HEAD COACH: Jason Tester, 2nd season, 3-7 ♦ 2022 RECORD: 6-13 ♦ REGION: 8-5A
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Falcons have moved on from last season's dismal finish.
The 2022 campaign ended with only three wins, their worst record (3-7) since 2016. It was only the second time in 18 years the program had finished a season with a losing record.
Head coach Jason Tester said the lessons learned last season could pay dividends in 2023 and beyond.
"It was really the best thing for us. I hated it for that group of seniors because they were a phenomenal group of young men," Tester said. "For where our program was at culturally, in terms of kind of shocking the system, that gave me an opportunity to say, 'alright, here's where we're at, and here's how we're going to move forward.'"
The Falcons have used the offseason to fine-tune their personnel and will play the best 11 on both sides of the football.
"In terms of personnel, you know, kind of fine-tune in that," he said. "We're of the mindset that our best 11 need to be on the field at all times. So you know, if that means a guy plays, you know, both offense and defense, then we'll do that."
There are certainly some pieces Flowery Branch can look to move forward with. The 3-7 record belies what, at times, was a competitive football team last year.
The Falcons lost one-possession heartbreakers to Winder-Barrow and Loganville, and turnovers doomed them in a low-scoring defensive battle with Clarke Central. Flip at least two of those three results, and The Branch is back in the playoffs for the sixth year in a row.
Instead, Tester and his team will have to attempt to start a new streak this year. They'll also be breaking in a new offensive coordinator, Michael Hill, who came from Cherokee Bluff.
Josh Oliver takes the reins of the offense after being the backup last year to then-senior Brody Jordan. The Falcons also boosted the quarterback room with Buford transfer Tristan Gabreals.
"Josh has really had a roller coaster in terms of, you know, his career here with us," Tester said. "You know, he deserved that opportunity last year. And when he got his opportunity, he took it in, absolutely owned it, and that, you know, led to my confidence in him."
Gabreals was set to start for Buford until the nation's No. 1 quarterback, Dylan Raiola, transferred from Chandler High in Arizona.
Tester said the job is Oliver's to lose.
"My initial conversation with Josh, when I got wind of Tristan enrolling, was look, you are our guy, you've earned it," he said. "But then, it was centered on 'hey, you need to be pushed. Here's a kid [Gabreals] who's had a similar experience, and Tristan is a great kid. So, here's a chance for you to grow and battle and push each other. Honestly, it's Josh's to lose. I have all the confidence in the world in Josh, and he's been elite in his preparation and focus since Tristan got here.
"The message to Tristan was, you know, what are you looking for? What type of football culture and, you know, here's what we're about, and you will have an opportunity to contribute to this team, and you'll have an opportunity to compete for that spot. If Josh doesn't lose it, can you be a football player? He said that he just wants to be a part of something special in the culture we've established and how we value our kids. I don't know how it's going to play out, but I expect us to push and support each other. And, at the end of the day, if they both deserve to be on the field, we'll figure that out."
At running back, Myles Ivey graduated, but senior Malik Dryden looks more than ready to take the lead role in the backfield after recovering from a turf toe suffered last season. Frankie Perez, Jacob Parker and freshman Donovan Kidd will also appear in the backfield.
Jeremiah Ware is another returning playmaker that will see snaps at running back and wide receiver, among other positions. The junior appeared at running back, receiver and kick returner last year.
The Falcons look to have one of the top returning receivers in the area in senior Seth Larson. Larson, who is also a three-time state champion wrestler, had over 500 yards receiving his sophomore season but missed most of 2022 with an injury. In what action he did see, Larson made a splash, including a 17-reception performance against Loganville in Oliver's first career start. Junior Jeremiah Ware, Jordan Elder, Elijah Keep and Cameron Campbell will also be targeted.
Seniors Ethan Fetterman and Cam Haynes will give Flowery Branch a solid option at tight end.
On the offensive line, Tester said four players have stood out in the offseason. Senior Garrett Harper will anchor at center, with junior Tony Mejia starting at one tackle spot. Senior Alfredo Rubio is expected to start at either guard or tackle, and junior Josh Pacheko is likely to see a lot of snaps at guard.
