When Curtis Crager took over as head coach of the Big Walnut football team, he knew it would take a little time for the Golden Eagles to adjust to his way of doing things.

After a rough first half of the season, though, the then 1-4 Eagles turned things around in a hurry. They won five of their next six, including a convincing 43-14 Division II regional playoff win against Northland on the road.

Big Walnut almost won a second playoff game the following week, too, falling to host Lake 21-20 in a triple-overtime thriller.

“With us being a new staff — bringing new terminologies and schemes to the team — it took longer than expected to see the results on the field, but the team responded and really took ownership the second half of the season,” Crager said. “Our focus on the offseason and into the summer was to continue to build on that momentum while focusing on being more disciplined with everything we do on and off the field.”

The Eagles have some big shoes to fill on both sides of the ball, but plenty coming back, too.

On the offensive side, Eli Hall, Jackson Parsons and Jack Kellough all return to anchor the line. Tight end Owen Pollock, slot receiver Brody Hatfield and wideouts Ben Ronk and Aiden West are all back at the skill positions.

Eli Stumpf, Jackson Barnecutt, Jackson Bowers and Ronk are battling at QB while BW will look to replace the production of All-Ohio running back Nate Severs by committee.

“It will not be easy to replace Nate,” Crager said. “Jace Murray, Eli Helton, Tikwan Bunting and Nolan Buirley all have a chance to run the football for us. We’re committed to being a physical team that wants to run the football … we’ve really focused on being more physical at the point of attack.”

Defensive returners include linebackers Payton Abrams, Clint Stover, Jax Lawrence and Helton. Defensive end Landen Doan is also back, as are defensive backs Austin Kawasaki, Jake Neff and Hatfield.

“Being the second year, our hope is the defense has a better understanding of run fits and responsibilities,” the coach said. “Our focus has been on being more fundamentally sound with position techniques while stressing getting 11 guys running to the football on every play.”

The Eagles have a tough non-league slate to navigate before even thinking about the always competitive OCC-Capital Division — a stretch including Division III state runner-up Bishop Watterson, Dayton Dunbar and Groveport Madison.

“We have a very difficult non-league schedule and our league should be very strong as well,” Crager said. “We really need to control the football on offense and play great defense and special teams to be competitive this year. If we can do that, we have an opportunity to compete at a high level.”

2024 Schedule

Aug. 23 — vs. Bishop Watterson, 7 p.m.

Aug. 29 — @ Dunbar, 6 p.m.

Sept. 6 — vs. Groveport-Madison, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 — vs. Delaware Hayes, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 — @ Westerville South, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 — @ Franklin Heights, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 — vs. Worthington Kilbourne, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 — @ Westerville North, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 — @ Dublin Scioto, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 — vs. Westland, 7 p.m.

2023 Results

(6-6, 4-3 OCC-Capital Division)

Aug. 18 — @ Bishop Hartley, L, 21-19

Aug. 25 — vs. Upper Arlington, L, 41-14

Sept. 1 — @ Franklin, W, 41-14

Sept. 8 — @ Delaware Hayes, L, 38-31

Sept. 15 — vs. Westerville South, L, 22-7

Sept. 22 — vs. Franklin Heights, W, 42-7

Sept. 29 — @ Worthington Kilbourne, W, 49-7

Oct. 6 — vs. Westerville North, L, 22-13

Oct. 13 — vs. Dublin Scioto, W, 37-0

Oct. 20 — @ Canal Winchester, W, 17-0

Oct. 27 — @ Northland, W, 43-14 (OHSAA state playoffs)

Nov. 3 — @ Lake, L, 21-20 (3OT) (OHSAA state playoffs)