Friends falls in season opener

When Nebraska Wesleyan opened the game with 10 first-quarter points Saturday night, there was little need for worry.

Once it got the wind at its back in the second quarter, Friends answered and tied the score at the half, 10-10.

But fortunes with the southerly wind changed in the third period. The Prairie Wolves, going into the wind, outscored Friends 14-7 in the period and went on to a 27-17 season-opening victory.

Falcons coach Monty Lewis said afterward that he was certain Friends would benefit from having the wind after halftime.

“The reason we took the wind in the third (quarter) was it seemed every time whoever had the ball, they’d go up,” he said. “Well, doggone it, they came out and scored going into the wind. We broke a lot of coverages. I was a little disappointed there.”

Nebraska Wesleyan junior quarterback Ben Green used his 6-foot-5 stature to elude Falcons tacklers and was able to find his receivers —who also happened to be tall. Green completed 55 percent of his passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite it being just the first of 11 games this season, Lewis said he expected a better showing.

“I’m disappointed,” he said. “I don’t believe we gave them our best shot. I saw a lot of great effort — I’m not faulting the effort — but we weren’t smart, and I think we tried to do too much at times.”

Even though Nebraska Wesleyan ran just one more offensive play, 66-65, the Prairie Wolves outgained the Falcons, 394-258.

Forced to make numerous stops, Friends’ defense did manage to post good numbers in tackles, led by 10 each from linebackers Fredrick Cato and Josh Lewis. Defensive lineman Mason Pauly contributed nine.

Josh Lewis, the coach’s son, said he would have rather won the game.

“Football is a team sport, actually,” he said. “I hate losing, honestly. My dad has taught me that a little piece of you dies every time you lose a game.”

The offense faced some opening-night jitters, rushing for just 128 net yards and passing for 130. Lewis said it seemed the offense couldn’t build on good plays it made and put them together.

“We put together some good drives, but we had to get that big play to save it,” Monty Lewis said, referring to a couple of key fourth-down conversions that prolonged scoring drives.

Often a sore spot, Friends’ special teams played well, Monty Lewis said.

“Special teams were pretty solid, and that’s usually the rub,” he said. “That’s usually what decides it in these early games.

Things won’t get any easier next Saturday, when the Falcons will travel to Bolivar, Mo., to face Southwest Baptist.

Monty Lewis remains confident that his club can get better.

“I could see where we were making mental mistakes,” he said. “I’ll figure it out; I promise I will. I just thought we’d play better.”

This story was originally published September 5, 2015 at 10:52 PM with the headline "Friends falls in season opener."