Falkner at Bruce: Eagles face unbeaten Trojans and productive quarterback

Falkner’s first two games have produced opposite results: a 40-0 victory over Middleton, Tennessee, followed by a 41-0 loss at Alcorn Central. The Eagles now travel to Bruce for their second consecutive road game.

The Trojans have opened with consecutive wins, defeating South Pontotoc 33-28 before shutting out Vardaman 42-0 last Friday. Bruce has scored 75 points through two games, an average of 37.5 per outing.

Falkner’s immediate offensive task is to improve on a difficult night at Alcorn Central. The Eagles’ posted MaxPreps game statistics show 64 total yards: 46 passing and 18 net rushing. Asa Childs completed seven of 16 passes for 46 yards, while Ethan Adams rushed for 26 yards on 16 carries. Freshman Tyson Alberson recorded nine tackles, the highest total in Falkner’s reported defensive statistics.

Adams remains a central offensive figure. His updated two-game MaxPreps record lists 128 rushing yards on 32 carries and five rushing touchdowns. After being kept out of the end zone last week, restoring his scoring production would be a significant step for the Eagles.

Across the field, Bruce brings a quarterback who has been productive both passing and running.

Senior Joshua Long has completed 19 of 36 passes for 345 yards, five touchdowns and one interception through two games, according to his coach-entered MaxPreps statistics. He has also rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. That gives him 561 combined passing and rushing yards and a role in seven touchdowns entering Friday.

Long was particularly effective against Vardaman. He passed for 167 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 149 yards and two more scores. His longest run covered 85 yards. Cayden Jones added 74 receiving yards and two touchdown catches in the victory.

Bruce finished that game with 449 yards of offense, including 282 rushing yards. The Trojans built an 18-0 first-quarter lead and were ahead 30-0 at halftime. For Falkner, avoiding another substantial early deficit would help keep the full offense available rather than forcing the Eagles to chase points.

The defensive challenge goes beyond stopping one type of play. Long’s two-game totals show that Bruce’s quarterback can account for substantial yardage on the ground as well as through the air. Falkner must address both threats while also finding ways to keep its own offense on the field.

Series history favors Bruce. AHSFHS lists the Trojans with four victories in five meetings, including a 46-35 win over Falkner in 2025. The teams combined for 81 points in that game, a reminder that the Eagles found scoring opportunities against this opponent last season even though they did not come away with the victory.

Falkner also has recent experience recovering from an uneven start. The 2025 Eagles began 0-3 but eventually finished 6-5, went unbeaten in Region 2-1A and reached the second round of the playoffs. That turnaround does not determine what this year’s team will do, but it provides perspective after one loss.

This season carries additional significance under first-year head coach Jesse Nelson. It is scheduled to be Falkner’s final football season before the high school closes following the 2026-27 school year. Falkner and Walnut students will come together at the current Walnut campus as North Tippah High School beginning in 2027-28.

Friday is also Falkner’s final game before an open date Sept. 18. The Eagles are scheduled to return home against East Union on Sept. 25, making the Bruce trip their last opportunity to establish some momentum before that break.