NEOSI High School Preview: Elyria Pioneers

Last night, Elyria High School Football was represented by Head Coach Kevin Fell. The Elyria Pioneers went 6-5 last season and reached the playoffs, falling in the first round to Olentangy, 31-21. Elyria is a part of the Greater Cleveland Conference, which also consists of Brunswick, Strongsville, Solon, Euclid, Medina, Shaker Heights and Mentor, four of which made the playoffs last year (Euclid, Mentor, Solon, Elyria). I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Fell about the Pioneers’ 2015 season and the outlook on the 2016 season.

Below is a few of the highlights from the interview.

When talking about what the team gathered from last year’s playoff loss to Olentangy:

“Well, we were a pretty young football team last year. This year we’re a year older but we got some new guy too. I think it gave us some confidence. I know one thing, it gave them a desire to play football again.”

Some Key Players To Watch This Year:

“We’ve got two outstanding offensive players. Chris Atkinson, who is a Senior running back who has the potential to probably be the all-time leading rusher of Elyria High, and Elyria High has had a few of them over the years. And a Junior quarterback by the name of Dontae Beckett who started last year, all eleven games for us. This year I think he’s the key. I think if he can stay healthy and he can continue to improve, he can carry a team on his back. When he’s on, he’s as good as anybody and when he’s not on, we struggle a bit.”

Thoughts On Playing Tough Competition Such as Solon:

“I think they help a lot when you beat them. We had a run there where we lost to Euclid in the last minute, who was in the playoffs pretty deep. We lost to Solon in the last minute then we started to play.”

Coach Fell and the Pioneers will look to start off strong this year with a non-conference game against the Avon Lake Shoremen. The schedule for the full season is below.

 Friday 08/26/16 Avon Lake HS Home 7:00PM

Saturday 09/03/16 Lorain HS Home 2:00 PM

Friday 09/09/16 Shaw Away 7:00PM

Friday 09/16/16 Medina Away 7:00PM

Friday 09/23/16 Brunswick Home 7:00PM

Saturday 10/01/16 Shaker Heights Away 1:00PM

Friday 10/07/16 Euclid (Homecoming) Home 7:00 PM

Friday 10/14/16 Solon High School Away 7:00 PM

Friday 10/21/16 Strongsville (Pink Out and Senior Night) Home 7:00 PM

Friday 10/28/16 Mentor Away 7:00PM