Experience has Eisenhower excited

The first year under Patrick Lord wasn’t exactly the greatest in Eisenhower football history. The Eagles, behind quarterback Richard Redd, were exciting offensively but couldn’t stop anyone on defense, leading to a 1-9 record and a three-way tie for last place in the Citrus Belt League.

But despite that, Lord is pumped. With 17 starters returning from last year’s youthful group and an entire offseason to work with, the Eagles feel that their performance in 2010 will show considerable improvement.

“I feel that we’ve learned a lot and have come more together as a team because of what we went through,” Lord said. “I feel like these kids are ready to win and, more importantly, they think they can win.”

One thing that has been a point of emphasis in the offseason is conditioning. Lord didn’t come in last year until the spring, and he feels that the relative inactivity of his team in winter and early spring was a reason for their downfall.

“We were pretty competitive and stayed with teams in the first half last year but wore down in the second because we weren’t in good condition,” Lord said. “I have them for the entire offseason and we’ve been working on being in the best condition. We will not wear down this year.”

By not wearing down, the Eagles hope they can reduce their points per game allowed from 47 to a much more manageable number. Senior defensive end Alex Larson-Cruz and sophomore linebacker Michael Neil are guys that Lord is high on along with senior defensive back Jonathan McMillian.

McMillian and sophomore DeSean Miller have been battling for the quarterback spot on offense. Both of them will have the luxury of throwing to junior Marvon Brooks or senior Albert Jackson. Senior guard Daniel Berumn will anchor the Eagle offensive line.

Eisenhower 2010 schedule (* indicates league game)

Sept. 10 – at Cajon
Sept. 17 – BLOOMINGTON
Sept. 24 – ARROYO VALLEY
Oct. 1 – at Temecula Great Oak
Oct. 8 – ETIWANDA
Oct. 15 – MILLER*
Oct. 22 – at Redlands East Valley (U of Redlands)*
Oct. 29 – at Redlands*
Nov. 5 – at Fontana*
Nov. 12 – at Yucaipa*

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