2016 Snapshot: Aiken

Less than two years after the Aiken football hit its lowest low having lost 22 games in a row. The Falcons opened 2014 with a win followed nine straight losses and it appeared as if Aiken was going to give up football all together, there was no hope in sight.

Aiken Head Coach Jeremy Pflug (photo from Aiken HS)

Aiken made the decision to hire Jeremy Plug who had only one year of head coaching experience under his belt to resurrect the program. He did just that making the Falcons one of the feel good stories of 2015.

Before Pflug’s arrival Aiken had gone 1-9, 0-10, 0-10, 2-8, 2-8 and 1-9 in the previous six seasons. The Falcons managed to go 6-4 last fall for the program’s first winning season in over a decade. Pflug solidified himself as one of the real up and coming stars in the coaching ranks.

Expect more of the winning ways this season as Aiken returns 10 starters on defense and nine on offense. The Falcons have a legitimate shot to make the school’s first ever playoff appearance.

“We have team speed and depth at the skill positions. Our offensive line will be strong again in ‘16 as we haven’t lost a single starter from last year’s team. Our defense flies to the ball and with only one starter lost from last season, we look to improve on an impressive first season in the new 3-3 stack scheme,” Pflug says.

Division V, Region 20
2015 RECORD: 6-4, 3-2 SOPL National
COACH: Jeremy Pflug (6-4 at Aiken, one year; 13-7 overall, two years)

HONOR ROLL

Aiken Falcons: Jalen Mack(1), Demonte Reece(6), Kievaughn Sanks(5), Josh Smith (7) (photo from Aiken HS)

DeMarco Fairbanks, Jr, OG/LB – The defensive captain of the Falcons, Fairbanks was outstanding as a sophomore with 54 tackles, three-and-a-half sacks, forced three fumbles, recovered a fumble and had a 68-yard pick six. That effort earned Fairbanks First Team All-SOPL National honors.

DeQuan Freeman, Sr, WR – A First Team All-SOPL National pick as a junior, Freeman caught 37 passes for 650 yards and eight touchdowns.

Amari Jones, Sr, DE – Despite sitting out the first five games of ’15 after transferring from Winton Woods Jones, left quite an impression in the second half of the season earning Second Team All-SOPL National acclaim. “He is our strong side defensive end with speed, strength and mean streak that will terrorize tackles and their quarterbacks in 2016,” Pflug states.

Terrell Harris, Sr., SS – Harris was a Second Team All-SOPL National selection as a junior. Pflug loves the motor his secondary star has saying that, “Harris loves contact and plays with a nasty attitude while keeping receivers from coming into the middle.”

Tahjay Woodward, Sr, OL – Woodward did not give up a single sack as last season on his way to Second Team All-SOPL National accolades. He will be an anchor of a strong offensive line.

Kievaughn Sanks, So, RB/S – A rising star, the electrifying Sanks intercepted five passes and returned two punts for touchdowns as a freshman. He was named Second Team All-SOPL National for his work.

Demonte Reese, Sr, RB/LB – Reese was an Honorable Mention All-SOPL National selection as junior after rushing 678 yards, scoring six touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving) while on defense he had 38 tackles with two-and-a-half sacks and a fumble recovery. “”Reese will anchor the defense in the middle with a ferocious attack at the quarterback,” says Pflug.

Tim Williams, Jr, QB/CB – “Tim completely shut down a half of the football field last season. He is a complete lock down cornerback,” Pflug quips about Williams game. He intercepted 3 passes, defended eight more and only gave up one completed pass in one-on-one situations on his way to being named Honorable Mention All-SOPL National.

Aiken WR/OLB Josh Smith (photo from Aiken HS)

Josh Smith, Sr, WR/OLB – Injuries limited Smith to just three games in ’15 after being named Second Team All-CMAC as a sophomore. He did pick off two passes on defense and had six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown as a junior.

OTHER RETURNEES
Derrick Jones, Sr, OL – Like his classmate Woodward, Jones did not give up a single sack a year ago and will be a leader on the o-line.

Jalen Mack, Sr, WR – Should be a big part of the offense after catching 12 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns as a junior.

NEWCOMERS
Najee Powell, Jr, TE – “Najee has worked very hard during the off-season. He will take over for Isaiah Lyles at the tight end position and make an immediate impact. Has great hands and leaping ability,” Pflug states.

Ja’Quan Bennett, So, OL/DL – The six-foot-five, 300 pound Bennett started one game last season and racked up 9 tackles including three tackles for losses. He will hold down the nose tackle position for a stout Falcons d-line.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(0 appearances, 0-0)

2016 SCHEDULE
If Aiken can get to November chances are the will be in line for the program’s first ever playoff appearance. The Falcons will face some pretty stout offensive attacks which includes four away games in the first five weeks of the season – at Bishop Brossart, at Madeira, at Withrow and at Ponitz. Home tilts versus Belmont and Woodward will test Aiken’s run defense. October has all winnable at Gamble Monetessori and Clark Montessori and home affairs with CCPA and Hughes.

STOPPING THE RUN
The Falcons will need to do a better job stopping the run if they want to take a step up to the next level. Last season, Aiken gave up 72 points to Belmont and 46 to Woodward both were run-oriented teams that finished above them in the Southwest Ohio Public League National standings. The four teams that Aiken lost to had a combined record of 25-16.

SEPARATING FROM THE PACK
Aiken outscored their opponents by an average score of 36.0 to 9.3 in its six wins last season. None of those Falcons foes had a winning record or more than three victories and combined for a 14-43 mark.

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