Saint Stephen’s football preview 2017: Falcons aim for a conference title repeat

At a glance

Herald’s forecast: 8-0

After the best two-year stretch in Saint Stephen’s history with back-to-back appearances in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference’s championship game, the Falcons will have a chance to make it three straight trips to the Florida Bowl. With a machine of an offense, an underrated defense and a wildly accomplished senior class, Saint Stephen’s should be in the mix for a state championship once again.

Deep at: Offensive backfield

Thin at: Front seven

Head coach: Tod Creneti

Career: 13th year (seventh at Saint Stephen’s), 57-63 (35-26)

Needs a big season from: The Brown twins

The third week of the regular season came for Saint Stephen’s and in the backfield was a running back who probably no one in the country had heard of in the Falcons’ starting lineup. On the other side of the ball was a safety who looked identical to the running back and was just as unknown.

Chase Brown, the previously unknown running back, rumbled for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Sydney Brown, his twin brother, piled up 11 tackles from the secondary and broke up a pass. Saint Stephen’s needed both of Chase Brown’s touchdowns to sneak out a three-point win against Calvary Christian in Clearwater, one of the closest wins in a championship season for the Falcons.

The running back and safety weren’t unknown much longer after helping Saint Stephen’s to a signature non-conference win. Chase eventually pulled in offers from Syracuse, Indiana, Purdue and Central Florida. Sydney has a slightly smaller list of offers, highlighted by Central Michigan.

Together, they became secret weapons during the best season in Falcons history. With a full preseason to prepare for the twins’ infusion, Saint Stephen’s should be even better.

“It’s a lot easier because we have experience with the team,” said Chase Brown, who could also contribute as a cornerback. “It’s a lot easier to take in unlike last year when we were taking in a whole lot at once.”

Statistically, Brown was unparalleled among running backs in Manatee County, leading the county with 1,416 rushing yards despite missing the first two games. His brother should join him on the offensive side this year, too, after logging 81 tackles as a junior safety.

The Falcons are mostly intact from a year ago but did lose their top two wide receivers, plus Jordan Murrell, a pass-catching running back now playing for Stetson of the Football Championship Subdivision. Sydney Brown should slide into the vacated slot back role to give Saint Stephen’s a four-pronged attack with both Browns, all-area quarterback Fred Billy and running back Demetrius Davis.

“We feel really good about those four kids. All of them have been in our system,” head coach Tod Creneti said. “To have that core group of kids all having been in the system for a year, know everybody, know each other, we’re thrilled.”

Schedule breakdown

Who’s in: Windermere Prep, IMG Academy White, Fort Myers Gateway Charter

Who’s out: Community School of Naples, Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic, St. Petersburg Keswick Christian

Upgrade: As an independent, Saint Stephen’s doesn’t need to worry about playoff points, but adding IMG Academy’s new team could provide one of Manatee County’s most interesting challenges.

Impact newcomer

Dalton Francis, Jr., OL/DL

Bradenton Christian’s starting center last year will take on the same role for Saint Stephen’s this fall. The Falcons graduated only one starting offensive lineman from a year ago and will have experience at all five spots with the transfer lineman entering the fold.

This story was originally published August 23, 2017 at 7:50 AM with the headline "Saint Stephen’s football preview 2017: Falcons aim for a conference title repeat."