Intending to build a first- class program at A.C. Flora, first- year coach Dean Howell and his staff aren't going to let teachable moments pass this season.

So, moments after a season opening 42- 7 loss to reigning Class 2A champion Dillon, the Falcons players divided by position and huddled with their position coaches for several minutes.

"We do that after every practice: sometimes it's motivational; sometimes it's instructional," Howell said. "It just part of our continuing efforts to build trust and communication and build on some of the things we talked about or worked on in practice."

Given that the team has 10 seniors and about as many players with varsity experience, the opener provided no shortage of things to talk about or work on.

"We made too many mistakes," tailback Edward Taylor said.

A punt- return miscue combined with a 2- yard punt by A.C. Flora gave Dillon the ball at the 13, setting up its first score 4½ minutes in. A defensive breakdown in the secondary produced a 63- yard completion that set up Dillon's touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. The Wildcats then scored 16 points in three minutes on Antuawn Blue's 50- yard punt return, a bad punt snap that turned into a safety and a 43- yard drive.

"We talked at halftime -- not taking anything away from Dillon - about how they were a good team but they weren't 29 points better than us," Howell said. "We had a 5- minute span where we let the game get away from us."

Dillon also ran for 227 yards including 100 by quarterback TyQuan Hayes.

"We have to work on a lot of little things: people not filling holes, people trying to arm tackle, taking bad tackling angles," senior defensive back Terry Cherry said.

Howell agreed but added one more reason.

"They had shown us a bunch of I- formation isolation plays on film," he said. "When Dillon was in that, our guys did a pretty good job. But when they went into the shotgun and ran misdirection, we hadn't seen that before and weren't ready for it."

Despite the final score, there were reasons for optimism.

• The Falcons responded to Dillon's first touchdown with a 15- play, 50- yard drive that consumed 6:36 before stalling at the 26 because of a penalty. Sophomore quarterback Stephen Cagle completed 4 of 6 passes for 31 yards on the drive.

• Trailing 29- 0, the Falcons opened the second half with a 13- play, 75- yard scoring drive that consumed 5 minutes. Tailback Edward Taylor rushed for 17 of his team- high 87 yards during the drive that was capped by fullback Edward Kirkland's 10- yard scoring run. Lee Knudson converted the extra point. Kirkland finished with 31 yards on seven carries.

• The offensive line, led by Thomas Hobbs and Barry Dodson, allowed Dillon only two sacks and four tackles for losses. However, Dillon's mid- drive defensive adjustments disrupted A.C. Flora's offense.

"We blocked a couple of plays really well, but our inexperience showed itself when the kids had to think on their feet," Howell said. "They are definitely going to get better adjusting to slants and stunts by the defense."

Which means there will be more huddles and more teaching moments to come.