Falcons spreading their wings

The Foothills Falcons are saying bye, bye fly it’s time to spread things around.

The Falcons are using a west-coast style spread offence this year and are dialing back on the fly, which they have used for the last several high school football seasons.

“The fly is no longer the bulk of the offence, we are going to spread things out a little more,” said Falcons offensive coordinator Jayson Krause.

Foothills Composite High School finished with a un-Falcon like 3-5 record in 2011, but they are expecting better things with a new offence and more importantly, a year’s experience under their belt.

The reason they want to spread things out is because the Falcons may have their best receiving corps since Calgary Stampeder Anthony Parker graduated in 2007.

“We have a great corps of receivers,” Krause said. “Hunter Karl is back after playing a year in Chestermere. He was one of the best receivers in the province as a Bantam two years ago.”

He’s also got the genes to be a Falcon receiver. His two older brothers, Kyle (Class of 2010) and Devin (Class of 2012) were both outstanding receivers for the Falcons.

Also catching the ball will be Garrett Young, a Grade 11 student.

“He has really grown into a good receiver,” Krause said.

At slotback is Jake “Tulsa” Hunter, who has power and speed. Also seeing action will be Grade 11 student Rory Forrester, who showed speed to burn with the Falcons’ track team last spring.

Krause added T.J. Tighe, a Grade 10 student who moved to the Okotoks area from Florida, has also been impressive in the first week of camp.

Pulling the trigger for the Falcons’ offence is quarterback Taylor Armsworthy, a Grade 12 student who admitted he struggled last year in what was his first full season under centre.

“Last year was a big learning experience just getting used to the pace of high school football,” Armsworthy said. “I got used to it and I will be a better quarterback this year.”

Armsworthy’s back to school report on “How I spend the summer vacation” would be short and sweet: “Football”

He went to camps at Eastern Washington University, Brigham Young University and the University of Calgary. He also spent his spare time pushing weights and working on his foot speed and passing accuracy.

He said he expects the Falcons to be much improved this year.

“This year we have competition at every position,” Armsworthy said. “It’s going to be a good year for us.”

The Falcons will be young at running back, but they have some blossoming talent.

The lead running back trying to get through those seams will likely be Grade 11 student Josh Koshman. The hard-working Koshman is coming back from a shoulder injury.

“He is recovering from an injury, but he’s full-steam ahead and looking really good,” Krause said.

Also vying for spots at running back is Grade 10 student Brenden Hansen, who was a Calgary Bantam Football Association all-star with the Foothills Eagles last year. Another ex-Eagle, Matthew Hunter, who is more of a pounder, will see some action in the backfield as well. The Falcons also have a transfer from Thunder Bay, Reece Girardin, who will also help carry the pigskin for the Falcons.

Falcons head coach Greg McLeod said the defence should be stronger this season due to having another year under their belt.

“We definitely have more competition for playing time this year and I hope that translates into bringing out the best on the field,” McLeod said.

The Falcons have two returning veterans on the defensive line including Ben Myers at defensive tackle.

“He learned the game last year and we are expecting big things from him this year,” McLeod said.

The rangy and quick Ryan Cole is expected to terrorize quarterbacks and contain the outside from his defensive end position.

“He is a great athlete with good reach and a good motor,” McLeod said. “He should have a good Grade 12 year.”

McLeod has only one Falcons who can be written into the starting line-up in pen at linebacker.

Cody Thompson will once again be wrestling down opponents from outside linebacker.

“Really the other positions are wide open,” McLeod said. “I wouldn’t want to say who is going to be there at this time.”

The Falcons secondary is deep.

“Taylor Armsworthy and Hunter will be back there,” McLeod said. “Brenden Hansen is expected to fit in, but it hasn’t been determined quite yet where everybody will be… We have a bunch of offensive guys who can play a role back there. Guys like Hunter Karl, Garrett Young and Rory Forrester can help out on the defensive side of the ball and give us more depth.”

McLeod has penciled in Armsworthy to handle the placekicking duties. Tighe could possibly handle some of the kicking duties.

The Falcons will kickoff their 2012 season by hosting the Brooks Buffaloes at Foothills Composite High School at 5 p.m.

Look for an advancer on the Holy Trinity Academy Knights in next week’s issue.

[email protected]