The Eagles are preparing for the 2024 fall season jumping out the gate with four teams they played in the beginning of last season
The first opponent is Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). The Eagles went 17-24 last season against the Hawks.
“That’s finishing the game,” Head Coach Doug Geiser said, “We’re ahead of the first two opponents, IUP and Ferris in the fourth quarter and didn’t finish the game.”
The Eagle’s downfall was ultimately due to them not finishing the game, according to Geiser.
The fourth quarter of last season’s game resulted in an IUP field goal with four minutes left of play creating a tie, then a touchdown pass, which ultimately led to IUP’s victory.
However, it’s a new season and the Eagles have spent August readying up for their comeback in fall camp.
“We got to hit the ground running with the same performance we had in the second half of the season, carry it over, and build with that,” Geiser said. “Preaching the finish and understanding we stubbed our toe three times last year; we probably missed the playoffs by one game.”
After a rocky start, the Eagles went on to have a winning streak of eight games.
To carry those games into this new season, the team is relying on leadership to aid them throughout the season.
“In college football it always almost starts with the quarterback, right, wrong, or upside down,” Head Coach Geiser said. “Relying on Trevor Bycznski directing the offense, and he’s got to direct the team to an extent as well.”
In the 2023 fall season, Quarterback Bycznski ended the season with 26 touchdown passes, 2,572 passing yards and a completion percentage of 61.1.
Bycznski intends to take this leadership role head on by reinforcing what it means to be an Ashland Eagle – greatness.
“As a leader with multiple other leaders on the team, we want to reinforce our team’s core values to our returners while teaching them to the incoming freshman,” Quarterback Trevor Bycznski said. “We as leaders are voicing to the team that what we did last year wasn’t enough and that we cannot be complacent with our work ethic, and desire for greatness. That we will have to do more in order to reach our goals for this season. “
Geiser said other players and fans will see a rise to the occasion, such as Defensive Tackles Kristian Gehrisch and Collin Strong, Cornerback Devin Prude, Wide Receiver Tony Pannunzio, Center Ethan Enders and Left Tackle Nick Walker.
The team is already getting a glimpse of greatness during camp as preseason rankings have been released.
The team was recently ranked second in the 2024 Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) preseason polls.
Despite being second to the Findlay Oilers, Geiser believes this ranking is a coaching experience.
“In my respect I rather not be number one, even though that’s our goal. It gives me something to coach off of,” Geiser said.
The pressure is on for the Eagles after exiting their fall 2023 season with a 9-3 overall record, an eight-game win streak, and having taken home an American Crossroads Bowl win.
“We the hunter and not the hunted,” Geiser said. “We got a tremendous home schedule, first Thursday night against IUP, we’ll be rocking and rolling.”
The Eagles will apply this hunter mindset head on when they face off against IUP, yet again, on Thursday Sep. 5 at Jack Miller Stadium to kick-off non-conference play.
