By Steve Brand, Special to the U-T,
Friday, November 19, 2010 at 11:40 p.m.
When Scripps Ranch’s first-year head coach Joe Meyer was asked about his kicker, Nick Sloan, he smiled and said, “It’s good to know he’s waiting on the sideline.”
Even better when he’s on the field as the senior became a major weapon in helping the Falcons roll past Morse 30-0 in the section Division II first-round playoff game at Scripps Ranch.
Sloan nailed field goals of 44, 29 and 37 yards, added three extra points and sent seven kickoffs into the end zone, denying the Tigers the opportunity for a big return.
Bottled up by starting on their 20-yard line, Morse could get no closer than the Scripps Ranch 23, though Trey Roberts led all rushers with 98 yards on 15 carries.
Similarly, though the Tigers had the most dynamic defender in linebacker Karl Mickelson, it was the teamwork of the Falcons that prevented the big play and gave the offense good field position most of the evening.
“Our defense has been good all year,” said Meyer, “but tonight we had it all — offense, defense and special teams.”
Sloan was especially sharp. His 44-yard field goal was just two yards shy of his best.
“Every point counts,” said Sloan, a 6-foot, 200-pounder who has played soccer for as long as he can remember. “Now I’m a football player.”
The Falcons (6-4-1) advanced to the quarterfinals, where they’ll play at Steele Canyon next Friday.
“If we play like tonight, I think we have the ability to beat Steele Canyon,” Sloan said.
The Kicking System 