Eastern University Football welcomes the Anna Maria College AMCATS to Radnor Street Road for the 2025 opener for both teams.
The AMCATS finished 2024 with some stellar offensive numbers in their final season in the ECFC. They finished the year ranked 11th in passing and 16th in total offense. Though they finished 4-5, they put up 474 yards per contest overall and averaged over thirty points per game in their losses.
They will, however, have some questions to answer going into the 2025 campaign. Three -year starter Ryan Russell finished his career with over 6700 yards passing and nearly 900 yards rushing. Traeshawn Blair rushed 23 times per game and Lyfe Shaw Stevens averaged nearly five yards per carry in limited action.
With a new offense on the field, the AMCATS will look to improve a defense that allowed over thirty points and 416 yards per contest. Anna Maria will compete in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference for the first time this fall. Coach Kingsley's squad was picked fourth int he preseason poll for that league.
The Eagles will, for probably the first time, have a decided experience edge over their opening-game foes. In the program's fourth year, the two-deep is now full of veteran players. Many of those veterans played a key role in Eastern's strong finish last fall.
Brett Nabb is slated to start under center, and the Eagles will likely remain balanced in running and passing. Nabb ran for over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns, and
Jeremiah Avrilien 697 yards and
Curtis Johnson will also run behind an offensive line that is another year older and stronger. Eastern's top-nine receivers from last year are all back.
While they have gained some size, the Eagles will continue to rely on a defense that is fast and aggressive.
Gashawn Moody Sr., a two-time All-Region performer will be a key player on the back end, and a deep linebacker group will be used to stop the run and get pressure in key situations.
Jason Bateman, who also ran sprints for Eastern Track and Field was second on the Eagles with 55 tackles last fall.
On the line,
Salif Nikiema had four sacks and seven tackles for loss. With
Logan McGowan out with injury, the Eagles will need to replace the energy and leadership he brought to the defense.
Kicker
John Nolek and punter
John Westfield join kick returner
Chris Rivera, punt returners
Justin Nikolopoulos and
Elijah Knowles and long snapper
Sean McNamara to give the Eagles an experienced and talented group on special teams.
The Eagles are back here against Alvernia for the MAC opener next Saturday.
The field at Radnor Street Road is less than a mile from Eastern's campus. The Physical Address of the entrance to the field is 40.055594, -75.387954 but 850 Radnor Street Road will get you close.
Ticket Information
Adults: $10
- Seniors (65 and older) :$5
- Non EU Student: $5
- Youth (4 through 13): $5
- Children under 3: Free
- Students with Eastern ID: Free
- Staff w/ Eastern ID: Free
