Preseason Preview: Robbinsdale Armstrong Falcons

The Robbinsdale Armstrong Falcons are fresh off an impressive 8-3 season that saw them win their section and make it to state. Although they graduated a lot of talent, the Falcons also returned a lot of elite athletes, including two D1-offered players. The Falcons haven't had a losing season since 2014 and they look to continue that impressive streak in 2023 with another talented core.   Key Starters:   [player_tooltip player_id='242410' first='Langden' last='College'] 2024 6'4" 230 lbs Edge   2022 Stats: 10 GP, 63 TOT, 8.5 Sacks, 1 FF   Following a dominant junior year, College returns as one of the most dominant speed-rushers in the state. He has a lightning-quick first step and often beats offensive linemen to the punch. He's got a strong frame and can manhandle smaller offensive linemen if they choose to double-team him. Often offenses will leave the last man on the line unblocked if the run play is heading the opposite way. College is one of a few people in the state who can chase down the RB and make a tackle for a loss. He does a nice job of using his long arms to keep his opponents at a distance as well. College's lean, quick, and versatile build is perfect for the modern defense most coaches are building.   Offers: University of North Dakota, University of Northern Iowa   [player_tooltip player_id='704470' first='Seth' last='Newbern'] 2024 6'1" 180 lbs WR   2022 Stats: 2 GP, 6 Receptions, 179 Yards, 2 TDs   Newbern, an ultra-athletic, wideout enters his senior year as the WR1 for the Falcons. Injuries limited his time on the field his junior year, but he returns healthy and ready to make a big impact. Newbern has a quick release off the line and is fast enough to either toast DBs or force them to play several yards off of him. He boasts a mean stutter-step and consistently creates great separation from the defense. On a team that runs a lot of RPOs, I expect Newbern to be a massive part of the offense, especially with a first-year varsity QB.   Offers: University of Northern Iowa   [player_tooltip player_id='945344' first='Luke' last='Pappas'] 2025 6'3" 250 lbs OT   Pappas started last year as a sophomore, and returns as the Falcons blindside blocker. He's got a good frame that could easily translate to the next level as a guard and has a dog mentality that is evident in his film. Although his pad level tends to be slightly high, he makes up for it with extreme physicality. He's very comfortable blocking in space, he's able to match the defender's speed, does a good job of hand fighting, and takes advantage when they're in a poor position. As a run blocker, Pappas does a great job of getting to the second level and bullying smaller LBs. If he gets his hands on a defender, he's putting them in the dirt.   [player_tooltip player_id='743244' first='Branden' last='Cole'] 2024 6'4" 275 lbs OG/OT   Despite his big frame, Cole is a quick puller and can easily flatten a defender. Armstrong effectively utilizes the big man in a variety of ways, but he is the biggest threat when you get him in motion. He too tends to play a little high at times, but he's able to make up for it with tenacity and a bully mentality. He's got good awareness when he's in pass-pro. Cole can get off his double team quickly before knocking down the blitzing LB. Cole and Pappas are a tough 1-2 punch that any RB should love to run behind.   Offers: Minnesota State - Mankato   [player_tooltip player_id='743274' first='Kevon' last='Johnson'] 2025 5'10" 175 lbs RB   2022 Stats: 10 GP, 91 Carries, 399 Yards, 4 TDs, 4.4 YPC   As the RB2 last year, Johnson put on an impressive performance averaging 4.4 YPC and racking up just under 400 yards. As a junior, he will step into the RB1 role in a system that can maximize his abilities as an athlete. Watching his film the first thing that sticks out to you would be his quickness. He excels in the zone run scheme and will routinely beat defenders to the edge. He can reach his top speed very quickly and also showcases some impressive vision as a runner. Johnson will enter a fantastic situation and I can't wait to see him step into an elevated role during his junior season.   