August Martin Football Shuts Out A-Tech; Locks Down PSAL Playoff Spot

August Martin High School football continues to move that proverbial train, right into the PSAL “A” Conference playoffs, that is, as the Falcons blanked A-Tech (0-8), 30-0, Sunday afternoon at New Utrecht High School Field in Brooklyn. It was the Falcons’ fourth consecutive victory.

August Martin (5-3) will make its third straight postseason appearance next week, and head coach Kyle Allen’s third in five seasons at the Queens school.

But Allen is just not satisfied with making the playoffs. He said his team has markedly improved over the season and is not the same group of guys who started the 2023 football year. He said he has big hopes for the Falcons.

“We’ve won four in a row, and we’re playing much better these days,” Allen said. “I’m confident in this team. We have many facets of the team playing the best it has been in a while going into the playoffs, especially our offense. It’s a new season now. We’ll be ready for it.”

It did not take long for August Martin to score its first touchdown. After recovering a Pistons’ fumble after two plays, junior David Bennett hit paydirt on a six-yard rush for an early 6-0 lead. Bennett, who rushed for 60 yards on eight touches, also cashed in on the ensuing two-point conversion rush for an 8-0 advantage.

Next, senior Giovanni Faulkner outran the Piston defense for a 12-yard TD run, and junior Makai Coddett (four tackles and a fumble recovery) bulldozed his way into the end zone to push the advantage to 16-0 near the end of the first half.

Using sleight of hand, junior Henry Lancaster kept the ball himself, faking a handoff one way while running in the opposite direction for a four-yard quarterback keeper score. Bennett followed with a two-point conversion rush for a 24-0 Falcon lead midway through the second period.

On the very first play of the second half, Lancaster connected with Faulkner on a 61-yard touchdown reception for a 30-0 advantage.

Faulkner, hampered by an ankle sprain a few games ago, believes his speed is back to 100 percent, evident by his two-touch performance. However, he did have aspirations for the season: surpassing a regular season school record held by former August Martin star receiver Isaiah Allen.

“I do feel like my speed is back, slowly but surely,” Faulkner said with a wide grin. “I’m all good to go. But my mindset before the game was to try and beat Isaiah’s record for regular season touchdowns, which is eight (league game only). Unfortunately, I did fall short by one. That was my motivation for the day. But we won, so that’s good.”

While the Falcons’ secondary surrendered a few deep passing plays, their run defense proved to be impenetrable, helping to keep A-Tech off the board for the entire tilt.

Junior Roman Summers led the defensive assault with five tackles, three for a loss, and a sack.

August Martin will travel to Long Island City Sunday at noon for a first-round PSAL “A” Conference playoff matchup. The Falcons will look to avenge a Week 3 6-0 overtime defeat to the Bulldogs.

— Jerry Del Priore