Firestone Falcons 2023 high school football preview
FIRESTONE FALCONS
HEAD COACH: Eric Mitchell, ninth year, 21-56
LAST YEAR: 2-8, 2-3
POSTSEASON: Division II, Region 5
RETURNING LETTERMEN (15)
Brandon Carter, OL-DL, 5-11, 225, Sr.
Juelz Causby, FL-DB, 5-10, 165, Jr.
Jalen Edwards, OL-DL, 6-0, 210, Sr.
Brandon Foster, SL-SS, 5-8, 170, Sr.
Blake Harris, OL-DL, 6-3, 260, Jr.
Kahlil Herring, WR-S, 6-3, 180, Sr.
Cardae Humphrey, RB-LB, 5-9, 180, Sr.
Mario Jones, FL-DB, 5-9, 165, Jr.
Daniel Peterson, RB-LB, 5-10, 175, Jr.
Joseph Reed, WR-DB, 6-0, 160, Jr.
Tony Shellman, TE-LB, 6-1, 220, Sr.
Gucci Stephens, FL-DB, 5-7, 150, Soph.
Daylyn Taylor, QB-DB, 5-9, 160, Jr.
Micah Townsend, RB-LB, 5-10, 190, Jr.
Alex Tyler, OL-DL, 6-1, 260, Jr.
IMPACT PLAYERS: Firestone features a blend of experienced seniors and juniors. The Falcons' top returning running back, quarterback and offensive linemen are juniors. ... "Our running back Daniel Peterson is coming back from an injury," Mitchell said. "He set the Firestone school record for most rushing yards in a game with 273 yards against Copley last season. We have two returning offensive linemen in Blake Harris and Alex Tyler. Our quarterback Daylyn Taylor, who was a part-time starter last year [with Prince Winchester], is back as well. Brandon Foster and Brandon Carter are seniors returning that played last season for us. We have a variety of kids coming back that are going to be impactful." ... Peterson was limited to 5½ games last season as a sophomore, but in that time he ran for 647 yards and five touchdowns on 92 carries and also caught one TD pass. ... Kahlil Herring is another returning senior leader. ... "Our seniors and juniors work well together, and that is something that is very rewarding and exciting to be a part of in our environment at Firestone," Mitchell said.
WHAT'S NEW: Mitchell said five newcomers to the starting lineup that he expects to make immediate contributions are seniors Matthew White (WR-S), William Calhoun (TE-DL) and Cupid Atkins (OL-DL) and juniors Dionte Younger (RB-LB) and Isaiah Ramer (WR-TE-S). ... "Isaiah and Dionte did not play last season," Mitchell said. "They are two special kids who are going to contribute on both sides of the ball for us and make some things happen." ... Mitchell said Firestone has new green and white uniforms this season to go along with last year's green, white and black uniforms they will also still wear. ... Additionally, Mitchell said Firestone is going back to wearing green helmets this season with a logo to be unveiled later this month. The Falcons have worn white helmets in recent years with a green falcon on each side. ... "We have a new look," Mitchell said. "... This will be something different for our kids."
OUTLOOK: Firestone defeated North and Ellet by double digits in Weeks 8 and 9 last season and struggled against its other opponents. ... "We are looking to take the next step competitively," Mitchell said. "We should be better record-wise, but it is not the record that we are going to focus on. We are going to focus on being able to compete week in and week out and build on that and try to get better everyday on the field. ... The championship still has to go through Buchtel and East. Garfield beat us last year [in double overtime] as well. They get my respect. We respect all of the teams in our league: Buchtel, East, Garfield, Ellet and North. It is just that I think everybody is looking up to Buchtel and East."
Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school football: Firestone Falcons 2023 preview
