It was an understandable rebuilding year for Stephen Edwards at Eupora after he lost several key players from an eight-win team back in 2018.
The Eagles went just 4-8 this past season but closed the year having won a playoff game before bowing out to the Class 2A North State champions of North Side. The offseason has been about building the young team’s character and bodies into what Edwards believes will prepare them for a tough Region 2 in the future.
After a nice start to the offseason in the weight room, however, the team’s work came to an end when the coronavirus hit the United States. It cut short spring football for the Eagles and football period until further notice.
“We were just going to do spring football amongst ourselves because we felt like baseball was going to go far this year. We were going to practice two weeks so I didn’t think we were going to lose a whole lot,” Edwards said. “We got done maxing out in the weight room before spring break and they’ve really gone up. Younger kids are really getting stronger and making gains and then everything shutdown. It’s disappointing for sure.”
The practices themselves wasn’t what Edwards felt was the biggest hit to his team. Edwards believes that his players’ biggest step forward was in strength and conditioning, something that they needed after having such a young team a season ago.
Taking that away was tough, but he also thinks that this time away from football shows players what they’re missing. It should provide a different perspective on life when they finally do get to return to the field.
“The weight room is a trigger for them and makes them want to work harder. So the weight room was the biggest loss,” Edwards said. “I think kids will see during this time that they need to put that extra effort in because it can be taken away from them. It reignites why we’re doing things and it’s a teaching tool.”
Edwards is confident that his players will be rejuvenated when they’re back under his direction and he’s excited about what’s ahead.
The Eagles return starting quarterback Cade Adkins and most of his offensive weapons and young players are starting to step forward as options all over the field. When the whistle gets to blow again, it will be a sound that Edwards won’t take for granted.
“We’ve got a lot of kids, especially on offense, coming back. All of the offensive line minus MJ Thomas is coming back, our quarterbacks and skill players. We’re losing some guys defensively, but a lot of the younger kids ended up playing at the end of the year,” Edwards said. “We have question marks about some things but the staff has an idea what we’re trying to do.”
