Eagle football team travels to Quincy
The No. 12 Eagles take on the Hawks in Week Four
Running back Gei’Vonni Washington runs down the field as two defenders look to take him down in Week Two against the Findlay Oilers.
After a 2-0 start to the 2022-2023 season, the Eagle football team looks to continue its success against the Quincy Hawks on the road.
With a nine-hour trek down to Quincy, Ill., the Eagles look to head out with another victory.
“It’s great to be 2-0,” said starting quarterback Austin Brenner. “It was obviously a goal of ours to start off the year this way going into the bye week and now coming back with a lot of our guys healthy. It’s great to see the way we’ve been able to get some great team wins.”
In Week One the Eagles were able to down the Notre Dame College Falcons 31-14 at home. As a whole, the team combined for 323 rushing yards while junior Gei’Vonni Washington rushed for 150 yards and a touchdown.
The only inconsistency for the Eagles was the passing game.
“I think he [Brenner] was a little bit off. It was the first time he played live in a little over a year,” said Head Coach Lee Owens. “A couple of his throws weren’t where he needed to be. The kid is hard on himself and we know he will get better.”
In Week Two Brenner did exactly that. He passed for 198 yards and one touchdown in contribution to a 28-3 victory against the Findlay Oilers.
“The timing was better with his receivers,” said Owens. “I think his ceiling is so high. We haven’t been able to see the quarterback that he can become because of injury but I think he can be a real good quarterback.”
That victory was also cemented by a stellar defensive performance from defensive captain Jourdan Swett. He recorded five tackles, one pass breakup, and an interception in which he returned 52 yards.
Inconsistencies did arise from the special teams unit in Week Two and the question remained on what the plan was heading into their next contest.
At the weekly Tuesday press conference, Owens specified that senior Storm Elsesser would be the kickoff taker and redshirt freshman A.J. Rhodes would be the field goal and PAT taker.
Now heading into Week Four at a record of 2-0, the Eagles are rested and well prepared from a bye week.
“The bye week just gives us some extra time to watch film, see the looks we think they’re going to give us and work on some of the things that we need to improve on from the last 2 games,” said Brenner.
While the bye week halts some of the game-week momentum, the Eagles are still comfortable in their play this season.
“Our goal was to get out to a 2-0 start. If we want to be in the postseason, or win a conference championship we had to start like that,” said Owens. “The week we’ve had off now has allowed us to get a lot of work down and iron out issues we still do have.”
Coming into a contest against the Quincy University Hawks with minimal issues is important for the Eagles.
Currently, the Hawks are 2-1 and coming off back-to-back wins. The Hawks defeated the Trinity International Trojans 53-14 in a blowout victory, before taking on a Great Midwest Athletic Conference opponent in the Walsh Cavaliers where they won 28-13.
The Hawks have put up a grand total of 96 points through three weeks of play proving their offense has the firepower to torch defenses.
However, even with the red-hot start for the Hawks, the Eagles look to pay spoilers as Quincy hosts its homecoming weekend.
“Kicking game, turnovers, take care of your quarterback, limit penalties. If you don’t beat yourself and play a clean game you can have a chance to win a lot of games,” said Owens. “Particularly with the players we have.”
The Eagles take on the Hawks at 2 p.m., 1 p.m. local time, Saturday, Sept. 24, in Quincy.
How to watch/listen:
Quincy Radio: https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/WGEMFM
Ashland Radio: https://wncoam.iheart.com/
