If any team in District 19-6A had the best junior varsity playing at the varsity level, then it might have been the Falcons of Katy Tompkins.
Tompkins finished with a 2-8 record, but the squad that had a bevy of sophomores and a talented freshman who gained a wealth of experience, and they picked up a district win (14-7 over Mayde Creek) along the way. They also hammered Houston Heights, 41-7, in non-district.
The Falcons went down swinging in some of their district games. The played Seven Lakes to eight points and playoff team Morton Ranch to nine (50-41).
The offense started with the arms and legs of sophomore quarterback Ryan Schmidt, who will have two more years at the helm. Freshman R.J. Smith was also a key part of the offense, which gives the Falcons hope heading into 2017 and beyond.
Key Losses
WR Payton Powell, C Reese Rusk, DB Parker Powell
Payton Powell averaged 11.6 yards per catch and had a team-high four touchdown catches. Parker Powell led the team with three interceptions and two caused fumbles.
Linebacker Bryce Washington led the Falcons with eight sacks last season.
Rusk (6-4, 260) had great size for a center, and he was a second-team selection on the all-district team.
Key Returners
QB Ryan Schmidt, RB R.J. Smith, CB/WR Victor Tademy
The numbers for Schmidt were modest last season as a sophomore who directed the Falcons offense. Then again, he was just a sophomore playing against some very talented defenses in District 19-6A.
Schmidt completed 54 percent of his passes for 714 yards. His eight touchdowns matched his interception count. Schmidt also led the team in rushing with 514 yards and three touchdowns.Smith was second on the team in rushing attempts with 76 and third in rushing with 309 yards. His three rushing scores tied Schmidt for the team lead, and Smith was only a freshman.
Tademy had 27 tackles, four pass deflections and one interception as a sophomore last season.
Verdict
The offense will be loaded the next two years, and that’s beneficial as the Falcons replace a lot of players on defense. Tompkins showed it could score last year, and they’ll be able to post more points in 2017 (and 2018) with so many underclassmen coming back.
The schedule starts with games against Humble, Beaumont Central and Heights before a district road game at Seven Lakes. The best thing the Falcons can do is play with confidence and let their youth exuberance take over.
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