August Martin Falcons Football Drops Preseason Matchup Versus Thomas Jefferson

A team full of young players, many of which are still learning to play football, per head coach Kyle Allen, August Martin High School (N.Y.), a Public School Athlete League (PSAL) 1A Conference squad, showed flashed of what it could do when things fall into place.

But ultimately, it was not enough to surmount Thomas Jefferson, as the Falcons fell, 14-12, in their non-league tilt to host Orange Wave Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn.

“Young kids, first year players,” Allen waxed poetically over his green team. “When you have kids that don’t know what they’re doing all the way, this is the results you get.”

August Martin found themselves trailing 6-0 in the opening quarter after a Thomas Jefferson player collided with their punter, resulting in a fumble and a short field, which led to a touchdown.

According to Allen, the Orange Wave had previously asked to avoid any physical contact during special teams play due to the fact that it was a preseason game and wanted to avoid any unnecessary injuries.

However, the play stood, as the referees did not reverse the non-call.

With that being said, junior quarterback Nooa Allen, the coach’s son, threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to junior Tyrese Vassell to tie the tilt at 6-6 midway through the first period.

Senior Rochester Francis would have had a score, but a questionable block in the back call nullified his touchdown. And it would go on to prove big (see vide below).

Thomas Jefferson took the lead, 12-6, on a 53-yard TD run, and made good on a two-point conversion rush to extend its advantage to 14-6 in late in the second half.

The younger Allen refused to be outdone, as he completed a five-yard touchdown pass to junior Lebron Fisher to slice the deficit to two points with 5:01 left in the affair. The Falcons, though, failed to convert the two-point run play when Allen hesitated a bit, just missing crossing the goal line with the ball.

After a defensive stop, August Martin would get another opportunity to win the game.

However, the older Allen said mix-ups on wide receiver routes led to the Falcons’ ultimate demise.

Though the Falcons took the defeat, it was not all doom and gloom for coach Allen.

“Our receivers are probably the strength of our team,” he said. “Our running backs are decent. We got to work on some of our blocking up front. But we’re coming along. Hopefully we did enough (in the preseason) to prepare us for the season.”

Allen completed 11 of 16 attempts for 137 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Francis caught four passes for 47 yards, while junior Keyan Howell had three receptions for 41 yards. Samuel Augustin rushed for 79 yards on seven carries.

August Martin faces Petrides Friday at 4:30 p.m. in its first league conference tilt of the campaign.

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— Jerry Del Priore