Something has clicked for Tompkins over the past two weeks.

The Faclons were a young team heading into the year and faced their fair share of adversity, but as we reach the mid way point, the Falcons have settled it.

It was evident last week when the Falcons (3-3, 2-2) earned a bounce back win, their first District 19-6A win on the year, and they followed it up with an even better performance, dominating in all three phases on the way to a 48-13 win over Taylor (2-3, 2-1) on Thursday.

“This is what we’ve been working towards” said Tompkins head coach Todd McVey. “We went from two quarters of good play to four quarters last week and then we put together a complete performance this week. We reminded the guys at halftime that this wasn’t over and they had to come out and play for four quarters. Taylor is a tough, physical team and it was good to see these guys come out and have everyone do their job. If we focus on that and continue to do it, we’ll have success.”

Tompkins dominated up front on both sides of the ball, rushing for 275 yards while barely allowing over 100 yards rushing to a Taylor team with a strong offensive line. The Falcons were led by Caleb Blocker, who ran for 216 yards and two scores on the day, averaging nine yards per carry while helping the Falcons to a win.

“The offensive line was amazing today and they were locked in all week,” Blocker said. “They’re just such a good unit and I love those guys. They’ve made me look really good this year and I just have to give them their kudos because those guys deserve it.”

Tompkins defense opened the day with a stop before the offense came down the field and scored, getting in the endzone on a 3-yard pass from Justin Thierheimer to Rhys Phillips. Thierheimer added a seven yard pass to Adebisi Bello early in the second quarter before Blocker ran in a 1-yard touchdown. Taylor tried to get answer back late in the half, but Dazer Van Leeuwen came away with an interception to get Tompkins the ball back and William Duncan made it 31-0 at half with a field goal.

“I knew they were trying to throw and I could see their quarterback telegraphing where he wanted to go with it” Van Leeuwen said. “I just wanted to take advantage and help the team. We had already been doing good but getting another score before half I knew would be huge. I’m just glad I made the play. The whole defense played really well today. We’ve gotten back to the basics and guys are making plays.”

Theirheimer added another touchdown, again to Phillips, in the third quarter before Taylor answered back on a 1-yard run by Daniel Bruns. Caleb Blocker increased Tompkins lead with a 5-yard touchdown run and the Falcons capped the day off by blocking a punt which Jhase McMillan recovered and brought in for another touchdown. Duncan added a field goal in the fourth before Taylor made things slightly closer with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Bruns to Tristian Chambers.

The Tompkins defense kept the Mustangs offense in check all day, limiting the Taylor offense to 104 yards on the ground in the win and it showcased the teams improvement.

Tompkins has a bye before taking on Morton Ranch in week eight, while Taylor will have another important game next week, facing Morton Ranch.

“The focus out there and the sense of urgency has really been better the last few weeks and you can see the team getting it,” McVey said. “The seniors are understanding what they need to do and taking ownership of the program, making sure things are right and fixing it when it’s not. That’s always a great thing. You want it to come from your players, the more they hold each other accountable the better and that’s what is happening.”

Tompkins 48, Taylor 13

First quarter

T: Justin Thierheimer 3 pass to Rhys Phillips (William Duncan kick) 1:23

Second quarter

T: Thierheimer 7 pass to Adebisi Bello (Duncan kick) 9:13

T: Caleb Blocker 1 run (Duncan kick) 2:16

T: Duncan 33 field goal, 0:19

Third quarter

T: Thierheimer 4 passs to Rhys Phillips (Duncan kick) 7:13

TA: Daniel Bruns 1 run, 3:57

T: Blocker 5 run (Duncan kick) 2:46

T: Jhase McMillan 10 punt block recovery (Duncan kick) 1:07

Fourth quarter

T: Duncan 39 field goal, 6:32

Ta: Daniel Bruns 25 pass to Tristian Chambers (Jackson Waller kick) 4:36

Team stats

Individual Statistics

Rushing – Tompkins: Caleb Blocker, 24-216-2; Ronnie Quinn, 5-50; Sweet William, 4-8; Justin Thierheimer, 2-3; Dylan Rodriguez, 1-(-2); Taylor: Javion Garrett, 6-64; Dante Archie, 9-30; Ethan Jacobson, 4-1; Daniel Bruns, 2-(-4);

Passing – Tompkins: Justin Thierheimer, 11-18-63-3-0; Taylor: Daniel Bruns, 17-27-167-1-2;

Receiving – Tompkins: Rhys Phillips, 2-16-2; Adebisi Bello, 2-16-1; KJ Madison, 1-13; Dylan Rodriguez, 2-10; Dante Johnson, 1-9; Caleb Blocker, 1-(-1); Taylor: Dante Archie, 2-53; Jeremy McCullough, 5-32; Cameron Lewis, 4-29; Tristen Chambers, 1-25; Jared Grafe, 3-19; Ethan Jacobson, 1-9;