Despite closing the 2023 season with three losses, including a first-round playoff exit at the hands of Murray High, the Fort Campbell Falcons’ five wins continued steady improvement since the program sat out the 2020 season due to Covid. With experienced talent back at the skill positions and a solid showing in the preseason, the Falcons look set to maintain that momentum and reach new heights in 2024.
The Falcons lost ten seniors off last year’s 5-6 team, including wide receiver and kick returner Maurice Moore. Moore moved on to the next level at Georgetown College after leading the team with 50 catches for 881 yards and 18 touchdowns. Significant holes are left in the defense as well with the departure of Crissean Price and Ian Leach. Price was second on the squad with 147 tackles, including 11 for loss and four sacks, while Leach racked up 100 tackles with 3.5 for loss.
However, lots of talent remains on both sides of the ball to have the Falcons playing with raised expectations in 2024.
Coach Henry Mitchell enters his third season on the sideline with playmakers under center and in the backfield, along with a pair of wide receivers ready to step into the spotlight. JaCaryous Perryman didn’t begin last season at quarterback, but he was a revelation after taking over from Jonah Weisbrich. Perryman, a junior, threw for over 1,300 yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions, completing 90 of 170 passing attempts for over 123 yards per game. He also rushed for 326 yards and found the endzone eight times to lead the team.
Keshawn Dixon returns at running back after totaling 706 yards on 131 carries and three touchdowns as a sophomore. Torrance Dixon will also get his turn in the backfield after gaining 56 yards with a score last season, and Mitchell expects Antonio Rivera to help out as well.
Torrance Dixon was second with 27 catches for 167 yards and two TDs a year ago, and Keshawn Dixon caught 11 balls for 348 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In addition, Eric Greene looks set for a breakout campaign after making ten catches for 155 yards as a sophomore.
The Falcons will look to some familiar faces on the defensive side, with Keshawn and Torrance Dixon leading the way. Keshawn paced the team in three categories, with 176 tackles, 90 solo, with 12.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Torrance was first with four interceptions to go with 113 tackles, including two for loss. Senior center Nate Johnson also helped out in defense with 9.5 tackles for loss and a team-high 6.5 sacks. Coach Mitchell also expects Evan Mullen to have an impact from the linebacker spot.
Senior Ryan Brewer, also a Falcon soccer player, will continue to handle kicking duties after connecting on 24 of 29 PATs and making a pair of field goals in five attempts.
The Falcons will kick off the regular season on Friday when they welcome Northwest, TN to Fryar Stadium. Fort Campbell upset the Vikings 20-17 in last season’s opener.
They will host Fort Knox on September 20 looking for a third straight victory in the Army Bowl, and will open District 2 play with a trip to Edmonson County on October 4. The Falcons overwhelmed the Wildcats 37-8 in last year’s meeting.
Fort Campbell will be aiming for a second straight district win over Todd County Central when the Rebels come calling on October 18, and a visit from Owensboro Catholic a week later will wrap up district play.
