2023 Preview: Nation Ford Falcons
In this article:
There is excitement building at Nation Ford as a new season dawns. And so what is Falcons head coach Michael Allen looking for as the 2023 season opens in three weeks? Fundamentally sound football. “Just to be able to open…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThere is excitement building at Nation Ford as a new season dawns. And so what is Falcons head coach Michael Allen looking for as the 2023 season opens in three weeks? Fundamentally sound football.
“Just to be able to open up and play really clean football. If we’re doing that and we’re progressing in that manner, then each week, we’ll be in the game and we’ll have an opportunity to get a W. So I think just being consistent and playing clean football,” Allen said.
Kaden Barnette is the frontrunner to be the starting quarterback in the season opener against Indian Land on the road on August 18. The junior signal caller is also a pitcher in baseball and receiving heavy recruiting interest on the diamond. Allen says he has a really strong arm and sees the field well.
The Falcons will be loaded at the skill positions in 2023, which should be a huge help to Barnette. It will be interesting to see how the running back rotation works out with Malachi Drayton and Caleb White sharing the load. Lucas Barz is a junior who started last year as a sophomore and will be counted on as a leader at wide receiver. The entire offensive line returns which includes Julien Fuentes and Jason Baxter.
Connor Hill will lead things at linebacker for the Falcons defensively along with Antonio Crosby, also at linebacker, who transferred from Chester.
STARS SET TO SHINE
Ben Wakefield Ben Wakefield 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Nation Ford | 2024 State SC , TE, 2024 – Wakefield is a big, physical tight end who can catch the ball in space and knows what to do with it. He’s tough for defenders to guard because of his size.
Josh Ameo, WR, 2025 – Ameo is a rising junior who can find holes in coverage and get open. He’s quick and explosive once he gets his motor going.
Zay Neely, CB, 2024 – Neely is solid in one-on-one man coverage and he can stay stride for stride with opposing receivers.
FILM REVIEW
Braydon Flores, OLB/RB, 2024 – The Falcons will use Flores on both sides of the ball in 2023 but he was active at his linebacker spot in 2022. He reads plays well and has a good first step when rushing the passer.
UP AND COMING POTENTIAL
Mason Colunga, DL, 2026 – Allen was high on his defensive line, including Colunga, who contributed in 2022 up front.