Eli Luckett News Today

The Blair Oaks Falcons played in an offense-dominated state semifinal game last season. They might get more of the same this afternoon. Blair Oaks hosts the Park Hills Central Rebels in the Class 3 state semifinals at 1 p.m. today at the Falcon Athletic Complex. The two teams enter the game nearly averaging a combined 100 points per game.

It was far from an ideal start for the Blair Oaks Falcons. Blair Oaks lost a fumble on its first play from scrimmage, then the Seaman Vikings scored a touchdown on their first play on offense. “It was reminiscent of Lutheran North,” Blair Oaks coach Ted LePage said of the start to the game. But that’s why football games last 48 minutes, not 20 seconds.

When the Blair Oaks offense had the football, the Falcons found the end zone. Every. Single. Possession. Blair Oaks had the ball for eight drives, each resulting in a touchdown Friday night. The Falcons ran all over the Boonville Pirates, accumulating 25 first downs on 50 offensive plays that led to a 56-27 victory in Tri-County Conference play at Gene Reagan Field.

It was as close to a perfect night as the Blair Oaks Falcons could have delivered. Blair Oaks scored a total of 10 touchdowns, including three in the second half by the backup players, and the defense held the California Pintos to 36 total yards, which includes 2 net yards rushing. The Falcons dominated from start to finish to rout the Pintos 69-0 on Friday night at the Falcon Athletic Complex.

It may have been only a Week 2 matchup, but Friday night at the Falcon Athletic Complex resembled more of a state playoff game than a typical non-conference contest. The Lutheran North Crusaders made minimal mistakes, scored the game’s first two touchdowns and kept the Blair Oaks Falcons at arm’s length the rest of the way. The Crusaders held on for a 38-30 victory, winning for the first time in four tries against the Falcons.

The Blair Oaks Falcons only get two non-conference football games each season, so they want to make them count. Maryville, a program that has appeared in five state championship games since 2012, was the season opener for the Falcons. When Blair Oaks had an opening for its Week 2 opponent, it sought to fill it with another powerhouse program. The Lutheran North Crusaders fit that bill.