2023 Preview: AC Flora Falcons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of the pieces that guided AC Flora to 13 straight wins to open the 2022 season and a spot in the lower state championship against eventual champion South Florence have moved on but that doesn't mean the Falcons nest is empty.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sure, many of the skill position players that helped A.C. Flora to average 44 points a game are no longer there. Quarterback&nbsp;<strong>Carew Bates</strong>, running back&nbsp;<strong>Markel Townsend</strong>&nbsp;and receiver&nbsp;<strong>Chris Lofton</strong>&nbsp;are big losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That doesn't deter coach Ken Floyd believing he has enough weapons to try and mimic what the Falcons did a season ago. Plus, the defense will be the strong point of this team, especially in the early going of a tough non-region schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I've said this all summer – we're young but talented. The young guys are skilled,” Floyd said. “I think once they get some experience and get out there under the Friday night lights, they will be a solid unit. We have to stay healthy early and make sure those guys get the experience they need.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The quarterback situation is unsettled with the battle between senior&nbsp;<strong>Heath Moser</strong>&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky']</strong>&nbsp;likely to go throughout the season. The receiver room doesn't have much production on the varsity level but is a talented bunch. The offensive line has two starters returning in&nbsp;<strong>Zach Lott</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Demaurius Baker</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the defense has Floyd excited. The two leading tacklers return along with an experienced secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Noah Kelson</strong>&nbsp;RB, 2024 – Nelson likely would have been a 1,000-yard rusher last season if he didn't get hurt in the fourth game of the year. He finished with 351 yards in a backup role to Townsend. But the 5-foot-9 senior is healthy and out to prove he can more than carry the load.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771222' first='Eric' last='McClain']</strong>&nbsp;LB, 2024 – All McClain did last season was lead the team in tackles. He's a tad undersized but that doesn't stop him from getting involved on the inside and he can play sideline-to-sideline with the best of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997228' first='Ryan' last='Biggerstaff']&nbsp;</strong>DB, 2024 – A two-year starter, Biggerstaff recorded five interceptions last season. He's aggressive enough that he could push for some playing time at linebacker, but Floyd likes the experience and leadership skills Biggerstaff shows on the back end of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771227' first='Albert' last='Perkins']&nbsp;</strong>LB, 2024 – One look at the film and you can tell Perkins is a star in the making. He got better as last season progressed and by the time the playoffs began, Perkins might have been the key to the defense. He was good enough this spring to earn MVP honors. He could see his recruiting heat up quickly. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16040834/635fc839478ce6090c254b4d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c1c197a6be9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Markel Townsend</strong>&nbsp;RB – Townsend's biggest attribute might have been his ability to get into the end zone. He had 40 rushing scores last year and over 2,600 yards rushing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202750' first='Braxton' last='Burton']</strong>&nbsp;DL – Burton is a player that reclassified and graduated a year early. He shook off an early season injury to be a stalwart on the defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carew Bates</strong>&nbsp;QB – Bates threw for 1,682 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was never rattled and was a leader on and off the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272714' first='Aiden' last='Mosley']&nbsp;</strong>RB, 2025 – Mosley (pictured) battled injuries last season but managed to play in 10 games where he ran for 474 yards and nine scores. He added 12 receptions and two TDs. He could be a player that lines up all over the field for the Falcons and creates mismatches for defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592609' first='Azel' last='Banag']</strong>&nbsp;DB, 2026 – The son of one of the assistant coaches, Banag could be a big-time player in the secondary. He has good football instincts and could be counted on to play several different roles in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165081' first='Kendall' last='Byrd']/Soloman Kelson</strong>&nbsp;WR, 2026 – The top two receivers are gone from last season so that opens the door for new faces to shine. Preseason practice hasn't officially started but the coaching staff is raving about the potential of the two sophomores. They had solid summers in 7-on-7 passing leagues and will likely lead that group this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->