Fort Campbell stumbled to a 1-10 record in 2019, bowing out in the first round of the 2A playoffs at the hands of eventual state runner-up Mayfield. Head coach Josh Robins exited after three seasons at the helm, being replaced by interim coach Jeff Rodgers, a former Falcon assistant for 12 seasons under coaches Marshall Patterson, Rocky Cobb, and Josh McKillip.
The Falcons must replace their top two offensive weapons, with both quarterback Matthew Middleton and WR/DB Jordan Edwards moving on to the college ranks. They also graduate some bulk up front, with Fala and Praise Kuata , Kevin Rhodd, and JT Wortham all moving on.
Just as they did in 2019, the Falcons will open the season against Crittenden County, this time on the road in Marion. The Rockets were 43-14 winners last season on post, with most of the players that did the damage against the Falcons returning this year. Junior Xander Tabor ran for 97 yards and two scores, while also intercepting Falcon quarterback Matt Middleton. Junior Tyler Boone hauled in a TD pass and had an interception on the defensive side, while junior Caden McCalister forced a fumble and recovered two, returning one for a touchdown. Jordan Edwards and Nathaniel Massey were the bright spots for the Falcons, with Edwards making 7 catches for 81 yards and a score, and Massey rushing for 69 yards with a touchdown.
Next up for the Falcons will be a visit from Trigg County, 51-14 victors over Fort Campbell last season in the Wildcat Chevrolet Kickoff Classic in Cadiz. The Falcons couldn’t slow down Trigg quarterback Cam Jordan, as he accounted for 4 touchdowns on 185 yards passing and 139 yards on the ground. Middleton connected with Edwards twice in the endzone for the Falcons, while Massey ran for 54 yards. Fort Campbell won’t have to deal with Jordan this year, as he signed to continue his career at the Air Force Academy. In addition to 19 other seniors, the Wildcats also lose RB/LB Cade Bleidt. Bleidt’s 485 yards rushing and 9 TDs were second on the team, while his 123 total tackles were almost double the next highest total.
The third week of the season will see a game with an interesting storyline when Todd County Central makes its way to post. It will be the return of coach Josh Robins, who traded the Blue and Grey of Fort Campbell for the Red and Gray of the Rebels in the offseason. Robins inherits a team that beat him 51-27 last season in Elkton, though he won’t have the use of many of the Rebels who were instrumental in that contest. Senior Ja’Twan Graham ran all over the Falcons, racking up 210 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns. He also added a 49-yard fumble recovery TD, while fellow seniors QB Bryce Nolan and WR DJ Johnson also hooked up for a score.
Playing without three starters who were ejected the week before, junior Ethan Tomerlin did his best to carry the Falcons against the Wildcats, rushing 11 time for 100 yards and two scores, while also collecting 5 catches for 43 yards. Sophomore Ke’Shawn Daniels and junior Greyson Meyer each recovered fumbles and returned them for touchdowns, with Meyer rumbling 53 yards for the score.
The Falcons fell just short of a win against visiting Grayson County last season and will be hoping to come out on top when they go on the road to face the Cougars in 2020. 5A Grayson County came into the game undefeated and led by 10 at halftime, but the Falcons closed the gap to 2 early in the second half. Trailing 22-14, the Falcons final drive ended with an incomplete pass in the endzone. Middleton had a big day for Fort Campbell with 241 yards on 23 completions with a TD, while Tomerlin and Edwards combined for 185 yards receiving and a score.
Pass-shy Grayson County finished the season 7-4, scoring only 255 points on the season. They will be looking to replace do-everything senior Hunter Gibson, who led the team with 101 yards receiving and 948 yards on the ground with 15 TDs.
After dominating the Army Bowl matchup with Fort Knox for the last 17 years, the Falcons will be hoping to return the trophy to its longtime home after the Eagles picked up their first win in the series since 2002 with a 19-10 result in 2019. The game will feature new faces next season after seniors James Rowsey and Tanner and Chase Bellamy led the Eagles to the win last year. Rowsey threw for 235 yards, while Chase Bellamy ran for two touchdowns. Tanner Bellamy had a monster night on defense, making 13 tackles, 7 for loss, with 5 sacks.
The next three weeks will represent the toughest stretch of the campaign for the Falcons, with a game at Mayfield followed by visits from Murray High and Caldwell County. Fort Campbell was outscored 131-17 in three-straight losses at this point in 2019, with their three opponents finishing the season a combined 29-9.
Mayfield must reload with the graduation of quarterback Jayden Stinson, who torched the Falcons for 252 yards and 3 TDs last season. Kade Neely and Tate Puckett, a couple of Stinson’s favorite targets, also move on after posting 3 catches and a touchdown each in the blowout. The Falcons won’t like the sight of running back Kylan Galbreath returning to the Mayfield backfield. Galbreath only needed 5 carries to tally 129 yards and 3 scores in last season’s meeting.
It will be a revamped Murray team this time around as well. Senior quarterback Hunter Utley graduates after throwing for 236 yards and two scores in the blowout win over the Falcons. Fort Campbell will also be glad it’s seen the last of WR Jorden Duffy, who had 4 catches for 101 yards and 3 TDs, and DB Jaiden Jackson, who picked off Middleton three times for 141 return yards and a touchdown. TE/DB Tommy Waldrop also graduates after leading the Cardinals with 71 catches, 1,178 yards, and 16 touchdowns last season.
Caldwell brings back many of the difference makers from last season’s 40-0 win over the Falcons, with the exception of RB DeEric Hollowell and RB/LB Ben Holt. Quarterback Russ Beshear returns, along with his favorite target, Tripp Branch. Junior Tate VanHooser collected two touchdowns in last season’s win, while sophomore Logan Smiley also found the endzone.
Fort Campbell will be on the road in the second to last week of the regular season, looking to make it two wins in a row over Ballard Memorial. The Falcons cruised to a 28-0 win on post last season, with Middleton throwing for 3 touchdowns and Conner Brinkmeyer posting a career day with 156 yards on 21 carries, with a couple of catches for 28 yards, and 3 scores.
After slipping to a 1-9 record last year, the Bombers look like they will struggle again after the graduation of 10 seniors. The loss of Trenton Howard may be the biggest blow, after he led the team with 336 yards rushing, 104 receiving, and 6 TDs.
The Falcons will once again close the regular season against Eminence, this time on post. The Warriors won last year’s meeting 52-24, on the way to a 9-3 record and a second-round postseason finish. Senior QB Justin Hedges threw for 352 yards and 5 TDs, with fellow senior Marshall Metten doing the damage on the ground with 221 yards rushing and 2 scores. The Warriors also lose WR Dakadrian Saunders, who chipped in 9 catches for 160 yards and 2 TDs against the Falcons. One returning player the Fort Campbell will have to deal with is WR Adriene Bailey, who made 7 catches for 101 yards and two TDs in last season’s contest.
