Eastern heads to Annville on Saturday with a chance to flip the early history in this series. Lebanon Valley won each of the first two varsity meetings—45–7 in 2023 in Annville and 40–24 last fall at Radnor Street Road—and owns a 2–0 edge heading into the weekend. Eastern arrives 2–0 (1–0 MAC) after wins over Anna Maria and Alvernia, signaling a team growing in confidence and identity.

The Eagles' identity starts on the ground. Eastern is averaging 322.0 rushing yards per game at 6.6 yards per carry, part of 403.0 total yards per game through two contests. Sophomore Jeremiah Avrilien already has 297 rushing yards and five TDs, and last week he set a program single-game record with 184 yards, earning his second MAC Offensive Player of the Week of 2025. Quarterback Brett Nabb adds a dual-threat dimension with 265 rushing yards and 153 passing yards so far.

Defense and situational football have traveled, too. Eastern has surrendered just 95 rushing yards total (47.5/game) and 3.4 yards per play across two games, while holding opponents to 28% on third down and owning a 32:16 average time of possession. The Eagles have produced impact plays—most notably Dru Beckford's pick-six—and are a perfect 3-for-3 on fourth down.

Special teams have helped tilt the field. Punter John Westfield is averaging 43.5 yards per punt with a long of 67 and four punts downed inside the 20, giving Eastern a valuable weapon in the field-position game. The Dutchmen have been solid on returns and blocked a punt for a touchdown. 

Coach Crocker is insistent that his team must be more disciplined. Eastern has been flagged 18 times for 170 yards, and the impact has gone beyond simple lost yards on penalty totals. In the first two games, flags have erased nearly 150 yards of successful plays. Those losses were particularly distressing as the Eagles were trying to pull away from Alvernia in the MAC opener. Penalties negated two long touchdown runs and multiple first downs against Alvernia. Avoiding those costly setbacks will be critical against a Lebanon Valley defense that thrives on pressure and momentum swings. Penalties could put the Eagles behind the sticks and give the Dutchmen opportunities to hunt turnovers. 

Lebanon Valley (1–1, 1–0 MAC) answers with balance and big-play ability. The Dutchmen average 222.0 rushing yards and 136.5 passing yards per game; RB Dion Bryant leads the way with 274 yards (8.1 per carry), while QB Logan Klitsch has 273 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT. The LVC defense has already produced five sacks, a blocked punt and three returns for touchdowns.

For Eastern, the path to a first series win runs through ball security, sustained drives, and sharper execution. If Avrilien and the offensive line keep the ground game humming, and the Eagles eliminate hidden yardage lost to penalties, they give themselves a real shot to rewrite the narrative in Annville on Saturday.

Eastern played a non-varsity game at Arnold Field in 2022 and returned for a MAC game in 2023. Both those games were played in sub-optimal weather conditions. The forecast for Saturday is for beautiful conditions.

Tickets will be available at the gate, but fans unable to make the trip can follow the game live on MAC TV or by listening to the call from Jakib Media. Those links can be found on the Football Schedule page. 


Key Matchups: Eastern at Lebanon Valley

Ground Game Battle: Jeremiah Avrilien vs. Dion Bryant
Two of the MAC's most explosive backs square off on Saturday. Eastern's Jeremiah Avrilien is averaging 148.5 yards per game with five touchdowns and broke the program's single-game record with 184 yards last week. Lebanon Valley's Dion Bryant counters with 274 yards in two games at 8.1 yards per carry. Whichever back establishes rhythm will dictate tempo.

Quarterback Efficiency: Brett Nabb vs. Logan Klitsch
Nabb's dual-threat ability has powered Eastern's option looks, combining 265 rushing yards with 153 passing yards. Klitsch, meanwhile, has provided steady leadership for LVC, completing passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. Protecting the football and converting third downs could swing momentum.

Field Position: Special Teams and Turnovers
Eastern's John Westfield has been a weapon, averaging 43.5 yards per punt with a long of 67 and four inside the 20. Justin Nikolopolous has returned three punts for 33 yards, and Chris Rivera is averaging nearly 37 yards per return on kick offs. In last Saturday's MAC opener, he Dutchmen scored their opening touchdown on a blocked punt and ran two interceptions back for touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Special teams execution will be vital in what could be a close-possession game.

Discipline and Hidden Yardage
Penalties have been costly for both sides, but Eastern has especially felt the sting. The Eagles have been flagged 18 times for 170 yards—and those penalties have erased nearly 150 yards of successful plays, including two touchdowns against Alvernia. Limiting self-inflicted wounds is essential if Eastern wants its offense to stay on schedule.