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Falkville Blue Devils
By RUSSELL FRYE
TThe Falkville Blue Devils move into a new region in year two under head coach Seth Ward. They leave 2A Region 7 and join 2A Region 8.
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The Blue Devils enter the 2022 season after missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2016. In addition, their season was plagued by injuries to multiple key starters. Falkville will take the field looking to learn from last season’s mistakes and make a return trip to the playoffs. The Blue Devils look to contend for a region championship with eight starters returning on offense and seven on defense. They have question marks at running back, wide receiver, and the kicking game.
However, Ward has a two-year starter in
Caden Burnett returning at the quarterback position and four offensive linemen with three years of experience leading the team.
RUNNING BACKS
Ward will be looking to replace last year’s starter, Jordan Greenfield. The first man up will be sophomore Denver Comstock. He has impressed his coaches with his work ethic and knowledge of the game
QUARTERBACKS
Senior Caden Burnett will return to Falkville for his second year as a starter. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound quarterback has had a strong offseason and has matured to be Ward’s coach on the field. Last season, Burnett totaled 1,208 yards passing and 11 touchdowns while throwing only three interceptions in nine games. His backup will be sophomore Landon Powers. Powers started one game last season and stepped in for Burnett after an injury in the Tanner game.
2022 SCHEDULE
Aug. 19: @ Vinemont Aug. 26: Danville Sept. 2: Sheffield * Sept. 9: @ Tanner * Sept. 16: Hatton * Sept. 23: Bye week Sept. 30: @ Lexington * Oct. 7: Red Bay * Oct. 14: Addison Oct. 21: Tharptown * Oct. 28: @ Winston County
*Region game Coach Seth WARD
CLASSIFICATION
2A Region 8
2021 RECORD
4-6 (2-4)
HEAD COACH
Seth Ward
RECORD
4-6 (second year)
ASSISTANT COACHES
Jace Wilemon, Cody McClain, Billy Eason, Trace Donahoo, Tim Womack, Chance Ellsworth, Austin Bentley
LAST REGION TITLE
2018
LAST PLAYOFF GAME
2020
Falkville’s Caden Burnett, left, and David Lockhart (3) will be seniors for the Blue Devils this season.
[JERONIMO NISA]
over the summer. They have several other options, including senior Lawson Tew and freshman Brody Bennett.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Returning for the Blue Devils will be senior Isaiah Warnick. Warnick can stretch the field in the Falkville offense. Kole Fitzgerald and Tew. Tew is the Blue Devils’ best route runner and will be called on to get those tough yards in short yardage situations. Hunter Franklin and Powers will also see time at receiver.
Town Council
Good Luck Blue Devils, Have aGreat Season!
OFFENSIVE LINE
Four starters return on the offensive line to anchor the Blue Devils’ offense. Brock Puckett is entering his second year as a
COLORS PRECISION PAINT &BODY
COLLIS SION N SPECIALIS STS S
Pictured ltor:Charlie Gover, Brandon Dillard, DavidCarroll, MayorKen Winkles, Alton Hill, Jimmie Walker
Falkville High School Falkville Town Hall
Townof Falkville
ASmallTownisLikeaBigFamily
497652-1
Decatur Heritage W 34-30 @ Danville L 27-7 @ Whitesburg Christian W 54-12 Pisgah W 35-22 Bye week Cold Springs W 49-7 Section L 21-6 @ Tanner L 35-28 @ Ider L 14-0 North Sand Mountain L 29-13 Winston County L 64-22
2021 STATS
Offense Total points: 248 Per game: 24.8 County rank: 5th
Defense Points allowed: 251 Per game: 25.1 County rank: 7th
5-YEAR WIN TREND
2021: 4 2020: 8 2019: 7 2018: 11 2017: 7
starter, while Lorenzo Ochoa and Cody White are entering their third year as a starter. Joining them is Austin Melson, who would be entering his third year as a starter if not for losing time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, Trey Hemming, Bryant Owens, Jacob Jackson and Jackson Dabbs are fighting for the fifth spot.
Hunter FRANKLIN
NO. NAME
2022 FALKVILLE ROSTER
POSITION GRADE NO. NAME POSITION GRADE NO. NAME POSITION GRADE
1 Landon Powers QB/WR/DB 10 2 Judson Tew WR/S 9 3 David Lockhart LB/RB 12 4 Lawson Tew OLB/WR 12 6 Jackson Edmonson LB 11 7 Caden Burnett QB/DB 12 8 Ryan Childers WR/DB 9 9 Logan Fowler WR/DB 9 10 Levi Lynn WR/LB 11 11 Hunter Franklin WR/DB 12 12 Cash Lawrimore WR/DB 9 14 Ancel Meza DL/TE 9 15 Brodie Bennett RB/DB 9 21 Landen Horton DL/TE 9 22 Kole Fitzgerald WR/DB 11 24 Thomas Williams TE/LB 11 25 Avery Bramlett WR/LB 11 28 Denver Comstock RB/LB 10 32 Caden McDonald LB/TE 11 33 Isaiah Warnick WR/DB 12 34 Mason Moore LB/WR 10 40 Caleb Duling DL/TE 11 42 Malachi Collett LB 11 52 Brock Puckett OL/DL 12 53 Trey Hemming OL/DL 10 54 Jackson Dabbs OL/DL 11 55 Lorenzo Ochoa OL/DL 12 58 Asa Key OL/DL 9 60 Austin Melson OL/DL 12 64 Cody White OL/DL 12 66 Bryant Owens OL/DL 10 69 Landon Wilhite OL/DL 9 74 Jacob Jackson OL/DL 10 80 Cedric Beavers TE/DL 11
“The line will be the strongest unit on the offense,” Ward said. “They have the experience to lead in tough situations.”
Freshmen Asa Key and Landon Wilhite will grow into the position and eventually provide additional depth.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Ochoa, Melson and White will lead the defensive line. Ochoa is a four-year starter, having seen time as a freshman. Melson and White saw time last season as starters. Owens, Dabbs and Hemming will provide depth.
LINEBACKERS
Jackson Edmonson is the leader at linebacker for the Blue Devils. Dave Lockhart and Malachi Collett, who led the team in tackles last season, also return as starters. In addition, Thomas Williams, Caden McDonald, Levi Lynn, and Avery Bramlett will be called to provide additional depth.
“The strength of the defense is our linebackers,” Ward said. “We have eight or nine guys who can play the position.”
SECONDARY
Burnett will be the secondary leader as he enters his third year as a starter. Joining him will be Franklin and Powers at the corners. Tew is returning to the safety position. Also, Warnick and Bennett will see time in secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Our placekicking position will be a work in progress as the Blue Devils are still searching for someone to take over following the graduation of Greenfield. Burnett will handle the punting duties.
BREAKOUT POTENTIAL
Trey Hemming, who saw some playing time as a freshman, has had a good offseason and has positioned himself to become a special player in the Blue Devils’ offensive line. Sophomore Landon Powers will see time at multiple positions on both offense and defense. Denver Comstock, who is getting the first shot at the running back position, has worked on and off the field to have a big season.
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Caden BURNETT
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