PEMBERVILLE, OH (WTOL) -
The Eastwood Eagles always fly high in the Northern Buckeye Conference.
10-0 in the regular season and a deep run the playoffs last year sets the bar really high for this year's squad.
The Eagles graduated 18 seniors, meaning you'll see plenty of new starters under the Friday night lights.
"We've been encouraging our seniors, 'hey this is your turn. This is your shot. Come out here and make some plays, and make sure you set the tone for the younger guys,'" said head coach Craig Rutherford.
They are going to have to do it without their three-year starting quarterback Jake Pickerel. Replacing him will be either Gavin Slattman or Noah Henline.
"We knew it was going to be somebody new no matter what. We're just trying to get both guys reps, and see who can lead the offense best. But it's fun. I think both guys can play some defense too. Noah and Gavin both will give us a shot to win some games," said Rutherford.
"We have a whole different lineup than we did last year. Being the backup last year, I knew all the guys and I knew all the players so it was pretty easy. Having new faces this year, we'll get in sync with each other and start moving forward," Slattman.
One guy Eastwood is happy to have return is junior running back Jaydon Rayford. He's trying to build off a great rushing season last year.
"As a player, I just want to keep pushing myself to become a better, faster, stronger running back. I also want to be a better leader for the team because we don't have a lot of seniors this year," said Rayford.
Eastwood begins their season at Ottawa-Glandorf.
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