The Aquilian September 2014 Volume 77, Number 1
Gonzaga College High School Men For Others Since 1821
19 Eye St, NW Washington, DC 20001
Trivers Era Begins, Eagles Set Eyes on the Prize By: Derrell Bouknight ‘15 Editor-In-Chief Before the beginning of school in early August, the 2014 Gonzaga Eagles set their sights on their future opponents. Prominent powerhouse Neshaminy (PA) would be the first test, followed by a clash with the Crimson Tide of crosstown opponent Dunbar High School. But with one little adjustment, the anticipation level on Eye Street shot through the roof. Football fans went into a frenzy, area teams took note, and ESPN knew that a primetime trip to Clifton, Virginia to witness the Eagles take on the number one-rated Centreville Wildcats presented itself as must-see TV. The final result was a 3114 victory for Gonzaga. Many classified the game as an upset. “Shocker” was constantly used to describe its final outcome. Debate boards and discussions on-
line overloaded with debates over how good of a football team settled into the school set in the heart of downtown D.C. But, to the boys on Eye Street, nothing came as a surprise. Back in May, Gonzaga Athletic Director Joe Reyda announced the hiring of new head football coach Randy Trivers. Following a 6-5 season that included many injuries to several key players, Trivers found himself in a promising position at Gonzaga. Anchored with talent on both sides of the ball, Gonzaga will look to live up to the expectations set forth by their #25 pre-season ranking from USA Today. By the third game, the Eagles were able to prove why the hype meter has people throughout the country buzzing. Following their 3-0 start, Gonzaga improved to #10 in the country, and with both momentum and side on their side, they look to ride their swagger into November 22’s WCAC
Championship game. Through the first three games of the 2014 season, the Eagles outscored their opponents 111-20, the most being 14 against Centreville. With weapons on both sides of the ball, Gonzaga utilizes its multi-dimensional play style that throws their opponents off guard. Led by Virginia-commit and QB Nick Johns - who is coming off an abbreviated season following a broken collarbone - the offense solidifies itself with a well-balanced mixture of rushing and passing. Future Illinois Fighting Illini RB Reggie Corbin leads the backfield and follows the blocking of his offensive line, most notably Alabama-commit Richie Petitbon. Johns also has dangerous target on the outside as well. Receivers Cam Bohlander, 6-foot-7 Luke Prominski, and 6-foot4 Jabari Greenwood (Kentucky) supply their QB with reliable hands and easy targets down the field.
With the talk of the town circulating around the offense, their defensive prowess must be accounted for as well. LB Sean Fitzgerald stands as the heart and soul of the defense, while several other players have made a name for themselves over the course of their time. The defensive line, consisting of Jack Carroll, DeAndre Easterling, and NaSheed Bridgeman, has the ability to stop the run and apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks, while the defensive backs, led by Sammy Morrison (Arizona) and five-star recruit Marcus Lewis, solidify the “No Fly Zone” for Trivers. This year’s defense will look to build upon last season’s dominating effort, especially with many returning starters and solid contributions. As easy as the Eagles make everything look - blowing out Prep and Neshaminy, along with a dominating win against Centreville - nothing has come easy. Having to
Retreat Team, p. 2
Crisis in Africa, p.3
Summer Service, p.4
New Faculty & Staff, p.8
travel to Soldier’s Home for practice, which can take anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour based on traffic, only adds to what adversity the team faces. A new coach, a new system, and the pressure to win a WCAC title after a 12-year drought only grows more as the season progresses. But, with nationally-recognized talent across the board and a coach who has proven his ability to win, Gonzaga finds itself in position to win it all. The pieces are set in stone, the fans are ready, and the Eagles have released from their nest, soaring high above the competition. When November 22nd arrives, a championship trophy will look to rest itself here on Eye Street.