2023 was a season full of change for Calhoun Falls. The Blue Flashes broke their four-year winless streak, achieved their first three-win season and playoff berth since 2012, and won their first region game since 2013. It was a historic year for the Flashes, and head coach Zak Theus is sure that it is only the beginning.
“It’s not easy getting these boys into the culture of winning. You have to change everything they know,” said Theus. “But, that change has happened and we’re moving on to the next step. We have to take that change and build on it by practicing harder and learning how to do the harder things. Competing is now something we expect.”
While it was a season to remember, the graduation of JaMarri Norman, Da’Quean Lewis and Ken Cade leaves some major pieces to fill on both sides of the ball. In their absence, senior wideout and defensive back Christian Richey is due for a big season. Richey moved to Calhoun Falls from Georgia during the 2023 season and immediately made an impact for the Blue Flashes. According to Theus, Richey will be an X-factor for his squad this season.
“He’s such a great kid and we’re fortunate to have him,” said Theus. “He can play anywhere we need him to and I believe he’s really going to be a game changer for us.”
Richey is not the only key piece for the Blue Flashes, however. Junior quarterback Kendraez Tatum is another year seasoned under center and freshman wideout Preston Thomas-Smalls gives Tatum another target to work with. Junior lineman Marquavius Turman will make a big impact as well as the new and refurbished running back room, including Lewis’ younger brother Braylon Patterson.
If you take a closer look, you will notice that the Blue Flashes have a lot more bodies to work with. In fact, there are just under 30 players on the team this season–a huge step up from years prior. It is no secret that in the sport of American football the more players the merrier, and Theus knows this all too well.
“It is so nice to have all these guys out here. We have pieces everywhere now,” Theus said. “It takes me back to my first ever weight session here and there were three kids that showed up. To go from three to where we are now says a lot about what these kids are doing. It’s really going to benefit us.”
Schedule Prediction:
While Calhoun Falls did lose noticeable pieces to their roster, they do have a very winnable schedule, especially in nonregion play. The Blue Flashes should be able to handle Clear Dot Charter, Williston-Elko and Andrews (NC) fairly easily, with the games versus American Leadership Academy and Greenwood Christian being toss-ups. In region play, the Blue Flashes are matched up reasonably well with every team with the exception of Abbeville. Overall, it should be an exciting season with much to look forward to in the fall.
Final record: 6-4, fourth in Region 1-1A, and loss in the first round of the playoffs.
| 8/23 – Week 0 | @ Greenwood Christian |
| 8/30 – Week 1 | American Leadership |
| 9/6 – Week 2 | @ Williston-Elko |
| 9/13 – Week 3 | BYE |
| 9/20 – Week 4 | Andrews (NC) |
| 9/27 – Week 5 | Clear Dot Charter |
| 10/4 – Week 6 | @ Dixie |
| 10/11 – Week 7 | Abbeville |
| 10/18 – Week 8 | @ McCormick |
| 10/25 – Week 9 | @ Ware Shoals |
| 11/1 – Week 10 | Whitmire |