Eastern Football made history in 2025 when they broke onto the scene in only their third varsity season of competition, boasting a 10-2 record, winning a MAC championship with an 8-1 conference record, winning a playoff game over Franklin and Marshall and even hosting a playoff game at Radnor Street Road.
After a big year like that, expectations are high that Eastern football can take the next step forward and possibly make a run in the playoffs. They were recently voted as favorites to repeat in the MAC conference, acquiring all 9 possible first-place votes in the poll, as well as earning 81 points in the poll outside of first place. Eastern Football returned 13 of its seniors from last year as graduate players for 2026 and added a large freshman class to round out the roster going into 2026.
While they had a few departures to graduation or the transfer portal, Eastern managed to return most of its core players that played a huge role in leading the team to the NCAA playoffs. Reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year, All-MAC First Team QB and Academic All-MAC Selection, Brett Nabb returns to lead the offense through one last ride as Eastern’s Quarterback. On the other side of the ball, reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year, D3Football.com and Associated Press D3 All-American, D3Football.com All-Region 1 Defensive Player of the Year, Cliff Harris Award Finalist, All-MAC First Team LB Jason Bateman returns to the team for his senior season as well.
Other notable returners include All-MAC First-Team DB and Academic All-MAC selection Tajere Jackson-Alston, All-MAC First-Team OL Alvin Carpenter, All-MAC Second Team RB Jeremiah Avrilien, All-MAC Second Team Kicker John Nolek, All-MAC Second Team Returner Chris Rivera and All-MAC Second Team DL Freddie Dinardo. Of course, the Eagles are also led by returning MAC Coach of the Year, and D3Football.com All-Region 1 Coach of the Year, Head Coach Billy Crocker.
Eastern Football did just suffer a tough loss, 24-14, in their season opener, when they traveled on the road to play #24 Endicott College on Sept. 5. However, the remaining nine games on the schedule are strictly conference games. Eastern’s next four games are extremely important to their season. They start with a home game against Misericordia (Sept. 12), followed by another home game against Lebanon Valley College (Sept. 19), then an away game at Delaware Valley (Sept. 26) and ending with another home game against King’s College (Oct. 10). The Eagles will be favored in each of these matchups, however, Eastern has not yet beaten Lebanon Valley in program history and did drop one of their two losses last year to Lebanon Valley.
Eastern was victorious in each of those matchups last year besides the previously mentioned Lebanon Valley matchup. They defeated Misericordia 28-21, Delaware Valley 37-20 and King’s 39-37. Eastern also defeated Stevenson last year 16-10, claiming the MAC Championship at the end of the year. Depending on how the standings shake out, the Eagles’ Nov. 7 contest with Stevenson could also turn out to be a very significant game.
If Eastern can manage to win each of those contests, they will be well on their way to being repeat MAC champions. Delaware Valley was picked as the runner up in the MAC football poll, as well as Misericordia, Lebanon Valley, King’s and Stevenson who rounded out the Top 6 besides Eastern.
The other games on the schedule include a home game against Widener (Oct. 17), an away game at Alvernia (Oct. 26), another away game at Albright (Oct. 31) and at FDU-Florham (Nov. 14).
