Enloe Eagles 2025 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end of July, we're getting closer to the beginning of the season. So, we're continuing our team preview series.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Enloe Eagles are knocking on the door of being a true contender just a few years after going 1-26 from 2020 to 2022. With an interesting quarterback situation and plenty of returning talent, what can the Eagles do in 2025?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Enloe Eagles Season Preview</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Info</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608302' first='Ryan' last='Smith']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Record: </strong>6-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Conference:</strong> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mip-greater-neuse-river-7a-conference/">Cap 8A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key 2025 Games: </strong>vs. Broughton (9/19), @ Leesville Road (10/10), vs. Corinth Holders (10/24)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Storyline</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we always focus heavily on the players, I'll never complain about a fun coaching storyline. Enloe legacy Ryan Clark took over for a winless team in May 2021. Then the Eagles went 1-19 in his first two seasons before winning four games in year three and six in year four. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm interested to see if the Eagles can build on momentum. Enloe isn't a school with a rich football tradition as last season was just the second winning season since 2004, so I want to know if a confident team with a lot of returning talent can build on one of the best seasons in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Enloe Eagles Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Offense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have to start at quarterback, with one of the more unique situations in the state. As a sophomore last year, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1646740' first='Leo' last='Gorga']</strong> was supposed to be the starter, but got injured after attempting just one pass in the opener, never playing again in 2024. After rolling with a now-graduated senior for much of the year, the Eagles began to use freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616112' first='Jonah' last='El-Amin']</strong> more behind center and the results were promising.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't like to speculate on quarterback battles, but I do know that whoever wins the job will have earned it, and the Eagles will be in good shape at the game's most important position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They'll lose a 1,000-yard rusher, but return athletes <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658601' first='Chase' last='White']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680041' first='Ziyeir' last='Leach']</strong>, who combined for over 1,500 scrimmage yards last season. It's an interesting offense designed around versatile athletes who can succeed from varying alignments. In terms of team-building, it helps ease some concerns that come with graduations as guys typically play multiple positions throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Former Broughton running back <strong>O'sean Johnson</strong> also enters the fray, giving them a slightly bigger option to go with the smaller White and Leach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some question marks at receiver as most of that group graduated, so the Eagles will look for a player or two to step up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line is in good shape, anchored by two massive tackles, rising juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1649251' first='Noah' last='Nelson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1649248' first='Sam' last='Offor']</strong>. Don't sleep on right guard <strong>Rob Harp</strong> who has college potential on the inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Defense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense isn't quite as experienced as the offense, but there's some talented players who will step into bigger roles this season. The defensive line, in particular, is in strong shape, despite losing the leading sack artist from last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1741938' first='Derek' last='Matthis']</strong> is the leading returner when it comes to sacks, after a four-sack season in 2024. The versatile defender who can play on the edge or off the ball put on weight and really gotten after it in the weight room this offseason. Similarly, interior defender <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1657901' first='Zion' last='Hayes']</strong> was having an excellent junior season before it was cut short due to injury. He's undersized, but he holds up at the point of attack and has the talent to provide a huge boost to a front that could have some excellent moments this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1741971' first='Alexander' last='Chapman-Evans']</strong> has high-level athleticism and versatility, as he's able to play at all three levels of the defense. Enloe is counting on him to have a breakout season and if he plays well, he gives the defense the ability to show multiple looks with the same personnel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The coaching staff is also high on long, athletic edge rusher <strong>Jacob Stanford</strong> and he could factor into the rotation in pass-rushing situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the back end, seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1709365' first='Ryan' last='Person']</strong> and <strong>Amil Richardson</strong> are the headliners, while Leach can play a few positions in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense doesn't have to be elite, but if the unit can get some stops and cause occasional havoc, the Eagles will be in good shape as a team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Verdict</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I want to see continued progress from this Enloe Eagles team. There are some young playmakers here with multiple years of eligibility remaining, so in a tough conference, I think grinding out a few wins would be huge for the Eagles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More than that, with a few winnable, but tough nonconference games, getting off to a good start will be key. If the Eagles can start 2-1 or 3-0, I think they can get to 4-3 or even 5-2 in the conference. Given the prestige of the CAP 8A conference and the strength of schedule, that could be enough to host a home playoff game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team feels hungry and it's not just a matter of getting to the playoffs or finishing the year with a winning record. I think this team is talented enough (especially on the offensive side of the ball) to win a game or two in the playoffs, something that would be considered historic for the school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It comes down to quarterback and receiver play. The Eagles will need strong leadership and decision-making from whoever earns the starting quarterback job and it certainly wouldn't hurt if another productive receiver emerged as a third option behind White and Leach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, I like this team and look forward to scouting some of their players in person this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>A special thanks to Enloe head coach Ryan Clark for sharing his prospect sheet and thoughts on his team. <em>Want to send this report to someone who isn't a subscriber? Support our work with promo code Helms30 so they can get 30% off their first billing cycle.</em></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->