One year ago, Caleb Davis was a rookie assistant coach with Jefferson, calling the plays on offense.
One thing he knew, was he could always call a play for Matt Webster and be okay.
The Falcons had the kind of featured back coaches dream about a year ago.
Webster rushed for more than 1,100 yards a year ago, with 15 touchdowns.
Webster placed third at the Division II state wrestling tournament in the 215-pound weight class.
Webster could be considered one of the best athletes in Ashtabula County the last couple of years, as well as one of the best in Jefferson school history.
But he graduated, leaving the Falcons a void to fill.
So, how do you replace a guy like that?
Davis, who is now the head coach, knows that the answer all too well.
“You don’t,” he said. “Matt was our bellcow. When in doubt, handing the ball to him was never a bad option.
“His body could handle it, so there’d be times he could bail us out. It was a security blanket having him, we could not block right up front and he’d still make good things happen.”
This year Jefferson does not have a “bellcow.”
What they do have, though, is an open opportunity for players to step up and grab a piece left by Webster’s departure.
Sophomore Antonio Matta and juniors Brayden Seese and Josiah Tillman are all names Jefferson fans are probably not familiar with, but will be as the season progresses, as all are anticipated to have opportunities in the backfield.
Matta has experience carrying the ball, but missed all of last year with health issues.
Seese played last year, but only on defense.
Tillman is a transfer from North Olmsted.
Davis said Tillman is probably the closest thing they have to a “power-back.”
Matta is an east-west runner who can put his shoulder down if needed, while Seese has the kind of speed to make things happen in space.
“All three of them are tough hard-nosed kids and all three are great athletes,” Davis said.
Another key component of the Falcons’ ground attack will be at quarterback.
Junior returner Mason Kalil had 57 carries for 351 yards a year ago.
He could be more involved in the run game this season.
Kalil also passed for 850 yards in the 2025 season.
“He’s a dual threat,” Davis said of Kalil. “He can run and pass. Last year, I was a little timid to run with him, being a sophomore, but that is going to change this year.”
Without a dominant featured back like Webster, expect to see Davis look to jumpstart the run game in a diversity of ways.
Receivers taking jet sweeps, running backs deploying inside zone blocking schemes as well as outside gap schemes, will likely all be in play.
“I want teams to have to honor us at all levels,” Davis said. “I want us to be very good at throwing screens and blocking screens.”
Last year, teams loaded the box against the Falcons, which wasn’t all bad because Webster could run people over.
This year, though, will be different.
“We have to do a better job of finding our numbers advantage,” Davis said. “I think we can do a better job of running away from people, but we have to do a better job of attacking all spaces on the field.”
While the coach will look to see what he has in guys who can rush the football, he knows a little better what to expect.
Senior Seth Collins played football for the first time last year, but picked things up quickly.
He’ll be joined up front by juniors Austin Witzke and Brody Dietrich. All three players give the Falcons size, strength and experience in the trenches.
The starting tackle positions are up for grab.
Junior Joey Sands could see some time, as could a pair of sophomores, Carson Delvalle and Gatlin Soltese.
On the outside, the Falcons return a couple of pass catchers from a year ago.
Senior Shawn Miklacic was second on the team with 29 receptions for 283 yards.
“He’s going to have a little more on his shoulders this year,” Davis said.
Jefferson also brings back juniors Brandon Carr, Paxton Fritzsche, and Damion Nelson. Carr started every game for the Falcons in 2025.
Jefferson may not have the type of star player it had a year ago, and is still a young team. But, there is one thing that Davis says his team definitely has.
“These kids are tough, these kids are physical and I love that,” he said. “They play a brand of football that I want to be a part of. I think if anything we should lean into our identity.
“Sure, you’re not always going to have exactly what you want, but that’s why I’m the coach and it’s my job to put them in a position to be successful.”
The coach knows his team will play hard, and he’ll start learning a lot more about them when Jefferson takes on Chagrin Falls to start the season.