Establishing seniority

As the EWU football season begins to wind down, so do the careers of many of the Eagle's brightest stars.

When the team takes the field this weekend against the Montana State Bobcats, it will be the last Governor's Cup for the 2006 seniors.

Most Eagles fans are used to seeing the success the seniors have brought to the field throughout the years, although it didn't always seem like it would be that way to quarterback Erik Meyer.

"When I first got here, I didn't think we would have the kind of success we are having now," said Meyer. "It seemed like a long way from playing time."

Some, like fullback Lars Slind, were more sure of what the future held.

"Anytime you come into a team you think of the future success you are going to have," said Slind. "You think about winning championships."

They came from different backgrounds, and they came to Eastern for different reasons.

For Meyer, EWU was far from home. For Slind, it meant a scholarship offer. For wide receiver Eric Kimble, it meant the opportunity to stay close to home.

"I came to EWU because it let me stay near my family," said Kimble.

For whatever reason, the seniors who came to Cheney to play for the Eagles have certainly brought impressive results.

Erik Meyer is the second most efficient quarterback in NCAA I-AA history. Kimble is third in career touchdown reception in I-AA. Slind opens up the holes for bruising running back Ryan Cole, as well as providing superb pass blocking. Wide receivers Craig McIntyre and Raul Vijil have combined for 10 touchdowns and 1,330 yards. Joey Cwik leads the team with 70 tackles. Jesse Hendrix leads the team in interceptions.

"This is the most committed and driven to win class we've had since I got here," Head Coach Paul Wulff said. "These guys want to see the program succeed. They have sacrificed themselves for five years, been unselfish for five years."

Slind attributed the success of the seniors to the intangibles.

"The closeness is what has really helped us get the success we wanted," Slind said.

Wulff saw that what the seniors brought to the team went far beyond the football field.

"The leadership has been tremendous," he said. "It is the best we've ever had."

Wulff attributes the senior's leadership to the perseverance through the injuries the Eagles have suffered this year.

"With all the adversity we've had this year, especially with injuries; their leadership is what has gotten us through," he said.

While Eastern prepares for the Bobcats this Saturday, the seniors prepare to make the most out of their time left as Eagles. As the season winds down, most of the seniors approach the last time they will strap on the pads. A few, such as Meyer and Kimble, hope to continue playing in the NFL.

The seniors will try to extend their season as far as they can, by beating the Bobcats and taking care of UC Davis the following weekend.

Just as they all came to EWU for different reasons, many of them see the legacy their class leaves in different ways.

"I want people ten years from now to look back and say 'remember 2005?'" said Meyer.

"I think the real story of our class is still being written," said Slind.