Tester also brings in a new defensive coordinator as Jarrod Rickman comes over from defending Class 7A state champion, Mill Creek. He replaces last year's defensive coordinator Scott Jackson, who is changing roles to the Falcons' offensive line coach.
Tester himself is a former defensive coordinator but will hand over the play-calling job to Rickman.
"We sat down after spring," Tester said. "I told him if you have full access to implement his defense, and after he took me through a very detailed conversation, it said, 'it's yours." He's absolutely crushing it right now. We're excited about that. I'll still be in that room quite a bit, but he's doing a great job."
Tester said there will be a lot of players who will play on both sides of the ball this season. On the defensive line, offensive starters Ethan Fetterman and Tony Mejia are expected to start. Fetterman will primarily play at defensive end, with Mejia at nose guard.
The defense will be anchored by inside linebacker Cam Haynes, who returns for what will be his third season as a full-time starter at the position. Fellow senior Frankie Perez also returns, giving the Falcons one of the top linebacking units in the region.
Jordan Elder, Griffin Harper, and Malik Dryden will rotate at outside linebacker.
In the secondary, seniors Jaylen Furgeson and Jalen Augustine will start at the two corner spots, with Seth Larson able to rotate in when needed. Elijah Kiep, Ty Akins and Tanner Renard are the top options at safety, with Elder also able to rotate to that position.
PLENTY OF SKILLS ON OFFENSE
Michael Hill takes over as offensive coordinator and will implement a style similar to what was seen last year, with an offense that will look to spread defenses out and create space for several talented skill players. Tester also said they will look to use some of those playmakers at a variety of positions within the offense.
"The way that coach Hill's offense is set up, he can put any of our skill guys where he wants them. If he wants them split, if he wants them in the slot, if he wants them in the backfield. He's very good at spreading the ball sideline-to-sideline, vertically and horizontally, and using our guys in positions to make plays."
NEW COORDINATOR, SAME GOALS
Flowery Branch may be on their third defensive coordinator in as many seasons but don't expect the philosophy to change much. Jason Tester is still running the show, and he called the defense in the spring. The Falcons will have two outstanding inside linebackers and experience at other key positions to ensure another strong unit this year.
"We will be multiple, predominantly in front of us, and that's along my mindset as well. If our personnel dictates even front, then we'll do that. It depends week to week on who we're playing. We want to make sure our kids understand what it is that we're doing and just put them in a position to be successful. So, alignment, assignment and execution."
WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS
The Falcons return three of the top offensive weapons in Region 8-5A in running back Malik Dryden, receiver Seth Larson and all-purpose star Jeremiah Ware. Add in experienced tight end Ethan Fetterman, and new starting quarterback Josh Oliver will have plenty of weapons to get the ball to.
BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS
Tester's only question is how his team starts each game. Tester said in several games last season, the Falcons dug themselves a hole early on, which led to the 3-7 finish.
"That was kind of the knock on us last year as we started slow. And then, by the time we decided to crank it up a couple of times, it was too late. You know, the Lambert was a great football team, quarterfinals, a region champion, and we spotted them three touchdowns. And then from there, you know, we win the other three quarters. You know, same thing with Loganville. We spotted them three, and then we had an opportunity to win the ballgame. So that's probably the biggest question mark: how will our kids come out of the gate?
A BRUTAL SCHEDULE
Identifying which games on Flowery Branch's schedule won't be key may be easier. The non-region schedule is one of the toughest the Falcons have ever had with Decatur, private school power St. Piusk, defending Region 8-3A champion Stephens County and a Lambert team that made the second round of the Class 7A state playoffs last year. Once they get into region play, things don't get much easier with Jefferson returning another strong team and Loganville, Clarke Central and Eastside are all expected to be quality opponents. Tester said his team will need to stay disciplined week-to-week if they want to get back to the playoffs.
"We're expecting the exact same thing (as last year), to be in a battle every single week," Tester said. "Our mindset is, our regular season is going to prepare us for free football, getting back to the playoffs. Being battle-tested and being able to play four quarters of solid, fundamental football is the only way to win ball games."
Bo Wilson contributed to this story.
