A new school year is upon Eastern University, and that comes with a new Eastern Football schedule. Last year, the Eagles finished the season with a 5-4 conference record, 5-5 overall and third in the MAC Commonwealth conference. With kickoff already underway with the September 6th game at Anna Maria College, let’s take a look at what the Eastern Community should get excited about as the football team enters their third varsity season!
There is a buzz in the air since the Eagles finished with a winning conference record in 2024. The Eagles were not projected to finish very high last season. Billy Crocker, Eastern’s Head Coach, said, “I think the thing we’re most excited about is building on the momentum of how we finished last year.” Going 4-1 in their last five games of 2024, there is something to be said about the mentality of this team. In their last game against FDU-Fordham, the Eagles scored 20 unanswered points to win the game 37-33. “I think our guys have a feeling of confidence from that momentum we finished the season with,” Crocker states.
Crocker mentioned the team has, “seen a lot of growth from our quarterback, Brett Nabb.” Crocker also spoke positively about having a full season out of Wide Receiver Justin Nikolopoulos, who missed the beginning half of last season with a broken foot.
Challenges are sure to arise during any football season. With 10 weeks of regular season games, injuries are bound to occur. However, there are various ways the coaches ensure their players stay in top shape throughout the season. This includes training all season, not just light work. Crocker highlighted that the players who get reps every Saturday have lifts twice a week, while players who may not get as many reps on Saturdays, and who are considered “developmental guys,” have good lifts three times a week. Crocker also added that he and his staff teach the players how to practice smarter to prevent injuries as much as possible.
The MAC Commonwealth conference looks strong this year, which will provide a good challenge for Eastern. The Eagles were ranked third in the coaches’ preseason poll, which puts some pressure on them to perform well.
Students and alumni are encouraged to come and cheer on another exciting season of Eastern Football. “We would love to see more and more students come up [to Valley Forge] on a Saturday afternoon, and have fun for a few hours,” Crocker says. Athletics is becoming a staple here at Eastern and football is on the rise, which means there are more opportunities to get involved and spaces to show Eagle spirit as we kick off a new school year.