August Martin Football 2025 Preview: New Season, New Quarterback

August Martin High School (Queens, N.Y.) football went on a late season run, winning the last three of the four games to finish the year, only to fall short of making the Public School Athletic League’s (PSAL) 2A Conference playoffs.

But for this upcoming campaign, the Falcons, now competing in the 1A Conference, have retooled, with a new quarterback ready to lead their offense into battle.

His name might sound familiar to some people who are in the know about August Martin football, as he is head coach Kyle Allen’s son: rising junior Nooa Allen, who was learning how to play the wide receiver position, and improving, he said, before breaking his arm last year.

The younger Allen has been diligently practicing with his brother Isaiah Allen, who starred on the Falcons as a two-way player for four seasons, and is now at Hudson Valley Community College honing his craft.

Perhaps lightning will strike twice for August Martin?

Additionally, Nooa has earned the praise of current NFL Baltimore Ravens linebacker Adisa Isaac, whom coach Allen coached at Brooklyn’s Canarsie High School for three seasons.

“He’s been throwing to Isaiah a lot, and he’s doing well,” the oldest Allen said. “Even Adisa said he was impressed with his development.

Moreover, “It’s his time to shine,” Allen continued. “He’s real humble, but he has his confidence up. The last time I had an Allen on my team, we went undefeated (in league play in 2021), so we’ll see.”

Working with a quarterback coach and improving, Nooa said he has a few butterflies heading into the season. But he is pumped for the year to start as his self-assurance continues to progress.

“I’m very excited, for sure,” Nooa said. “I’m a little nervous, but I’m ready. He’s (quarterback coach) been helping me a lot with my accuracy and throwing the ball farther.”

In the running backfield, the Falcons will have several viable options, Allen noted.

Rising seniors Malique Henry (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) and Samuel Augustin will get the bulk of the action, and rising sophomore Michael Glasgow, the brother of former running back Ashton Glasgow (2018), will see playing time in the backfield as well.

“He’s athletic and big as hell,” Allen said of Henry.

August Martin’s receiver corps will include rising junior Keyan Howell, rising sophomore Kaziem Burroughs, and rising senior Rochester Francis.

Allen is pretty excited with the progress of his skilled position player, giving him a measure of confidence going into 2025.

“Running backs and receivers are pretty good, so we’ll be good there,” he said.

Up front will be a group of sizable, athletic guys, all of whom are juniors expect one senior, Allen pointed out.

At tight end will be rising junior Lebron Fisher, whom Allen said, “he can run and catch the ball real well.”

As for the Falcons’ defense, Henry and rising senior Mario Brown will provide August Martin with size and talent as they pursue the opposition’s signal caller and shutting down its run attack.

“These guys are my two edge players,” Allen said. “And they’re both good and big.”

One sore spot for the Falcons’ defense, however, was its secondary, who, Allen said, took some time and patience to shape up last season. But their entire defensive unit should yield different, more productive results, especially its revamped backfield, he noted.

“My defense should be better,” a hopeful Allen speculated. “Our secondary will be significantly better than last season, much better.”

The way Allen has his team drawn up going into the year has August Martin looking pretty promising. But he is taking a wait-and-see approach heading into the campaign before he allows himself to get giddy.

“Both of my lines are big and athletic,” he said. “If they pan out early, we’ll be very good. But the name of the game is blocking and tackling, and we should able to do that. So we are good on paper, but we’ll see what happens when the lights go on. I’m comfortable going into the preseason. Let’s see what happens.”

The Falcons play two non-league tilts: host Campus Magnet on Friday, August 29th at noon, and Friday, September 5th at 3:30 p.m. to kickoff their 2025 season.

Note: If you click on the above Amazon.com hyperlink and make a purchase, I may earn a commission to help support my sports and health/food/entertainment blog.

Thank you for reading my stories and articles. Please stop by again real soon.

— Jerry Del Priore