Duarte fires Tip Sanders, defensive coordinator Jason Martin to take over …

Duarte has fired football coach Tip Sanders after three seasons at the school.

The Falcons went winless in Sanders’ first two seasons, but came alive in 2011 with a 6-3 record and almost made the Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

Jason Martin, who was the defensive coordinator this past season, will take over as head coach.

Sanders was 6-22 at the school. He stepped into a bad situation in 2009 after previous head coach Wardell Crutchfield Jr. was let go despite a very successful run, causing a mass exodus of the program’s top talent.

Sanders struggled through low player turnout in first two seasons, but the Falcons turned things around this past season.

One of Sanders’ assistant coaches is expected to take over.