United Local aims to build on recent success

HANOVERTON, Ohio (WKBN) – In the last few seasons here at United Local , head coach DJ Ogilve and the Eagles have continued checking off boxes on a historic checklist, and despite losing some key pieces, this year is no different.

“It’s always much more enjoyable to do something for the first time in school history with a bunch of good kids,” Ogilvie said.

A couple of seasons ago, United made the playoffs for the first time in school history.

“Making the playoffs, that was a big deal for us; now if we don’t make the playoffs, it’d be horrible,” senior Logan Wood said.

Then last year, they one-upped in with the first 10-win season for the Eagles in 45 years.

“The expectation keeps growing, our goals get bigger, we’re fighting for week 13 this year, so we just keep growing on what we’ve accomplished,” Wood said.

“We’ve had good success with reloading every year, just the seniors taking charge of the football team and not skipping a beat,” Ogilvie said.

Coach Ogilvie and the company will bring back another stout defense and line with Wood and Trent Ellyson returning but will need some others, like Parker Newburn, to fill in the gaps.

“Each year, we’ve had some sort of identity there, running the ball or throwing the ball,” Ogilvie said. “This year, it’s we’ve got a lot of new guys playing, so we have to find that identity.”

The exit of the main key playmakers paves the way for those like Kollyn Wells to step up to other positions.

“There’s a lot more opportunities for a lot more people right now,” Wells said. “I think we have it good even though we lost a lot. I think we’re gaining a lot too.”

The Eagles will open up the season on Friday, Aug. 23 on the road as they travel to Minerva for Week 1. View the full United Football schedule here .

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