Rust, Lightning Have August Martin Football Tying Columbus in Non-League Action to Open Season

August Martin High School football (AAAA) looked every bit of a work-in-progress team in its PSAL non-league game against Christopher Columbus Campus (AAA) to kick off the season Saturday in the Bronx.

The Falcons drove the ball inside the Blue Steels’s five-yard line before being pushed back to the 15, But, on fourth and long, lightning forced the referees to call the game at a zero-to-zero stalemate late in the third quarter.

August Martin head coach Kyle Allen said that he expected to have some work to do, especially on offense, given the inexperience at some key positions and certain players being out, with first- and second-string backs Shawn Webb and Chris Saunders, respectively, sidelined.

It forced Allen to move senior speedster Giovanni Faulkner out of position.

Additionally, the Falcons were playing in their first tilt of the 2023 campaign.

“We had a slow day on offense because it was our first game of the season and the first game of my quarterback’s (Henry Lancaster,) life,” Allen explained.  “He was a little apprehensive and nervous.”

With a few exceptions, August Martin’s defense played well, he noted.

“Our defense played lights out. Rowayne McKenzie looked good, and so did E.J. Salazar, he said. “But unfortunately, the adults were too eager to get home and not let the kids finish the game. We were only on our second offense drive of the second half, and we were in the red zone.”

McKenzie, a junior, recorded two sacks and Salazar, a senior, was in on a number of tackles. Junior Makai Coddett blocked a punt attempt.

Allen, who wasn’t all gloom and doom, put it all in perspective, saying that the Falcons’ defense is typically ahead of its offense early on in the season. 

“Some bright spots, though, and some things to clean up, but offense is always slower to get on pace than defense,” the fifth-year coach said. “We’ll be fine. We just have to get our running back back next week so Gio can go back to the slot (position) and we can run the offense the way we originally planned.

“Chris should be back for Thursday,” Allen continued, “and we have a few new kids, so let’s see what happens.” 

August Martin travels back to the Bronx to face Mott Haven Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

– Jerry Del Priore