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PREVIEW: New Regime Wants Better Results at Eastern in 2014

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Editor's Note: Over the next two weeks our reporters will be bringing you team previews for each team in the SEOAL, TVC-Ohio, TVC-Hocking, and our West Virginia teams. We continue in the TVC-Hocking, where Trimble and Wahama are still the top teams. 

After finishing seventh in the TVC-Hocking in 2013 the Eastern Eagles have change on their mind. This season holds a new coach, new players and a new attitude for the Eagles.

The Eagles finished 2-8 overall, and 2-6 in the conference last year, as they defeated only Miller and Waterford. However, the Eagles have a new coach this year–Pat Newland–who is looking to rebuild everything.

With a new coach comes a new attitude for the Eagles. Coach Newland says that the goal this season is “to fly around and have fun” and “make it a positive experience.”

Newland is focused on correcting the mistakes of past seasons and figuring out how to learn and improve the team over all. “If you make a mistake we will coach,” he says.

According to Newland the Eagles main priority in practice has been mastering their fundamentals, spending a lot of their time on things like blocking and tackling.

“If we can work on getting blocking and tackling the rest will follow,” Newland says.

The Eagles have a number of returning players who should have an impact on the team. Sophomore Jett Facemyer and senior Christian Speelman will be sharing the field at quarterback this year, and running back Tristan Goodnite and wide receiver Cameron Richmond will be the top offensive threats this year according to Newland. 

Brayden Holter, Brent Welch and Jacob Tuttle will also be returning to field as linemen this season, providing the team with a “good, big, fast tackles” says Newland.

The Eagles have a tough schedule lined up for them this season, which includes facing Trimble and Wahama back-to-back in weeks seven and eight, before finishing the season at Belpre and then home with Southern.  

“Every game is going to be a dogfight for us this season” says Newland.

The Eagles open their season Friday August 29th against River High School.

'Gridiron Glory' airs every Friday night at 11:30 p.m. on WOUB. You can follow the show on Twitter @gridironglory, like the Gridiron Glory page on Facebook, and follow along on Instagram @woubsports. You can also join the conversation throughout the season by using the hashtag #GridGlory