Flyers' leader lets actions make the noise

Josh Flavin lets his actions on the football field speak for him.

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The soft-spoken leader of the Little Falls Flyers makes noise with over-the-shoulder grabs that net big yards and touchdowns.

Against East Grand Forks Sept. 2, Flavin caught four passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns in the Flyers' 26-7 victory. Flavin's touchdowns covered 25 and 36 yards.

"They were both on deep routes," said Flyers coach Jack Marmon. "One of them, he made a terrific catch. The ball was over the wrong shoulder. It came down right on top of him. He was close to the sidelines. When he caught the ball he was facing the sideline. He did a tightrope, turned left and was in the end zone.

"The other one was patented Josh catching a fade in the end zone."

Flavin and second-year quarterback Jake Kluver connected on 38 receptions for 413 yards and six touchdowns last year.

"I've know Jake since about first grade and we've been playing football together every year since," said Flavin. "It's just nice that we've been together for so long. He knows what I'm going to do in certain situations and I know what he's going to do so it makes it easier."

This year Flavin is bigger, faster and stronger, which should translate into bigger numbers.

"He's more of a physical receiver," said Marmon. "Last year he was more of a finesse guy. He would catch the ball and try to find a way to get out of bounds. This year he's taking people on and has become more physical.

"His hands are just as good, too. He has really good hands."

Josh Flavin

Year: Senior.

School: Little Falls.

Sport: Football.

Position: Wide receiver

Key stat: Caught four passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns. against East Grand Forks.

Flavin also has a good frame. At 6-foot-2, he towers over most defensive backs. Add to his height a long wing span and a 30-inch vertical and Flavin is hard to contain.

Marmon hopes Flavin's big-play ability will help the Flyers' running game, too.

"Hopefully, teams will have to pay more attention to him, which should open up things for other kids," said Marmon. "Defensive lines will be put into their pass-rush mode faster because they'll need to put pressure on the quarterback. That will help in terms of our running game, which is what we want to do."

Little Falls has been a passing team in recent years. To make sure the Flyers have a successful passing game, Flavin said he increased his speed by two-tenths of a second.

"My speed has been up quite a bit," he said. "That's going to be huge as we get down to the end of the season. We tend to throw quite a bit and I try to use my speed and my height. When the ball is in the air I like to go up and get it or just run past people.

"I want the ball and I tell them to throw the ball my way deep."

Other notable performances:

Football -- Alan Anderson, Pine River-Backus, rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns against Pequot Lakes.

Kris Durham, Pequot Lakes, threw for 108 yards on 9-of-16 passing, ran for a touchdown and caught an interception against PR-B.

Bryan Virnig, Pierz, rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns against Annandale.

Jake Kluver, Little Falls, passed for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 9-of-15 passing against East Grand Forks.

Travis Dixon, Pillager, rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns against Royalton.

Joe Smith, Staples-Motley, rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown and threw for 101 yards and a touchdown against Litchfield.

Connor Butenhoff, Aitkin, scored four touchdowns, rushed for 71 yards and threw for 50 yards against Crosby-Ironton.

Andy Domben, C-I, caught five passes for 141 yards against Aitkin.

Soccer -- Eric Bell, Little Falls, finished with two goals and an assist against Hillcrest Academy and added a goal against Sartell.

JEREMY MILLSOP can be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.