Eagles eyeing playoffs after tough 2014
By Nick Terry sports@rrdailyherald.com | 0 comments
2014 Review
LASKER — The Northeast Academy football team opened last season with a 28-20 win against Community Christian, but didn’t have much to cheer about after that as it dropped its final eight games.
“Last year, we won the first game and it was downhill from there,” head coach Stevie Flythe said. “It was a tough year; we had lower numbers and we had a few injuries. We just couldn’t ever get on track.”
The Eagles carried 12 players on their roster last year, which according to senior Cody Wells, made it tough on he and his teammates to properly prepare for each game.
“We didn’t have any way to scrimmage or anything,” he said. “It was a struggle.”
Returning Players
Flythe said this year’s team will have a good number of returners and mentioned Wells, Bruce Sonnenberg and Nathan Rowe, among others, as guys he’s looking for big things from.
Another player who Flythe and Wells said they expect to help Northeast Academy improve is quarterback Matt Little, who is returning to the team after a season off.
Fresh Faces
Although the veterans from last year’s squad will be counted on, Flythe said he also was expecting a lot of production from guys who will be making their first appearances for the Eagles.
One player who has stood out so far in camp is lineman Christian Bland, who Wells said he expects to make a huge impact on both lines.
“He’s going to be one of the better offensive linemen in the league; he’s strong,” the senior said.
Offense
The Eagles will look a little different on the offensive side of the ball as Flythe said he intends to operate out of two offensive sets this season.
“I’ve got a power formation, and I’ve got a speed formation,” the fifth-year coach said. “We’re going to try to do a little bit of everything this year. If somebody stops us in tight, we’re going to spread the field on them, too.”
According to Flythe, one reason for the implementation of multiple sets this year is the increase in players he has on the roster, which allows him to work with multiple options on the field.
“We’re blessed with numbers this year,” he said of the roster nearly doubling from last season. “It’s going to be something different than we’ve had for probably the last three or four years.”
Defense
Not much will look different on the defensive side of the ball for the Eagles as Flythe said he plans to stick with his usual three-man front.
“Basically we run a three-man front, but we’ll throw a few little trinkets in with it,” he said. “Occasionally, we’ll go to a four-man front, but most of the time it’s a three-man front, though.”
Special Teams
With just more than a week to go until the season opener, the Eagles appear to have their special teams unit set.
Flythe said he intends to have Rowe handle kicking duties while Little takes care of the punts. Josh Byrd, who will be one of the Eagles’ running backs, will also serve as the squad’s primary return man.
Circle Your Calendar
For Flythe, it’s hard to look past the opener against Southampton Academy.
Flythe said this one stands out to him because of the importance of getting off to a hot start in what he expects to be a bounce-back season for the Eagles.
But in spite of the importance of this game, Flythe and Wells said they have their eyes on another big matchup later in the season.
“I can’t say we don’t have Halifax circled,” Flythe said. “That’s the big rivalry.”
Said Wells: “We’re going to try to take it one game at a time, but I say Halifax, that’s No. 1.”
Northeast Academy will meet Halifax Academy Oct. 2 at home.
2015 Outlook
Northeast Academy’s goal for the upcoming season is simple: Make the state playoffs and then perform well enough to contend for a championship.
“We’re looking to get back in the state playoffs after last year and looking for a state championship is our big goal,” Flythe said. “We want to take it one game at a time.”
Said Wells: “I hope everybody just gives a good effort, and we’ll be in every game and win a lot of them, win all of them if we can.”
By Nick Terry sports@rrdailyherald.com | 0 comments
2014 Review
LASKER — The Northeast Academy football team opened last season with a 28-20 win against Community Christian, but didn’t have much to cheer about after that as it dropped its final eight games.
“Last year, we won the first game and it was downhill from there,” head coach Stevie Flythe said. “It was a tough year; we had lower numbers and we had a few injuries. We just couldn’t ever get on track.”
The Eagles carried 12 players on their roster last year, which according to senior Cody Wells, made it tough on he and his teammates to properly prepare for each game.
“We didn’t have any way to scrimmage or anything,” he said. “It was a struggle.”
Returning Players
Flythe said this year’s team will have a good number of returners and mentioned Wells, Bruce Sonnenberg and Nathan Rowe, among others, as guys he’s looking for big things from.
Another player who Flythe and Wells said they expect to help Northeast Academy improve is quarterback Matt Little, who is returning to the team after a season off.
Fresh Faces
Although the veterans from last year’s squad will be counted on, Flythe said he also was expecting a lot of production from guys who will be making their first appearances for the Eagles.
One player who has stood out so far in camp is lineman Christian Bland, who Wells said he expects to make a huge impact on both lines.
“He’s going to be one of the better offensive linemen in the league; he’s strong,” the senior said.
Offense
The Eagles will look a little different on the offensive side of the ball as Flythe said he intends to operate out of two offensive sets this season.
“I’ve got a power formation, and I’ve got a speed formation,” the fifth-year coach said. “We’re going to try to do a little bit of everything this year. If somebody stops us in tight, we’re going to spread the field on them, too.”
According to Flythe, one reason for the implementation of multiple sets this year is the increase in players he has on the roster, which allows him to work with multiple options on the field.
“We’re blessed with numbers this year,” he said of the roster nearly doubling from last season. “It’s going to be something different than we’ve had for probably the last three or four years.”
Defense
Not much will look different on the defensive side of the ball for the Eagles as Flythe said he plans to stick with his usual three-man front.
“Basically we run a three-man front, but we’ll throw a few little trinkets in with it,” he said. “Occasionally, we’ll go to a four-man front, but most of the time it’s a three-man front, though.”
Special Teams
With just more than a week to go until the season opener, the Eagles appear to have their special teams unit set.
Flythe said he intends to have Rowe handle kicking duties while Little takes care of the punts. Josh Byrd, who will be one of the Eagles’ running backs, will also serve as the squad’s primary return man.
Circle Your Calendar
For Flythe, it’s hard to look past the opener against Southampton Academy.
Flythe said this one stands out to him because of the importance of getting off to a hot start in what he expects to be a bounce-back season for the Eagles.
But in spite of the importance of this game, Flythe and Wells said they have their eyes on another big matchup later in the season.
“I can’t say we don’t have Halifax circled,” Flythe said. “That’s the big rivalry.”
Said Wells: “We’re going to try to take it one game at a time, but I say Halifax, that’s No. 1.”
Northeast Academy will meet Halifax Academy Oct. 2 at home.
2015 Outlook
Northeast Academy’s goal for the upcoming season is simple: Make the state playoffs and then perform well enough to contend for a championship.
“We’re looking to get back in the state playoffs after last year and looking for a state championship is our big goal,” Flythe said. “We want to take it one game at a time.”
Said Wells: “I hope everybody just gives a good effort, and we’ll be in every game and win a lot of them, win all of them if we can.”
