Leto
Coach: Matt Kitchie (fourth season, 1-29; sixth overall, 10-42)
Last season: 0-10
Class/district:6A-8
Colors: Gold, red and white
Stadium: Falcon Stadium, 4409 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa
Playoff history: 1991, 1993, 1998, 1999
Last appearance: Beat Lake Region 41-8; lost 28-0 to Auburndale
Season schedule
Sept. 5at Chamberlain, 7:30
Sept. 12vs. Blake, 7:30
Sept. 19at Hillsborough, 7:30
Sept. 26vs. Robinson, 7:30
Oct. 2at Jefferson, 7
Oct. 10vs. Armwood, 7:30
Oct. 17at Middleton, 7:30
Oct. 24at Lennard, 7:30
Oct. 31vs. King, 7:30
Nov. 7vs. Spoto, 7:30
Mark your calendar
Having not won a game on the field in three years, coupled with being relegated to arguably the toughest district in the state, the Falcons look at their schedule in terms of winnable games and not necessarily district showdowns or rivalries. Coach Matt Kitchie is eyeing a few games where he thinks the Falcons can break the skid — Oct. 17 at Middleton and Oct. 24 at Lennard. Middleton thumped the Falcons 42-7 last season, but a coaching change and player exodus at Middleton might prove a balancing factor. The Longhorns throttled the Falcons 68-0 last season, but were also one of the district’s bottom teams.
Huddle highlights
Flying Falcons: The Falcons have two, good-sized, bookend receivers, and according to Kitchie, five or six who can play wide receiver. Three of the group are at least 6-foot-4 and Kitchie is excited about the prospect of getting the ball in their hands. “We want to get these guys in space and let them score points,” he said.
Seeing off seniors: This is the first time in Kitchie’s coaching career where he’s had the opportunity to see a freshman class ascend to becoming seniors. “They know what’s expected and we’re not coaching those details anymore; we’re able to start coaching football,” Kitchie said.
Administrative support: Kitchie has nothing but positives regarding the new athletic administration under Marikos Asgedom. “He’s a Leto grad and wants to win,” Kitchie said. “They’ve given us everything we need to be successful.”
Known quantities
OG/DT Jamauri Tramel, Sr.: A three-year starter on the offensive line, Kitchie has dubbed Tramel “Mr. Dependable.” He was injured in Week 5 against Robinson last year, which “threw a monkey wrench into our plans,” Kitchie said.
T/DE Austin Grivna, Sr.: Another three-year starter, Grivna “does everything you could ask of a high school player,” Kitchie said. He also noted that Grivna had two sacks against Plant in the spring game.
RB/LB Marcus Palma, Sr.: A two-year starter for the Falcons, Palma led the team in total yards last season with 603, more than 100 of which were on kick returns. “We hit him on some big plays last season,” Kitchie said.
Up-and-comers
WR/DE Micah Davis, Sr.: Davis comes over from the Leto basketball team, and according to Kitchie has Division-I talent.
WR/DB Jephon Chambers, Jr.: All Kitchie had to say about Chambers was “speed, speed, speed, speed.”
WR/DB Dallas Johnson, Sr.: Academically ineligible as a freshman, Johnson has worked his way back onto the field and ran with the track team in the spring. Kitchie says Johnson has speed, toughness and grit.