27-26.
To most, those numbers mean nothing. But to those in the Avon Eagles football program, they have provided more than nine months of motivation.
After going through the 2016 regular season undefeated, and entering the Division II playoffs ranked as the No. 1 team in the state, Avon suffered a stunning loss to conference rivals Avon Lake on their home field, 27-26.
Now, every time the Eagles practice and turn on their scoreboard, the 27 and 26 are still illuminated.
“When you’ve had success like we’ve had at Avon, anytime you don’t succeed people tend to focus more on that than they did the 10-0 undefeated season in one of the best conferences in the league,” head coach Mike Elder said.
“Our expectations are things we’ve created for ourselves, and we’re not going to run from them.”
Despite the rough ending to the season, the defensive-minded Eagles, who only gave up 13.2 points per game last season, are ready to live up to expectations in 2017 with a returning core.
Leading tackler from last season, senior Kyle Kudla, will be back to lead the linebackers in Avon’s 3-4 defense, along with Alex Waters. Max Torbert will also be back at defensive end for the Eagles.
Offensively, veteran quarterback Ryan Maloy will lead Avon. The 5’11” junior saw extensive time last season as a sophomore, and with more experience, Elder said Maloy’s 2017 and 2016 preseasons are like “night and day.”
Senior quarterback Carson Gosselin has also worked incredibly hard in the offseason according to Elder, and could push Maloy for some playing time.
Maloy will have plenty of targets, including returning senior tight end Vlasi Pappas, Avon’s leading receiver from a year ago. Senior Chris Mullins is the key returner at the wide receiver spot. Maloy also has the luxury of being able to hand the ball off to returning running back Tony Eberhardt.
To go along with all of their scoring threats, the Eagles will also have plenty of protection on the offensive side of the ball, as senior Purdue University commit, Jimmy McKenna, makes his return to the offensive line.
Perhaps the scariest thing about the Eagles to opponents, however, will be their speed.
“This is probably one of the fastest teams that we’ve had statistically, if you look at our 40-yard dashes and you look at our pro-agility, and you compare it to teams in the past, we’re legitimately faster,” Elder told WEOL in their 2017 Lorain County Football Preview Show.
Behind their veterans, Avon is getting ready for an unconventional Week 1 opponent. This week, the Eagles will travel to Florida to take on Merritt Island High School on Thursday.
The game came about after Strongsville dropped Avon as their Week 1 opponent, and the Eagles were unable to find another school to play locally. But, as Elder said, the trip wasn’t planned as a vacation to try on Mickey Mouse ears (although they will get to enjoy the Disney parks once their game is done).
“Our players said we want to play someone good, so we’re playing Merritt Island, who’s been in the playoffs nine straight years and we’re going to have our hands full. But we’re really excited about that trip,” Elder said.
This Avon team will be tested early, seeing as five of their first six opponents (including Merritt Island) made the playoffs in 2016. The Eagles welcome the challenge though, as they aim to make another run at a state title.
“I think that every single week you’ve got to come ready to play or you’re going to get beat,” Elder said.
“Our players understand that, they’re working exceptionally hard. But, if you don’t come ready to play, or you make mistakes, or you turn the ball over like we did in that playoff game, you’ll lose because there’s great players and great coaches on every team in every program.”
The Eagles, perhaps better than anyone, understand that fact.
@avoneagles coach Mike Elder talks about the expectations of the community for the Eagles #locofootball pic.twitter.com/Z3KowbMwhz
— NEO Sports Insiders (@NEOSportsInside) August 15, 2017
@avoneagles coach Mike Elder talks about overcoming last seasons tough playoff loss to Avon Lake and looking ahead #locofootball pic.twitter.com/rmQOAHYExl
— NEO Sports Insiders (@NEOSportsInside) August 15, 2017
***You can listen to Elder’s entire interview with WEOL here, and below is Avon’s entire regular season schedule.
2017 Avon Eagles Schedule
8/24 @ Merritt Island High School (Fla.)
9/1 @ Olmsted Falls High School
9/8 Avon Lake High School
9/15 @ North Olmsted High School
9/22 Midview High School
9/29 @ Westlake High School
10/6 Lakewood High School
10/13 North Ridgeville High School
10/20 Amherst Steele High School
10/27 @ Berea-Midpark High School
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