Health is the name of the game for just about everyone each season, but Falcons head coach Junior Miller pointed out the depth of this year’s Prairie Falcons squad.
The Prairie Falcons will open their schedule with a pair of 2A opponents and a pair of 4A opponents. Last year, the opener against Ridgefield did not go as planned, but this year, the Falcons will seek revenge in enemy territory.
But looking beyond the first few non-league games, Miller said the 3A Greater St. Helens League slate is really exciting.
“I kind of want to see where the other teams are at,” Miller said of his league competition. “I’ve heard things. I’ve seen X posts and just want to see where our guys match up. We’re all healthy right now, so, keep it that way and we’ll see where we’re at.”
The Falcons have two out of five league games at home this season, with quarterback Deven Vigue eyeing the first one against Kelso, which will be a special Thursday night football game.
“It’s our homecoming game,” Vigue said. “I want to beat them at home. Then Evergreen. I think those will be the two biggest league games.”
The depth this year has helped bolster the caliber of matchups in practice as oftentimes Miller is able to watch what his first teamers on the depth chart do against one another. With one’s and two’s being able to be on both sides of the ball at the same time, Miller said practices have started to shape out that this year is his strongest group, and he believes they could rival the 2019 squad that went into the playoffs.
“They’ve been putting in the work,” Miller said. “We have high expectations, as they do for themselves. We’re searching for a league title and a deep playoff run into the state playoffs and all that. That’s the goal from what we have prepared for. I don’t see why we couldn’t get there if we did what we’re supposed to do.”
Miller has made some coaching staff additions, all in hopes of leading the Falcons to a league title through more development at all ages.
“I have a lot of coaches to work the younger levels, specifically just so those kids are never feeling left out,” Miller said. “A lot of coaches, but there’s a reason behind it, you know.”
The pinnacle of “look good, play good,” has hit the Falcons as they will be rolling out a new style with their helmet that has had every single player and staff excited. Currently senior quarterback, Vigue, is rocking the new style while the rest of the team will join in just ahead of the week one matchup in Ridgefield.
