Eagles eager to take next step on gridiron

After being limited to one win in each of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the Trinity Christian Academy Eagles football team is eager to continue to compete at a high level while being in a position to succeed with experienced players returning on both sides of the ball.

“Our main goal is to compete better each week and put ourselves in a position to be successful,” head coach Cody McKenzie said. “The last couple of years have been trying with young players and a limited roster. This year we have grown in size and numbers. Our young players are upperclassmen with two varsity seasons under their belt. We have added a few to the roster that have made an instant impact on this team.”

Some of those impact players include Canaan Kaznowski, who will be the team’s quarterback while also playing defensive back. MCKenzie said Kaznowski is a dynamic athlete who is making plays with his arm and feet. Skill players helping him make it happen include Pearson Kuykendall, Braxton Lewis, Owen Coates, Hank Nash, Patrick Gullatt, and Marshall Hughes.

In the trenches, Rhyder Dawson, Kadin James, Matthew Nester, Max Johnson, Micah Harless, and Brogan Chapman are expected to play a major role this season and the Eagles will be relying on them to clear the way.

“We are a much more physical team this season,” McKenzie said. “Our players have busted their tails since the offseason getting stronger and tougher both physically and mentally. Staying healthy will be a vital factor in our success, but the improvements made in the offseason have led to a much improved team on the field.”

TCA will return between five and seven starters on each side of the ball, according to McKenzie. Furthermore, the Eagles aim to up their scoring average from nine points per game and to lower their defensive average of 27 points per game from a season ago.

The team’s motto this year is “TOUGH,” which McKenzie said stands for being tough mentally, physically and spiritually based on scripture from 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, which will be needed to fuel the team’s impact in the win column.

“Each week the goal is to be 1-0,” McKenzie said. “The players are ready, they are holding each other accountable.”