August Martin Football Eyes Bounce Back 2023 Season

Last year did not go the way August Martin High School (Queens) Football had anticipated.

An unfortunate school incident forced a few players to the sidelines while others had to be shuffled in order to fill the voids.

That left the Falcons, without much depth to begin with, in a pinch. Plus, two players they had counted on, transferred to another Queens school after a few tilts.

From there, August Martin struggled, posting a 3-4 record. But the Falcons, now in the PSAL low A Division of four football levels, did make the B Conference playoffs, only to lose, 36-6, to Kipp NYC College Prep in the first round.

However, head coach Kyle Allen said things will be different this season, acknowledging that last year was tough. But his returning players from last campaign are better because of what they endured, hardships and all, he stressed.

“We didn’t have the depth to withstand the big blow we had last year,” Allen explained. “We had the brothers, and they were going to be good players, but they transferred to Beach Channel.

“But I’m fine with the guys we have right now,” he continued. “I’m comfortable with them.”

One of those players is junior quarterback Henry Lancaster, who suffered a broken wrist that kept him out of action last season. Allen went as far saying that he throws well but possesses more running ability than former Falcons’ standout signal caller from two previous years, Christopher Davis.

“We’ll be able to throw like we did two years ago,” the Brooklyn native said. “Henry is going to be a bigger threat to run than Chris.”

Lancaster’s confidence has grown, thanks in part to the coaching staff’s ability to teach and instill self-belief in August Martin’s players, he noted.

“I have a strong feeling, under coach Allen, that we’ll be good,” Lancaster affirmed. “I feel I’m (already) really showing that I’m prepared to play.”

Another gifted player is senior elusive speedster Giovanni Faulkner, who rushed for 458 yards and four touchdowns, but tried to do more than he needed to at times, Allen said.

Faulkner, with some added muscle weight to his small frame, said that he feels even faster than he was in 2022, which should take his game to another level.

“I was telling my father, ‘I don’t know where all this speed came from,”‘ Faulkner said with a laugh.

But Allen said, make no mistake, defense will be the strength of the team, especially when it comes to the defensive line.

“Our defense will be like it was two years ago,” the Long Island resident said. “Last year’s interior wasn’t so bad. We just couldn’t cover the pass.

“Defensive pressure will be up to par,” the veteran coach added. “Our defensive front will be so much better. We’ll move some guys around in the secondary, but we should be good there.”

Junior Rowayne McKenzie, while he said last year was tough for the Falcons, he is confident things will be different this campaign. Allen will have McKenzie, who recorded 22 stops and three sacks in 2022, situated on the “weakside, the blindside, speed side. So, the sacks should come for him,” Allen stated.

Junior defensive end/offensive tackle Roman Summers (10 tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries) believes that last season benefited the Falcons as a whole.

“I feel the same way as the team does,” Summer said of the predicted August Martin improvement. “Because everyone is more experienced, we’re going to be better.”

One of the biggest and strongest players on the squad is junior Makai Coddett, a 330-pound defensive/offensive lineman that Allen describes as a force to be reckoned with who moves like a player who is lighter than his robust weight.

The two-way lineman loves to get after it on defense, but he said he is more than willing to lend his talents to the O-line.

“I feel I’m more effective on defense, but I enjoy playing offense, too,” Coddett said.

Add in two-way senior Edgardo (E.J.) Salazar, a self-proclaimed blitz-happy player, and you have the makings of a solid defensive, if not an overall team. Salazar gives credit to the desire for team improvement, especially on defense, to the devotion to the sport.

“”I feel like I’m interested in blitzing, most diffidently,” said Salazar, who caught four passes for 98 yards, and made 23 tackles with a pickoff and touchdown. “I feel there’s way more (team) commitment to defense. I feel very good about it.”

The Falcons will travel to the Bronx on Saturday, September 9th at noon to kick off the season against Columbus in a pre-season tilt.

— Jerry Del Priore