Tompkins has a chance to be a special team this year.

With the return of key players all around the field and experienced players that have taken on some of the top teams in the state, the Falcons have a core that can compete with anyone and there’s extra motivation for this year’s squad.

Coming into last season, Tompkins had made runs in the playoffs each of the previous four years. The Falcons had a strong year last season, but narrowly missed out on the top seed in Class 6A-Division I in the district, and ended up having their season cut short in the bi-district round, losing to Ridge Point 35-33 in a hard fought double overtime loss.

That loss has given another goal to work towards this year for the Falcons. They want to go out, make another run and get back deep in the playoffs.

“You learn a lot about yourself after a loss like that, both the players and the coaches,” said Tompkins head coach Todd McVey. “You find things you can do better, those kid did everything they could but just came out on the wrong side of it. But these returners have learned from it and it’s about turning a new page and being ready for game one. That’s been the focus and everyone in here has done a great job of pushing themselves.”

The Falcons offense should be a force, they return six starters, many of them integral ones that could carry them. Wyatt Young will be back at quarterback after a year where he threw for 685 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for 565 yards and 10 more touchdowns. Caleb Blocker will bring another big presence to the run game. The senior led Tompkins with 1,150 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns last year, averaging over 7.5 yards per carry as a junior. Ashton Funk, Erben Birkhoff and Jared Martinez will spearhead the offensive line in what has a chance to one of the best attacks in the district.

“On paper we should be really successful in that area, but we have a lot of work to do to make sure that becomes the reality,” McVey said. “We had a good offseason but it’s all about all those guys coming together and finding a way to work together when camp starts. But we have full faith in those guys and the coaches that we can be really good with running the ball. We’re excited about those guys. The returners are a great group of kids.”

Defensively, Tompkins boasts strong returners at each level. On the defensive line, Eduwa Odundaye will lead the way after registering three sacks and six tackles for loss last season. Josh Davis will be an impact player at linebacker, he had four sacks, nine tackles for loss and 61 tackles last season. Senior defensive back Jhase McMillan will provide the team with a shutdown corner. He had five interceptions and 48 tackles last year. The returners have also done a great job integrating the newcomers into the varsity program.

“In our culture, it’s about everyone but you,” McVey said. “They’ve done a great job of pushing the other guys and holding everyone accountable and that’s the thing that has to continue. The guys on defense have done a great job of coming out here everyday, working hard and getting everyone on the same page. We just have to make sure we continue to get better each day.”

This is a team that on paper can compete with some of the top teams in the district and in the state, and they’ll have a chance to compete against top competition early, as they start the season playing Cy-Ranch and Bridgeland before opening district against Katy and Cinco Ranch.

“Those are great challenges for us and that’s why we want to play them,” McVey said. “Those are tough teams who gave us everything they had last year and I’m sure are going to do that again. We have to go out there completely ready cause this is a different team and they don’t care about who you are and if you beat them the year before, so we have to go out there and use that time to get better. That’s where you start to gel as a team and going through those adversities.”