The South Whidbey football squad jousted with the Knights from Kings High School Friday, winning 35-20 on the strength of team cohesion and individual heroics.

Individual, as in Nick Tenuta’s interception for the first defensive touchdown of the year early in the third quarter.

“The guy dropped back to pass, their backs were all bunched up and the ball tipped into my hands,” Tenuta recalled. “I ran to the right, cut to the middle and scored.”

Or how about JR Graham’s two — count ‘em, two — touchdown receptions in the second and fourth periods.

“The coaches sent in a pass,” Graham said about his first catch. “I went to the left and then did a post corner — go five yards, three steps on the diagonal to the center, then break back to the corner. I caught it in the end zone.”

And then there was Levi Sawyers, getting the ball for the first time in a varsity game and blasting through the middle for the Falcon’s first score.

“They sent in a running play, a sweep,” Sawyers said.

“Danny (Parra) tossed it to me; once I passed everyone it went through my mind I could do this,” he said.

Twenty-five yards right into the end zone, he did.

Meanwhile, Parra completed six of 19 passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

Rob Knight had 208 yards on the ground (his third straight 200-plus night) and a TD. And James Jones continued as the defensive leader by adding six more tackles and two quarterback sacks to his stats.

“There was lots of ball control — just before the half we went all the way down the field and capped the drive with Graham’s 32-yard catch,” said Falcon Coach Mark Hodson.

Hodson said the big difference this year in the team’s performance is conditioning.

“The kids prepared all last year, lifted weights and several attended football camp,” Hodson said.

Another plus was the efficient play calling in the huddle.

“There was no confusion at all,” Parra noted. “Friday we spread the glory around; it was just a great game.”

Hodson said the team worked hard to make sure formations were handled with speed and efficiency.

“But basically, we came out in a three-man set and ran the ball on them. I can’t tell you how proud all the coaches are,” Hodson said.

Graham said catching the ball was “an awesome feeling. The crowd went nuts. You know, we always have the loudest fans at away games; their support is really important to us.”

The Falcons are 2-1 in the league (3-2 overall), while Kings dropped to 1-2 (2-3).

At 7 p.m. Friday, the team travels north for their first contest with Coupeville (1-2). The Falcons coaching staff watched game films Monday.

“Their kids fly around the field; lots of play action, screens and sweeps,” Hodson said.

“I watch their defense to see where we can attack, while Damian (Greene) checks the offense. I saw a few things,” he added.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or sports@southwhidbeyrecord.com.