Falls Rolls to Victory Over Tosa East in Conference Opener, 35-7

Both Menomonee Falls and Wauwatosa East consider themselves to be works in progress.

But three weeks into the football season, the outlook for each team is as different as night and day. The Indians are feeling mighty good about themselves after an impressive 35-7 victory over Tosa East Friday night at Hart Park.

Falls, which improved to 3-0 for the season and 1-0 in the Greater Metro Conference, will face Brookfield East (3-0, 1-0) Friday night.

“We’re really excited, we’re looking good,” senior running back Matt Christensen said. “The defense really stepped up and is looking good.”

The Red Raiders, who opened the season with a victory over Wauwatosa West, are feeling a bit down after consecutive losses to Nicolet and Falls. Tosa East hopes to get back on track against West Allis Central Friday.

After some initial missteps,  Falls righted itself and dominated the contest. Leading the way for the Indians was junior running back Justin Johnson, who carried the load offensively on the hot, muggy night.  Johnson started in place of senior running back Otis White, who suffered a hip injury and will be out for several weeks.

Johnson scored three touchdowns, two rushing and one receiving. Johnson pounded the ball inside and showed breakaway speed when he scored on a 54-yard run in the third quarter.  He later scored on a 17-yard pass from Brett Krause in the third quarter.

The junior credited his offensive line for his outstanding performance.

“The holes I had to run through, they were the biggest holes I’ve seen,” Johnson said. “I think our line has the capability to be the best line in the conference, by far. They played with a lot of emotion and really picked it up in the second half. They really wore them down.”

Also having a big game for the Indians was junior defensive back Matt Conrady, who intercepted two passes, including one late in the first half that he turned into a 59-yard touchdown run.

Tosa East’s biggest highlight came in the third quarter when wide receiver Shaquille Redding caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Kyle Vnuk. After the conversion, Falls held just a 14-7 lead. And for one brief moment it looked as if Tosa East had tied the game when running back Michael Meade caught a screen pass and completed what would have been a 51-yard touchdown play. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, a holding penalty was called and the play was nullified.

“If we keep our composure and execute, we can move the ball on anyone,” Tosa East coach Jake Wolter said. “But I think we have to tighten the ship in practice. We’re going to nitpick this week in practice. All the little things you don’t do right in practice, how are you going to do it right on Friday.”

A few plays after the missed opportunity on the screen pass, Johnson ran off left tackle, cut back to the right and raced down the sideline for the touchdown that put Falls in control.  Falls' next touchdown was set up when Rajee Vasser blocked a punt that gave Falls a first down at the Tosa East 25.

Johnson, running what he called a wheel route, caught Krause’s pass in the corner of the end zone. Sophomore running back Jason Precia scored on an 8-yard run in the fourth quarter.

From the perspective of Falls coach John Baker, being 3-0 is just grand. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.

“We had a lot of penalties to start the game, then we drive down and cough up the ball,” Baker said. "Those are some of the little things that we have to fix. That’s the thing we’re going to focus on because we have a great Brookfield East team coming in next week.”