FALLSBURG — Friday evening marked the return of football season to Sullivan County as the Comets and Redhawks faced off in the season opener. From the opening kickoff to the final drive, Liberty put together a dominant win, defeating Fallsburg 49-26 and earning their first victory of the season.

After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, the Redhawks needed just ten seconds to score, returning the opening kickoff to the house and making it 6-0 after a failed 2-point conversion.

After a Fallsburg interception on their opening drive, Liberty was able to set up their offense with great field position, ultimately leading to a second touchdown as the Redhawks went up 12-0 less than five minutes into the game.

Fallsburg’s second drive went a bit better, driving deep into Liberty territory before ultimately turning it over on downs, giving Liberty the ball under the shadow of their own end zone.

After a botched punt from Liberty, Fallsburg started at the Liberty 12 yard line before fumbling it back to Liberty to set up at their own 10. The Redhawks put a drive together to start the second quarter, but turned the ball over to Fallsburg in the Comets’ redzone.

After the Comets started at their own 17, a fumbled snap returned the ball to the Redhawks at the Fallsburg 10-yard-line, and Liberty was able to punch it in to go up 18-0. 

Fallsburg’s offense found some success in the latter portion of the second quarter, scoring their first touchdown with 2:07 to play as they cut the lead to 18-6.

Liberty was quick to answer, though, with a 65-yard catch-and-run touchdown to make it 24-6 with 1:49 to play. Fallsburg returned the ensuing kickoff deep into Liberty territory, punching it in and converting the first two-point attempt of the game to make it 24-14 with 1:28 to play in the first half.

After a big kickoff return to start the third quarter, Fallsburg’s offense failed to convert, giving Liberty the ball back in their own redzone. Liberty put together a long touchdown drive, shedding minutes off the clock and making their way up the field to punch it in with 5:44 to play in the third, taking a 30-14 lead.

On Fallsburg’s next drive, a three-and-out forced them to punt. On the punt, however, Liberty’s line was able to collapse in and block the ball, leading to another special teams touchdown as the Redhawks went up 36-14.

In the final seconds of the third quarter, Fallsburg was able to answer back with a touchdown of their own, making it 36-20.

Fallsburg successful fell on an onside kick to open up the fourth, but were unable to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs to Liberty with 10 minutes to play.

Liberty’s next drive ended with an interception, but Fallsburg turned it over on downs again with seven minutes to play.

Liberty fumbled the ball back to Fallsburg with 5:46 to play as the Comets started on their own 35. The Comets put together a touchdown drive, making it 36-26 with 5:28 to play.

Liberty answered with a touchdown two minutes later, making it 42-26 with 3:22 to play.

Liberty sealed the game with 1:32 left, intercepting a Fallsburg pass for a touchdown and kicking the extra point to make it 49-26.

After a last ditch effort to score with time winding down, another interception allowed Liberty’s offense to set up in victory formation and kneel for the win.

“This is our first 11-man team in five or six years,” Fallsburg Coach Lionel White said after the game. “We had opportunities against a solid program, and it was a promising start to a good season.”

“Typically our defense carries us,” Liberty Coach Adam Lake said after the win. “Our line hit the weights hard this offseason and they’re playing with everything they’ve got. We still have some things to clean up, but this was the first game of a very long season.”

On Fallsburg’s return to 11-man Coach Lake said, “I’m happy they are back. The crosstown rivalry still exists in our other sports, and having it back in football is really nice. Fallsburg always has athletes, and they have a great coaching staff, but tonight was our night.”

Both the Comets and Redhawks will be on the road this weekend as Fallsburg travels to Dover and Liberty heads to Port Jervis for their Week 2 matchups.