way they did is something the entire Monmouth Regional football population needs to be proud of."

The Falcons offense was put in tremendous field position twice in the first half, but they were unable to capitalize on both oppurtunities.

The Falcons took over their second offensive possession on the Colonials' 18 yard line, but Monmouth Regional was stuck in reverse, eventually punting from the Freehold Boro 31-yard line.

Later in the second quarter, Monmouth Regional was given great field position when Lyndell Wilson sacked Colonials' quarterback Kevin Smith, forcing a fumble. The Falcons recovered the fumble and took over at the Colonials' 27-yard line.

After a 14-yard run by Johnny Radcliffe, which planted the Falcons at the 8-yard line, a holding penalty, followed by back-to-back sacks, forced Monmouth Regional to punt from the Freehold 41-yard line.

The Falcons held their 7-point lead until Jahree Whiting tied the game with a one-yard touchdown run with 2:16 left.

After a three-and-out by Monmouth Regional, Smith connected with wide-out Dan Kvedaras for a 58-yard touchdown strike, giving the Colonials' the 14-7 lead with 50 seconds remaining.

The Falcons will look for their first win of the season on Friday, Sept. 24, when they host Colts Neck.