Falcons may finally have the best of both worlds

FLOWERY BRANCH — It can be hard to get all the stars to align at the same time. Just ask Flowery Branch head coach Ben Hall.

In 2019, the Falcons had one of the top defenses in the state of Georgia across classifications, allowing just 14.5 points per game. However, a preseason injury to quarterback Elijah Gainey (now at South Alabama) forced then-sophomore David Renard into service far earlier than expected, and the offense struggled late in the year. The Falcons lost in a 14-7 slugfest at Cartersville in the playoffs.

In 2020, Renard matured and Flowery Branch saw an offensive renaissance. Renard led Class 4A in passing yards for the season and directed a unit that averaged 35 points per game, their best total since 2011. That defense that was so stifling in 2019, however, graduated much of its lineup and a young group had some growing pains early in the year.

Fast-forward to 2021, and Hall and staff may finally have a unit with the experience and talent on both sides of the ball to put a deep postseason run together.

“We’re definitely more experienced going into this season than we have been in the last couple overall,” Hall said. “We feel like we’re ahead of where we’ve been.”

When you’re as close as Flowery Branch has been the past four seasons to a deep run, the line between wins and losses in November can be slim, so a little more experience may go a long way. Of course, actually having a normal offseason this year will help as well.

“It was a year for the books in a lot of ways, and I don’t want to have to go through another season like that with all the extra-curriculars we had to deal with,” Hall said. “We lost spring practice and then the summer was abbreviated to say the least. We had nine new starters defensively and you say, ‘alright boys, we’ve got three weeks to get ready for St. Pius.”

The Falcons lost that season opener to St. Pius X and allowed an average of 30 points per game defensively over their first six games. However, they overcame those struggles with an outstanding offense and managed a 4-2 start.

As the season wore on, the young defense adjusted and cut opposing scoring in half to 15 points per game over the final six games.

Nine starters from that unit return to the 2021 starting lineup and also returning is former Flowery Branch defensive coordinator Jason Tester, who spent one year at Brookwood after leading the Falcon defense for three years. It all points to a potentially excellent unit this season.

“You look at our people on defense, we started a freshman at middle linebacker, Cam Haynes, and that’s the first time I’ve ever done that,” Hall said. “We’re excited about the leaders on defense.”

Haynes returns to the lineup along with Christian Mendoza and Hunter Adams to form what looks to be a stout group.

The secondary could be just as strong as it returns nearly every starter from 2020 and is highlighted by senior Jaheim Hayes who will also star at receiver.

Offensively, there is plenty of reason for optimism as Renard returns at quarterback after a breakout junior campaign. Now in his senior year, Hall said he expects more big things.

“I’m not going to say that was unexpected, but everybody thought we had changed our offense completely and were slinging the ball over the field and that was not the case, he was just ultra-efficient,” Hall said. “He’s a really intelligent kid not only on the football field, but in the classroom too and he’s just determined to be better.”

Better would be something special with the number Renard put up in 2020. He will, however, need to find new targets after the graduation of receivers Connor Larson and Ryan Lusco and the loss of tight ends Sal Sengson and Baxley O’Brien.

Hayes will be one of the top candidates to fill that void at receiver and Hall said they have plenty of fresh faces who he believes are ready to step up. Camo Campbell returns after catching four touchdowns last year along with Nick Linkowski. Sam Westbrook will start at tight end.

At running back, Myles Ivey will return. He entered the 2020 season as a backup but ended up starting much of the season as starter Jaizen Ellingham dealt with injuries. Ivey proved to be a threat both in the running game and as a receiver out of the backfield.

The question will be who will fill in behind Ivey, as Hall’s offensive system has been one that thrives on a ground game that has traditionally featured several backs. Sophomore Malik Dryden looks to be the top option.

The running game will need strong play from the offensive line, as always. Flowery Branch will replace two strong starters from last year in Daniel Tulk and Cody Bradford.

There are three starters back, however, anchored by Jonathan Garrison who started every game in 2020.

“That’s the position that’s really hard to replace, so we’re glad to have Jonathan back,” Hall said.

In a season that saw many cancellations and last-minute schedule changes around the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Flowery Branch was one of the fortunate teams that was able to play every game on their schedule. That means while some teams have very different-looking slates this year, the Falcons will have a familiar lineup.

They open the season on the road at St. Pius X in Atlanta in week one. They follow that with a home game with Dawson County before the annual rivalry matchup with Gainesville. They won last year’s battle on a go-ahead touchdown pass from Renard with under a minute to play.

“We’ve been blessed to be able to win three straight and we’re going to have to outdo ourselves this year to have a chance. They’re a very talented 7A program,” Hall said.

Flowery Branch opens Region 8-4A play with their toughest test of the region slate as they travel to defending region champion and Class 4A runner up Jefferson. Last year, the Falcons watched the Dragons turn a close matchup in the first half into a blowout win at a rain-drenched Falcon Field. Few would be surprised if the winner of the game this year once again wins the region.

Hall, however, says the region is talented from top to bottom.

“Jefferson is obviously a big game, but we then go to North Oconee,” Hall said. “Just like every year, we’re going to have to improve week to week and by the time we get to the region schedule, hopefully be playing our best football.”

If Flowery Branch can find answers in the few positions they have to replace, such as receiver and defensive line, they could be poised for one of their best seasons in recent memory.

“Overall character is a strength of this group,” Hall said. “We’re not going to turn any heads when we go out on the field just size-wise or speed-wise, but they’re a fun group to coach and high-character so that is definitely pleasing for me.”

Hopefully, the Falcons can please him even more on the field this fall.