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What does a loss in status for Lewis and Cormier mean for the Falcons?
A War of Attrition before Week 1
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The phrase “Not in Good Standing” isn’t typically associated with anything positive. For the Air Force Academy football team in particular, this is terminology that has been far too over-used before a meaningful snap has even taken place in 2019.
The Falcon backfield that has already seen these dreaded words in relation to their most productive returning player in Cole Fagan, as well as assumed contender for a starting spot, Joseph Saucier.
Now, the offense has to look at options in the receiver group as Brandon Lewis and David Cormier have been deemed to have “received a loss in status” and thus are not able to represent the Academy.
This is a significant blow to the offense, considering the skillsets these two posess, and the multiple ways they could contribute. Lewis is smaller in stature but very fast and shifty, certainly someone you would expect to get carries from the slot.
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Cormier on the other hand has a very imposing 6-foot-3 stature, and threatened to be a mismatch in those calculated shots that the offense would take downfield. New position coach Ari Confessor couldn’t say enough good things about him this fall.
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Should Lewis and Cormier be unable to play this season, it is an absolute loss for the offense. But as is always the case with the Cadets, they are not without a contingency plan. Or plans.
Geraud Sanders is still around and seemingly as much of a lock for a starter as there is on a Troy Calhoun coached team. Sanders represents by far the most returning production from last years team, and he should certainly add to that significantly with departures of both graduate and other varieties.
Behind Sanders now, the production is not deep. But in waiting are a lot of hungry contenders for playing time, some of who have pushed for this opportunity over the course of the last three years. Others may be the next rendition of Brandon Lewis, looking to make an impression early as freshman. One thing that is for sure, the opportunity is there, it will be interesting to see who seizes it.
A closer look into some of the players you can expect to be in line were covered in a previous article that is worth a revisit considering the circumstances- you can check that out here.
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