In the 2021-2022 football season the Timber Creek Falcons finished with 3-7 record and a district record of 2-4. Although they finished one game short of the playoffs, close games and highlight reel worthy plays kept fans of this team watching all year.
The year started out on a rough patch for the Falcons, who in their first game were one score away from defeating one of the top teams in the state in Rockwall-Heath High School. That loss was then followed by two more losses to both Lewisville High School and Richland High School.
Just when all appeared to be going downhill, the Falcons found a way to crawl back out of the slump. It took them a little under a month into the season, yet they pulled it off. On September 16th, 2021, the Falcons got their first win of the year in their homecoming game against West Mesquite High School. The Falcons trailed at half, yet came from behind to pull off the win. The moment called for celebration, and the student section cordially followed up with posters and chants of joy.
“My favorite win of the year was West Mesquite. To comeback so big on homecoming, it was just a perfect illustration of resilience and it was just super sweet to get” said senior Jacob Porter.
This momentum carried on into the game next week against Fossil Ridge High School, in what was arguably game of the year for the Falcons. The Falcons trails by three touchdowns at halftime, yet made strides to score thirty-seven points unanswered in the second half to win the game.
“For my favorite win of the year- I’d have to say Fossil for sure. Although we were down by a lot going into halftime, none of us really believed the game was over” said junior Maddox Allbritton.
“Since Fossil is one of our “rivals”, beating them in an upset made it so much better” said Allbritton.
“We started out very slow and a lot of players were down; but, during halftime we came out ready finish the game and made a sick comeback” said senior Mani Kailahi.
The Falcons found that third time is not the charm, and subsequently lost their next game on the road against Keller High School. The loss was tough, yet the players found ways to keep their head up.
In the next week, the Falcons had a resounding victory over Keller Central High School. The Falcons blew the Chargers out the water, and found great joy in the win.
“They were talking a lot before the game. We knew coming into that game we had a chip on our shoulder and we had something to prove” said senior Dillon Fitzmaurice.
The Falcons would proceed to lose out their next two games, being taken down by both V.R. Eaton High School and Southlake Carroll High School. These losses set the Falcons out of playoff reach, and would subsequently end the season.
The season ended sooner than expected, yet the memories and lessons taught through the program will last far longer than any season.
“We preach about Falcon pride. So, one of our game-day expectations is to show gratitude. We want them to play for each other, not necessarily a coach. We want them to play for school and for the community, and not to make it about themselves” said head coach Marshall Williams.
“I feel as if we’ve made some strides that way. It’s not where I want it to be at, but it’s been great to see these kids taking pride in their school and the program they’re in. It’s been great to build a foundation and legacy that go with the school” said Williams.