Spring Practice Review: AC Flora Falcons

Thomas Grant May 23, 2023 @ 09:00 AM

COLUMBIA | The spring game at Falcon Field was not an ending, according to AC Flora head coach Ken Floyd.   In fact, it marked the beginning of full preparation for the 2023 fall season. Three seasons removed from the program's first-ever title; the Falcons showed one of same attributes – strong defensive play upfront – during the May 22 scrimmage.   “I'll tell you one thing,” he said. “We've got a really good defense. We're going to hang our hats on those guys. We've got a young offense. We've got to figure out some personnel things there. But that's going to be good because our defense, I really believe, is going to carry ux through our pre-region schedule.”   The Red team came away with a 20-0 win over the Blue team. While Red quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky'] threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns to wide receiver Charlie Hudson, the team's first score came on a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown by defensive back Michael Quinn.   Floyd had praise for the whole secondary as well with defensive backs like Garrison Williams playing a role in stopping the Blue on some fourth-down conversion attempts.     Arguably the biggest star on defense was rising junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='771227' first='Albert' last='Perkins']. The five-foot 10, 210-pounder was arguably the most impactful player on the Red team's front seven with his disruptive play all over the field.   Whether it was making tackles in the backfield or breaking up passes, Perkins continued to show why Floyd sees him as a potential team MVP.   Another potential MVP candidate from the defensive line is Tracey Borden-Bryant. At six-foot-one and 250 pounds, the rising junior provides a big, athletic presence at defensive tackle.   That honor last season went to running back [player_tooltip player_id='202726' first='Markel' last='Townsend']. This year's crop of returning running backs – [player_tooltip player_id='272714' first='Aiden' last='Mosley'] and Noah Kelson for the Blue team and Jalan Evans for the Red – had their difficulties against the defensive line.   Making things even more challenging for the Blue offense was having an inexperienced center. Numerous high, errant snaps made it difficult for the offense to get into sync, although Floyd was not overly concerned following the game.   “This is a useful group,” Floyd said. “We've got a lot of answers we've got to come up with. But the good news is, we've got the pieces. We've just got to figure out where they fit offensively, and we will.”   AC Flora resumes its summer practice schedule following Memorial Day.

COLUMBIA | The spring game at Falcon Field was not an ending, according to AC Flora head coach Ken Floyd.