New coach, new quarterback lead Falkner into final football season
There will already be plenty of change surrounding Falkner football in 2026. A new head coach will patrol the sideline, a new quarterback will direct the offense and several of last season’s biggest playmakers have moved on.
But this season carries significance far beyond wins, losses and playoff positioning.
The 2026 season will be the final football season in Falkner High School history. Following the 2026-27 school year, Falkner High will close as the North Tippah School District consolidates its two high schools. Falkner students will join Walnut students on the current Walnut campus, which will become North Tippah High School beginning with the 2027-28 school year.
That gives first-year head coach Jesse Nelson a unique assignment. He is not only taking over a program that won Region 2-1A last fall. He will lead the final Falkner team to ever take the field.
Region: 2-1A
2025 record: 6-5 overall, 3-0 region
Postseason: Class 1A second round
Head coach: Jesse Nelson, first season
Roster breakdown
Falkner’s currently listed 2026 roster includes 29 players: six seniors, six juniors, six sophomores and nine freshmen, along with two players who do not currently have a class designation listed.
The numbers give Falkner a relatively balanced upperclass group, but nearly one-third of the roster is made up of freshmen. For the six seniors, this season has an added finality. They will not only play their final year of high school football, but will be part of the last senior class to represent Falkner on the football field.
Nelson takes over for Falkner’s final run
Although this is officially Nelson’s first season as Falkner’s head coach, he has experience leading the program.
Nelson served as interim head coach during the 2024 season following Kevin Walton’s departure and helped guide the Eagles to an 8-3 record. He now assumes the job permanently following the retirement of Ben Ashley.
The staff also adds Zac Taylor, a recent college graduate joining Nelson for the 2026 season.
Nelson inherits a program that showed considerable resilience last fall.
Falkner opened the 2025 season with three consecutive losses and sat at 1-4 following a loss to Tupelo Christian Prep. The Eagles then completely changed the direction of their season.
They won five consecutive games, swept their three region opponents and captured the Region 2-1A championship. Falkner defeated Ashland 36-8, Byers 56-26 and Potts Camp 50-27 before opening the playoffs with a 42-6 victory over Thrasher.
The season finally ended against Okolona in the second round with Falkner finishing 6-5 overall and 3-0 in region play.
Now Nelson must find a way to replace some of the players responsible for that late-season surge.
Childs gets his opportunity at quarterback
The biggest change on offense will come behind center.
Junior Asa Childs is expected to take over as Falkner’s starting quarterback after serving as a backup during the previous two seasons. A three-sport athlete, Childs brings the type of athleticism that could allow Nelson to build different elements into the offense.
He will be replacing Nolan Ashley, who handled the majority of Falkner’s quarterback duties last season and threw 12 touchdown passes.
The Eagles have an even larger hole to fill in the backfield.
Anthony Morgan was the engine of the 2025 offense, rushing for approximately 1,700 yards while averaging more than 150 yards per game and claiming the Tippah County Athlete of the Year honor. He scored 26 rushing touchdowns and 32 total touchdowns.
Falkner will turn to Ethan Adams, a junior transfer from Ripley, as its new featured back. Adams brings speed and athletic ability to the offense and is expected to contribute in several areas.
There are experienced targets available for Childs.
Jonis Flynn, an all-district selection last season, returns as an option from the slot. Easton Gates is expected to work outside, while senior Bradley Heath gives the Eagles another veteran presence in the passing game.
The biggest advantage for a first-year quarterback may be the group playing in front of him.
Falkner expects to feature a veteran offensive line with five senior starters. Edil Aburto anchors the unit at center, while senior Ripley transfer Louis Edgeston adds another experienced body up front. Edgeston was praised by his former coach, Rico McDonald, for his ability along the line.
That group could become the identity of the Falkner offense as Childs and Adams settle into their new roles.
Proven playmakers return on defense
The offense has several major pieces to replace, but Falkner’s defense returns established production at every level.
Senior defensive end Zeph Flynn is back after recording 55 tackles, seven tackles for loss and one sack last season. An all-district selection, Flynn should anchor a defensive front that will also rely heavily on players working on both sides of the line.
One of Falkner’s most productive defenders is still only beginning his high school career.
Tyson Alberson recorded 75 tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception last season while playing as an eighth-grader. He enters 2026 officially listed as a freshman after already establishing himself as one of the Eagles’ leading tacklers.
Alberson is expected to work in the middle alongside sophomore Cade Alston, while Adams will see time at outside linebacker in Falkner’s 4-4 defensive look.
The secondary also returns one of last season’s top turnover threats.
Jonis Flynn intercepted three passes in 2025 and returns at cornerback after earning all-district recognition. Taven Morgan is expected to join him at corner, with Heath providing experience at safety.
Zeph Flynn, Tyson Alberson and Jonis Flynn all return as all-district performers, giving Nelson a proven player on the defensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary.
That experience will be important for a defense that helped Falkner force 24 turnovers last season.
A different road back to the postseason
Falkner’s non-region schedule has a different look in 2026.
The Eagles are scheduled to open Sept. 4 at Alcorn Central, followed by another road game Sept. 11 at Bruce. Falkner hosts East Union on Sept. 25 before traveling to Smithville on Oct. 2 and Riverside on Oct. 9.
Bruce and Smithville are familiar opponents. Falkner fell 46-35 to Bruce last season before later beating Smithville 33-29.
Alcorn Central, East Union and Riverside provide different tests before the games that will ultimately determine Falkner’s postseason position.
Region play begins Oct. 16 at Ashland.
Falkner then returns home for its final two currently scheduled regular-season games, hosting Byers on Oct. 22 and Potts Camp on Oct. 29.
Those are the same three region opponents Falkner swept last season.
The Potts Camp game could carry particular significance. If the current schedule remains unchanged and Falkner does not host a playoff game afterward, it could become the final football game ever played at Falkner High School.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Zeph Flynn, Sr., DE
The returning all-district defender finished 2025 with 55 tackles, seven tackles for loss and a sack and should be one of the leaders of Falkner’s defense.
Ethan Adams, Jr., RB/LB
The Ripley transfer takes over a backfield that must replace a 1,700-yard rusher. His athleticism should also get him on the field at linebacker and in the return game.
Tyson Alberson, Fr., LB
Alberson enters his freshman season with more varsity production than many upperclassmen after recording 75 tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception as an eighth-grader.
Jonis Flynn, WR/DB
A returning all-district performer who can impact the game on both sides of the ball. Flynn led Falkner with three interceptions last season and gives Childs an experienced target in the passing game.
Asa Childs, Jr., QB
After spending two seasons waiting for his opportunity, Childs takes control of an offense replacing its quarterback and 1,700-yard running back. How quickly he settles into the position could help determine Falkner’s ceiling.
One last season in Falkner
Every high school football season eventually becomes a collection of lasts. The final first game. The final home game. The final time a senior puts on the uniform.
For Falkner, those moments will have a different meaning in 2026.
When this season ends, there will not be another Falkner football team preparing to take its place the following August. The school will close after the academic year, its students will combine with Walnut and a new athletic identity will begin at North Tippah High School.
That makes this season both a transition and a farewell.
Falkner has a new coach, a new quarterback and a roster trying to defend a region championship. The Eagles will still measure themselves by victories, championships and how far they can extend their season into November.
But this time, they are playing for something that will not show up in the standings.
They are the last Falkner football team.
