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Sabres end Falcons’ season

Lopsided 48-7 all-Park gridiron matchup sets Salisbury up with bye week

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It was a one-sided affair between two bitter rivals.
The Salisbury Sabres senior football team dominated the winless Bev Facey Falcons from the opening kickoff, eventually coming away with a 48-7 victory at the Emerald Hills Sports Pavilion on Friday, Oct. 19.
Following a tough loss to the top-ranked Harry Ainlay Titans last week, the Sabres (6-1) were able to bounce back and close out Tier 1 regular season play with a strong performance, while the rebuilding Falcons (0-7) finished the year without a win.
“I thought our kids came out and did what they needed to do,” said Sabres head coach Cam Fraser, adding that he was impressed with how well Facey’s young team competed.
“It was a good test for us to see how we’d react in an emotional game against a rival.
“I thought we did a much better job controlling our emotions, staying at an even keel, and executing this week.”
Salisbury running back Hunter Gibennus led the Sabre’s offensive attack with 152 yards rushing and two scores, while quarterback Kasten Wayken completed 14 of 22 passes for 262 yards and three additional touchdowns.
“I was really impressed with Hunter this game — he bounced back (from last week) and did a wonderful job running the football,” Fraser said.
“He really carried the load for us on the ground.”
Sabres wide receiver Jerel Brown opened the scoring with an 88-yard catch and run in the first quarter, while Tanner Shaw and Travis Heggart each hauled in a TD catch later in the game.
“Our ability to get the ball into everybody’s hands is an important part of our game,” Fraser said. “We had six different guys carry the ball and six different guys catch a pass.”

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Big Red receiver Travis Heggart gets taken down after the first-yard marker in a pummelling of the Bev Facey Falcons by the Salisbury Sabres on Friday.Photo courtesy Connie Nichol
Big Red receiver Travis Heggart gets taken down after the first-yard marker in a pummelling of the Bev Facey Falcons by the Salisbury Sabres on Friday.Photo courtesy Connie Nichol

Defensively, Fraser continued, the Sabres were led by their linebacking core of Blake Munn, Kole Watson and Jacob Taylor.
“Jake probably had the biggest highlight out of the three this week with a field goal block and return for a 100-yard touchdown to make it 17-0,” he explained.
“I thought that was a real turning point in the game — and a great play by him.”
Ranked sixth in the province heading into playoffs, the Sabres will now enjoy a first-round bye, as they await the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Austin O’Brien and Bellerose on Friday, Oct 26.
“Obviously, we have played AOB and Bellerose many times in the past — and both teams have eliminated us before,” Fraser said, noting last year’s loss to Bellerose in the semi-final.
“They’re good programs and we’ll definitely have to prepare for whoever wins.”
In the meantime, Fraser said, the team will focus on getting healthy and continuing to develop their mental toughness.
“It’s a grind playing in the Carr Conference, so we have a few nagging injuries,” he added, noting he’s hopeful that everyone will return in time for playoffs.
Following their bye, the Sabres will take on either AOB or Bellerose in the Tier 1 semi-finals at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2 at Emerald Hills in Sherwood Park.
zmueller@postmedia.com
twitter.com/ZachMueller37

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Salisbury Sabres slotback Kolby Hurford sprints for a first down in an all-Park battle against the Bev Facey Falcons, who fell 48-7 in the contest at Emerald Hills on Oct. 19.Photo courtesy Connie Nichol
Salisbury Sabres slotback Kolby Hurford sprints for a first down in an all-Park battle against the Bev Facey Falcons, who fell 48-7 in the contest at Emerald Hills on Oct. 19.Photo courtesy Connie Nichol
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