The combination of a big running game — 195 yards from Falcon rusher Henry Mead alone — and six interceptions, three from Falcon safety TJ Russell, helped South Whidbey roll over Sultan on Friday, 42-30.

Fullback Danny Zuver broke the ice with a 20-yard scramble for a touchdown early in the first period, followed 10 minutes later by an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Hunter Rawls to Russell. The score was 14-6 when the quarter ended.

Zuver’s touchdown came off a trap play, where the Falcon guard pulled to the right and the center dropped down.

“I ended up with a wide-open field and really wanted to pick up six for the team,” Zuver said. “Their new artificial turf is quicker and softer, but the rubber they used tends to cut up your skin.”

The second quarter was all about Mead, who intercepted a Sultan pass and ran the ball

80 yards for the score.

“I was in the flats and their quarterback threw,” Mead recalled. “The ball tipped off one of their guys, I caught it and ran. The quarterback followed me almost all the way. Didn’t catch me, though.”

But the Turks soon answered with another score, and the Falcons were only a couple points ahead at the half, 20-18.

Falcon coach Andy Davis said some adjustments were made at halftime.

“We were making some mental mistakes out there,” he said. “But our third and fourth quarter play improved dramatically and our guys played great.”

Mead had two short runs from the nine- and 20-yard lines in the third quarter for TDs, and the Falcon defense stepped up to shut down the Turks to make it 34-18.

Despite two TDs from Sultan, Mead capped the night for South Whidbey with his fourth score just before the game ended.

The final was 42-30.

The offense generated 274 yards on the ground and passed for another 106.

“It was an emotional game,” said tight end Tyler “Chuck” Norris. “It was their homecoming and they were talking a little smack before the game began, but we ignored them and did our job. Mostly ignored them.”

“Nobody likes to lose a homecoming game,” Jon Poolman added.

Linebacker Joe Kinser said the Turks weren’t as physical as Cedarcrest, using a lot of cut-and-run versus plowing straight through the line.

“But that third quarter, we executed our plays and put them away,” he said.

Rawls threw 14 passes with eight completions for 74 yards and a touchdown for the Falcons.

Russell assumed the helm in the second half, and threw three-for-seven passes for 32 yards plus 24 rushing.

Mead had 25 carries for 195 yards and three rushing touchdowns and a pass interception for a fourth TD. Zuver had six carries for 61 yards and a TD and two receptions for another 40.

Sam Lee rushed for 30 yards and Dustin Varney picked up 16 yards.

For the Falcon defense, TJ Russell caught three Turk passes for interceptions, Mead had one for a TD and Rawls picked off a fifth. Rawls and Norris each had a fumble recovery.

It isn’t good when your quarterback spends serious time sprawled on the turf; Norris had two sacks while Kinser, Chris Monell, Dustin Varney and Jordan Dibble each had one.

Zuver led with six tackles and Jon Poolman had five.

On Friday, Oct. 9, the team travels to Falcon coach Mark Hodson’s alma mater, King’s, then welcomes Granite Falls to Waterman Field on Oct. 16 for the homecoming game at 7 p.m.

“The King’s outcome will determine which team has a realistic chance of getting into the playoffs,” Rawls said. “Should be fun.”