Fitch replenishes with another talented group

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Over the years, people around the Valley have grown accustomed to the talent throughout the Austintown Fitch football program . They saw it again last year when the program sent nearly double-digit players to the next level to continue their college football careers, and now they have to fill some of those spots.

“We graduated a lot of guys who played a lot of games for us, and now it’s time to turn the page,” Falcons head coach TJ Parker said. “There’s a lot of opportunities for a lot of guys to step in and fill some shoes, and they’re excited to show what they got.”

The Falcons are onto the next chapter, but the cupboard isn’t bare, led on defense by senior linebacker Rocco DiFlorio and his more than 100 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

“I love the… pressure of like, all the people, all my teammates. They look up to me, and it’s a good feeling to be in this position,” DiFlorio said.

Offensively, they’ll ease a new signal caller in with a menacing offensive line and run game, with Deon’Dray Richard at full-time running back after averaging more than 7 yards per carry a season ago.

“We have another young horse in Deon’Dray Richard, who we believe can be one of the best running backs in the area behind this o-line,” Parker said.

It’s a big offensive line that features three-year starter Trenton Ciccarelli and company.

“Looking at these guys, you could take a look at them. I mean, hey, we’re all big, we’re all really physical,” Ciccarelli said. “You go ask every single one of them — if you ask them if they’re ready for pads, they’ll all tell you, yes, they’re ready to get some physical in.”

“That’s a unit, they are big and have been working very hard and been together, and we have a little depth there,” Parker said.

Even after a few key Falcons flew the nest, the end goal is still the same for this group.

“We’re looking to win, there’s nothing else we want more than winning every single game,” DiFlorio said. “Win every practice, win every lift, winning just every day, like internally and on the outside, on a big stage.”

The Falcons open up the season at home against Euclid at Greenwood Chevrolet Austintown Fitch Falcon Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23. View the full Fitch football schedule here .

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