CJ Dickerson 2024 5'10" 250 lbs NT/DT   2022 Stats: 9 GP, 29 TOT, 1 TFL   Courtney "CJ" Dickerson returns for his senior year as a key two-gap player for the Falcons. He fights hard through tough double teams and can own both sides of the center by utilizing his quick feet and long arms to keep the offensive lineman at bay. Despite being a little undersized for a defensive lineman, Dickerson owns blockers at the point of attack, rarely gets moved off the line of scrimmage, and never gives up on a play. He will chase runningbacks down the line and has a quick first step. Dickerson is a tenacious defensive lineman that will cause problems for centers 1 on 1.   Jack Bailey 2024 6' 215 lbs LB   2022 Stats: 10 GP, 39 TOT, 2 TFl   Bailey is the only returning inside linebacker for the Falcons and will be a key leader on that defensive unit. First and foremost, Bailey is an excellent run defender. He plugs holes really well and is very quick getting up to the line of scrimmage. He does a nice job of fighting through bigger offensive linemen and is a challenge to move out of a gap, even when the opposing lineman gets a running start with a pull. He also has the ability to play as an outside linebacker, but his biggest impact comes when he's between the tackles.   Offers: Augsburg   Other Players to Know:   Jackson Wylie: 2026 5'11" 190 lbs LB   2022 Stats: N/A   The freshman LB was spoken of very highly by his teammates. Although he doesn't have a lot of available film, don't be surprised if he starts or is a key rotation member of the Falcon's defense as a sophomore. He's got a good frame and could shock a lot of people.   Dawson Franke 2025 5'10" 170 lbs QB   2022 Stats: N/A   The baseball standout will enter his junior year as the presumed QB1 for the Falcons. In admittedly limited varsity reps from the previous season, Franke showed off some solid mobility which makes him a great fit for the RPO-heavy Falcon offense. He also gets a stud RB, a good offensive line, and a D1 receiver to ease his transition from JV to varsity.   Gideon Breker 2025 6'1" 190 lbs WR/TE   2022 Stats: N/A   The three-sport athlete will enter his junior year as the presumed WR2 for Armstrong. He saw limited action last season but has hit the camp circuit running with invites to both Augsburg and Minnesota this summer. He had no issues blocking bigger defenders last season and could easily be a breakout player in 2023.   Dayton Franke 2024 6'3" 235 lbs DL   2022 Stats: 10 GP, 50 TOT, 1 Sack   The older brother of Dawson Franke, baseball standout Dayton Franke will return as a key member of the Armstrong defensive line. He can clog up a gap and often demands a double team from the offense. He may not be the flashiest player, but he's quick to get off a block and will cause problems for an opposing offensive line.   Committed To: South Dakota State (Baseball)   Tarrell Prince 2024 5'8" 250 lbs DL   2022 Stats: 8 GP, 28 TOT, 3.5 Sacks, 1 FF   Prince is an underrated piece of the Armstrong defensive unit. He may not be the biggest, but he plays like he's 6'3". He does a great job of utilizing the offensive lines leverage against them, and routinely gets in the backfield with a nasty push-pull move. He has a quick first step and fights relentlessly through contact. Offenses often underestimate him, and that's a mistake they don't make twice.   Mohamed Bamba 2024 5'11" 205 lbs Edge   2022 Stats: 1 GP, 1 TOT   Bamba will enter his senior year as an outside linebacker who isn't afraid to put his hand in the dirt. He's gathered interest from Crown and Concordia Moorhead recently and looks to build on that momentum for a big senior year. He's got good top-end speed and could play a keep part in the Falcon's defense.   Josiah Page 2025 6'2" 245 lbs DL   2022 Stats: 1 GP, 2 TOT   Page has gathered a lot of interest this offseason and has hit the camp circuit hard with invites to the University of Minnesota-Duluth and UW River Falls. The big man looks to be a key rotational member of the Falcon's D-Line his junior year.   Jacob Adem 2024 5'10" 140 lbs DB   2022 Stats: N/A   Adem appears to be one of the Day-1 starters for the Falcon's secondary at the moment. He too has been very active in the camp and 7v7 circuits and looks to make a splash his senior year. He is aggressive at the point of attack, has shown off some quick lateral movement, and seems to have a nose for the ball. It'll be interesting to see how he performs in his senior year.

The Robbinsdale Armstrong Falcons are fresh off an impressive 8-3 season that saw them win their section and make it to state. Although they graduated a lot of talent, the Falcons also returned a lot of elite athletes, including two D1-offered players. The Falcons haven't had a losing season since 2014 and they look to continue that impressive streak in 2023 with another talented core.