CHURCH HILL — Football is a numbers game — and veteran coach Mike Castle wouldn’t mind having a few more of them on his roster for his first season as head coach at Volunteer. But he won’t use it as an excuse, and neither will his players.
In fact, the Falcons are putting in tons of extra work and brimming confidence heading into the 2024 campaign.
“We are very excited about this year. We’re ready to go out and compete. That’s the main thing, competing. We’re excited to go out and attack it each day,” said senior Caden Lafollette.
Lafollette is one of nine seniors on the Falcons’ trim 44-man roster. They’ll lead 15 juniors, 14 sophomores and six freshmen into battle in the always tough Region 1-4A division.
“What we’re striving for most as seniors is to be leaders for the teams going forward. The goal is definitely being that leader and being a role model for the future of the team,” Lafollette said.
Having 20 freshmen and sophomores might signal a rebuilding year to some. But the reality for Volunteer is that most of its sophomores was thrown into the fray as freshmen and are more battle-tested than some upper classmen elsewhere.
Take starting quarterback Jameson Mowell, for example. He’s a sophomore who played in all 10 games as a freshman.
“Right now, I feel good about our attitude. I feel like we’ve got a pretty good group of guys up front. Mowell at quarterback played 10 games last year, and he’s grown a lot. I think pitching in baseball helped him mature a lot too,” Castle said.
The Falcons also boast a stable of capable running backs, with Lafollette back from an injury along with junior Keelin Releford, sophomore Owen Fleenor and freshman Bryson Christian. Releford rushed for 826 yards last season.
“We’ve got four of them I feel like could play at any time,” Castle said. “Plus, we have Aden Parsons on the outside to give us a little speed. Then, Brock Mowell in the slot may be the best hands on the team.”
Add to that the return of tight end Isaiah Ward and Castle likes his options.
“One of the things that’s going to help us tremendously this year is getting Isaiah Ward back
(at tight end and linebacker). He got hurt last year during baseball, had surgery and has had a good summer catching the ball. It makes things a little easier when you’ve got a big tight end to throw it to out there,” Castle said.
Fleenor, a sophomore running back and linebacker, was one of those freshmen who hit the ground running for the Falcons a year ago. Though the 0-10 season was a tough one, Fleenor believes the growing pains will start to pay off.
“I feel like it gives us a lot more experience. Jameson playing quarterback as a freshman, that’s going to help him a lot this year. It’s going to help him handle the pressure and stuff like that. I think it’ll help us a lot, having played so much,” Fleenor said.
In addition to adding another target, Ward said he hopes his blocking will help the run game.
Castle, who took over as the interim head coach following the resignation of Jesse McMillan in late June, works with assistant Josh Kincannon on the offensive side of the ball. He’ll rely on Jeremy Sommers and former Church Hill Middle School head coach Jeremy Jones to coordinate the defense. Wes Bowery, Jackie Strickler and Josh Sawyer round out the coaching staff.
“We feel like we have to stop the run. We’ve got to take something away, so we’re going to play hard-nosed defense,” Castle said.
Junior lineman Elijah Housewright said the team has transitioned well to the unexpected coaching change.
“I feel like we’re going in the right direction. Everything we’re doing has been consistent, and the atmosphere is just a great atmosphere to be in,” Housewright said. “Keeping every play consistent, running it the right way and knowing what our job is, that’s ultimately what we need to do.”
It won’t be an easy road for the Falcons. But they don’t expect it be.
“Our conference is tough – and then our non-conference schedule doesn’t help us one bit. We step right in and play West Ridge and Lakeway. Right off the bat, you’re playing a 6A and a private school,” Castle said. “It’s not an easy schedule. We have to get better each week and play hard. If they play hard and give 100%, whatever happens, happens. I really believe in these kids. They’re going to give it everything they’ve got.”
Most Popular
Comments / 0