Flowery Branch came within a whisker last week of knocking off Class 4A No. 1-ranked and defending state champion Blessed Trinity. The Falcons just missed on a 2-point conversion pass in overtime in a gut-wrenching 21-20 loss to the Titans.
However, the Falcons looked more than competitive as they outgained the Titans 334-157 on offense. The defense, after surrendering an opening-drive touchdown to the Titans, forced two turnovers on defense and held them scoreless over the final 42 minutes of regulation.
There has been little time, however, to either wallow in the negative vibes or give pats on the back for a yeoman’s job well done. The Falcons turn right around and travel to 2017 Region 7-4A champion and 2017 state runner-up Marist on Friday.
Nothing has been decided region-wide as every team is still alive for playoff berths. Any loss could be crucial. The Falcons cannot afford a late season slump as they also still have rival West Hall and newcomer Denmark to close out the regular season.
But Flowery Branch also looks poised to put together its best season since a quarterfinals run in 2011. Friday Game Night’s Jeff Hart caught up with Falcons coach Ben Hall this week to discuss the near upset and what lies ahead for the quickly-resurgent Falcons.
QUESTION: Coach, thanks for taking some time as you prepare for another huge Region 7-4A contest on Friday. Do you think this group proved to doubters that they are serious state title contenders?
ANSWER: I think so. It’s not something we worried that much about because we felt going in we could compete with them and have a chance to win. Our kids battled for four quarters and made plays and overcame adversity to get back in the game. They gave a tremendous effort. I think more than anything it just gives us more confidence that we can compete at that level.
Q: How long did it take y’all to get over last week? What was the attitude like when you got to practice on Monday?
A: We really kind of put it behind us on Friday in the locker room after the game. Normally on Monday we review the game we just played but we skipped that this week. We all replayed that one in our heads a lot since Friday and really felt we were ready to move ahead to the next opponent, which is another tough one in Marist, so we didn’t want to waste too much time reliving that. I think the kids after the game Friday felt they could beat (Blessed Trinity) and that really helped us be able to quickly move forward to this week.
Q: Using the eye-test, and talking with others around the area, most people I talked to felt y’all looked the better team last week. What did you see on film, both positive and negative, to confirm or deny that assessment?
A: Not so much on the film, I really think the biggest positive we got out of that game was just the confidence gained about ourselves. That was a true playoff team and a true playoff atmosphere and for us to be able to play like we did in that game against that caliber opponent is only going to help us as we move forward this year and beyond. Those are the kinds of games you need to build a program. It was also good to see us be able to use our passing game to open up the run against a great defense like that. It’s a little opposite of what we like to do so it’s good to to know that we can do that and have some success.
On the negative side, and I really didn’t see that many, it was just such an emotional and physical game, it really took a toll on us. We’re pretty banged up as a group. We knew we were going to have to turn around and play another game similar to that this week and that’s hard to do. Depth will be an issue for us this week. But hopefully we’ll find out even more about ourselves and what we’re capable of.
Q: How hard was it, if at all, to keep them focused this week on what still lies ahead?
A: Not hard at all. When we saw the schedule back in the spring we knew it would be a tough turnaround. I think the kids understand what was at stake in this two week period before the season started. The sting of last week is actually helping us, I think. You never want to lose a game but that one is helping us. It has rekindled the hunger in the guys.
Q: As a program do you think the program is ahead of where you envisioned it at this point in Season 2?
A: It’s hard to say and measure that. I was pleasantly surprised with last year with how we finished [the Falcons advanced to the second round of the Class 5A playoffs and won their first playoff game, 21-14 over Kell, since 2011]. But we also feel like we could have gone further (in the playoffs) based on how much we improved over the second half of the season. This team has grown a lot being in the system now for two years and with a lot of returning players. Honestly, I think we’re where we were hoping we could be at this point in our second season.
Q: So, how good is this Marist team, which won the region title last year and finished as the state runner-up in Class 4A? Is it a favorable matchup for your group?
A: They’re very good, very, very good. They are a different kind of challenge but maybe even tougher just because they are following Blessed Trinity and to play perhaps two of the most physical teams in the state back-to-back is just a huge challenge. They are well-coached and balanced on both sides of the ball. But we feel like we can compete. We’re going to do everything we can to be ready.
Q: Finally, you played football at Franklin County and later for Furman at the collegiate level. However, what other sport besides football would you have wanted to play at the next level?
A: Well, as a kid I loved basketball and I always thought I was going to be next Larry Bird. A tall, slow, guy but I could play early on. I definitely wasn’t a jumper, kind of like Larry, but I was physical and I could pass it. I was more of a bruiser and got most of my points at the free throw line. Once I got to high school I realized that was not the sport I was going to be able to do at a high level. Our team at Franklin was pretty good. My sophomore year I really got into football and here we are.
