A birthday celebration was the furthest thing from Nic Braaten’s mind Thursday.

He cared more about the elation from his players after Falcon football beat Rampart 7-6 at District 20 Stadium in his debut as coach.

Even so, his players didn’t let his special day go by without giving him a victory Gatorade shower.

“It’s special, I’m real happy but it’s got nothing to do with me. So my birthday means nothing tonight to me, it’s seeing the work they put in and actually come and (get) the result you want to see. So that’s what I’m proud about tonight,” Braaten said.

While every year is different and Rampart graduated a talented senior group after last season, the Rams had a 39-0 lead over Falcon in last year’s season opener. Falcon would go on to allow an average of more than 41 points a game on defense en route to its third-straight losing season.

From the first snap Thursday, Falcon looked different.

The visitors forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, the first of five turnovers forced by the Falcon defense, including three in the fourth quarter.

“We have a phenomenal senior-led class that are just great athletes, great men, great leaders. They’ve been the ones that have jumped on board with me right away and helped me change this culture,” Braaten said.

The Rams’ second fumble gave Falcon great field position and the offense cashed in with a goal-line throw and catch from senior quarterback Thomas Keene to senior tight end Jacob Hunter at the start of the second quarter.

The game seemed to tip in Rampart’s favor in the third quarter after the Rams blocked a short field-goal attempt by Falcon and junior Dylon Snowden ran it back the other way for a score. However, Falcon maintained its advantage by blocking the ensuing point-after attempt.

In the fourth quarter, stagnation on offense led to plenty of opportunities for both sides to score a second and likely deciding touchdown, but seemingly every time the Rams touched the ball, Falcon answered with a turnover. Senior Krik Mielke picked off Rampart quarterback Demarion Simpson with about nine minutes remaining, the Falcons forced a fumble with about 2:30 remaining and Falcon junior Logan Rector secured the win with an interception with less than a minute remaining.

“This was a team win, this wasn’t one individual out here, this was a team win and I’m so proud of every single one that was on this field tonight,” Mielke said. “This is one is for everyone who has graduated in the past and put in the work and didn’t get the results. We’re here for this season, we’re coming this season.”