Seasons come and seasons go, and every year, the senior leaders have their last chance to leave their mark on their school. Senior day has arrived at Ashland University, and for the 17 seniors on this year’s football team, they are looking to go out like the team has the last six games: on top.

“It’s their last chance to play here at Jack Miller,” Head Coach Lee Owens said. “It’s how they want to be remembered; this is their last game and this is the one they will remember the most, so let’s make sure it’s special.”

The Eagles, 7-3, 6-3 in the GLIAC, face the Lake Erie Storm for the first time in school history. Lake Erie comes into this matchup with a subpar 3-7 record, 3-6 in the GLIAC, but that record is deceiving because the Storm has won the last three games, all against the other Ohio schools in the conference.

Lake Erie is led on offense by their duel-threat quarterback, Sean Bedevelsky. Bedevelsky has thrown for 2,061 yards this season and 13 touchdowns, but has also been intercepted 14 times. He also is the team’s second leading rusher, gaining 550 yards on a team-high 134 carries and scoring four touchdowns.

When Bedevelsky doesn’t call his own number, he looks to his running backs, Kameron Alexander, and his impact wide receiver, Brandon James, for answers. Last week against Tiffin, Alexander rushed for a school-record 214 yards and one touchdown in a 31-27 victory. Alexander has rushed for 605 yards and two touchdowns this season. James has also found a spot in the Storm offense, as he leads the team with 41 receptions for a team-high 495 yards and five touchdowns.

Stopping the Eagles will be the biggest concern for the Storm, as Lake Erie has the second worst defense in the GLIAC when it comes to points allowed and passing defense. They give up over 35 points per game and 217 yards through the air. Junior Cameron Bryant leads the team in tackles with 61 in only seven games played. Ryan Studer and Kevin Chapman, both juniors, have been consistent tacklers for the Storm this season, totaling 54 and 51 tackles respectively. Another problem the Storm has experienced on defense is the lack of ability to force turnovers. Lake Erie has forced just nine in ten games.

The Eagles enter play 3-0 against Ohio foes and are looking to complete the sweep at home in the season finale. The Eagles have one of the most balanced offensive and defensive attacks in the GLIAC, as they are second in both scoring offense and defense. The offense is led by Taylor Housewright, who has thrown for 2,076 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has also run the ball 76 times for 403 yards and four touchdowns.

“He [Housewright] is having so much fun out there now,” Owens said. “He is just having a good time and it’s because of the comfort level he is experiencing right now. We are running the ball and protecting him; we’re playing some pretty good football.”

D.J. McCoy has taken a lot of pressure off of Housewright this season by rushing for 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010. He has also been over the 100-yard mark in each of the last seven games. The last time he didn’t eclipse 100 yards was Sept.18 against Hillsdale.

Of the 17 seniors on this year’s squad, none have produced more than Joe Horn. Horn, this season alone, has become the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,518) and touchdowns (24) and was recently named to the Academic All-District team.

Christian Livingston and Alan Dunson have also made great contributions to the receiving core and to the program in their careers. Livingston, this season, has 31 receptions for 533 yards and four touchdowns while Dunson has hauled in 13 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown. Dunson has excelled on special teams throughout his career, blocking eight kicks, three against Findlay two weeks ago. One of the blocked Findlay punts was returned by Dunson for six. This season, Dunson has also returned an onside kick for a touchdown.

Defensively, the Eagles are led by senior linebacker Carmon Wolfe. Wolfe leads the team with 81 tackles and also has six tackles for loss. Logan Kerr has recorded 53 tackles and leads the team with six interceptions on the year, as he has picked off at least one pass in five consecutive games. Julian Goodwine is second on the team with 65 tackles. Ashland High School alum Tyler McFarlin is third with 56 tackles, and senior Tarell Lewis is fourth with 53.

The Eagles and Storm will kick off senior day at 1 p.m. at Jack Miller Stadium.