NAPLES — It was the dawning of a new Day Friday night.

Mountain Valley’s backup quarterback, Chris Day, got his long awaited chance behind center in the season opener at Lake Region and made the best of his opportunity. The senior quarterback stepped in and led his Falcons to a convincing 39-0 win over the Lakers.

“I was pumped,” said Day of his week working up to Friday’s start. “I grew up watching the Carrier boys and Andy Shorey. They were all quarterbacks. I always wanted to start a game, and I got my chance, and I just came out and had fun.”

Starter Cam Kaubris was banged up in a preseason loss at Skowhegan last weekend. He didn’t practice all week, setting the stage for Day’s opportunity. Day threw for a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter to kick-start the Falcon offense. He finished completing six-out-of-seven passes for 161 yards.

“I’m very proud of him,” said Mountain Valley coach Jim Aylward, who expects Kaubris to be ready for action next week. “I’m very happy for him. He’s an incredibly nice kid and an incredibly good kid. It’s nice to see a kid that works as hard as he has in athletics get his chance to shine in the first game.”

The victory was a significant step for the defending Class B state champions. After losing a ton of talent to graduation and getting roughed up by the Indians last week, the Falcons needed to establish themselves. Aylward said his club struggled through some difficult practices, including a frustrating one Thursday.

“We lost a little confidence last week,” he said. “We went down to Skowhegan and put the ball on the ground seven times in the first half and lost. We’re not used to that.”

The Falcons didn’t have that problem against Lake Region, who mustered just 29 total yards in the first half and one first down. Meanwhile, Mountain Valley’s new-look running game showed great promise. Matt Duka rushed for 205 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns. Tyer Mason added 80 yards on nine tries and rushed for a pair of touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass from Day.

“Our offensive line is really our strength,” said Aylward. “I thought our offensive line did a great job. Matt and Tyler, as the game went on, started running with more confidence and hitting the holes a little harder.”

Lake Region couldn’t get much offense going at all early. On four of their first six possession, the Lakers quick kicked on third down.

After stopping the Lakers on their first possession, the Falcons marched downfield, thanks to a 47-yard run by Duka.  Day finished off the drive when he rolled right and found Mason for a 13-yard pass play.

“I rolled out and saw the defender and kind of watched him off and passed it,” said Day. “It’s an incredible feeling to get to play football on Friday night and get to throw a touchdown. I couldn’t think of anything else better.”

Day connected again for a 24-yard play on the next possession. He found a wide open Christian Durland for the 14-0 lead.

“I could see his eyes from 30 yards away,” said Day.

While the Lakers sputtered, the Falcons only revved up. Mountain Valley got an 18-yard run from Mason and a 30-yard scamper from Duka for a 26-0 lead by halftime.

In the third, Duka took it in from the 13 and Mason added a score from the 1.

“Duka can do a lot, and Mason can, too,” said Day. “We have great running backs. I have full respect for those guys. They work their butts off every day in practice.”