Abbotsford Football Season Preview: Established Program Excited to be Back on the Field

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David Keech
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Abbotsford (OnFocus) –  It’s been a long wait for football fans and football teams to start the 2020 season. The wait is finally over, and the season is now here.

We take a look at the Abbotsford Falcons with our Season Preview. We reached out to Coach Jake Knapmiller for some thoughts on this football season, giving us a glimpse into how the Falcons are getting ready for this year.

After the Falcons had to pause their season due to COVID-19 precautions, they were able to begin in Week 3 by taking on Edgar. This week, they travel to Crivitz for their second game.

OnFocus: How has your coaching staff and team prepared for this season?

Knapmiller: Our athletes did a great job over the spring and summer with all of the limitations put on them.  They found a way to get better, get together and do it safely.  After we were able to get practices in, the “team” feeling was very strong.  I was so impressed by the upperclassmen in our program taking the leadership role over and being great mentors to our large group of freshman players.  

OnFocus Athlete of the Week October 4 – 10

OnFocus Team of the Week October 4 – 10

OnFocus: Season forecast – What should fans expect to see out of your team this year? 

Knapmiller:  Offensively we should have a multi player attack with lots of speed in our backfield.  Our backfield consists of Mason Wellman, Ty Falteisek, Hunter Soyk and Cade Faber, along with Conrad Flink, Mason Carpenter and senior Ryan Gunderson. Cade and Ty are both returning starters at their position and bring back major yardage and experience.

Hunter Soyk moved to quarterback and we look for him to use his leadership to keep our offense moving and will count on him a lot in short yardage.  Our line returns a lot of experience, but the anchors from last years starters coming back are Martin Aguilera, Angel Diaz and Mason Carpenter as Seniors, and Devin Thums and Keith Kalepp who bring a lot of experience back as well.  The additions of a new center and tight ends look to be fun competitions.

Defensively, our defensive backfield has a ton of experience returning with three seniors and a junior.  We look at those players to step up pass game coverage but also show up in run support this year more aggressively and disciplined.  Martin Aguilera returns as a all conference LB.  We look to be disciplined and fly around together, create turnovers and force the offense to run a lot of plays to score (no big plays)
David Keech
Author: David Keech

David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]

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