The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
PIONEERS EAGER TO OPEN NEW STADIUM
New Ely Stadium will debut on Aug. 24 as Pioneers take on the Avon Lake Shoremen
A new era is set to begin in Elyria.
The Pioneers will play in a new football stadium for the first time in 90 years when they host Avon Lake on Aug. 24.
Located south of the old stadium, Ely Stadium will usher in a football team that went 1-9 last season and hope to start things off on the right foot.
Among the many features of the new stadium is a turf field — something senior safety Noah France can’t wait to play on.
“Every game we’re playing this
year is on turf and when we play Avon Lake, everyone will show up and hopefully it will be a great game,” France said.
Playing in a worn down, and at times eerie stadium became a bit discouraging for the players and coaches.
Toward the end of last season when it started to get cold and rainy, it became difficult for players to perform well on a grass field that was either frozen or a mud pit. But that’s in the past. In a freshly minted stadium — one that will easily be in the discussion for the best in Lorain County — France is already envisioning what game nights will look like.
“It’s a new stadium and we want to start off the stadium right,” France added. “We want to get some wins this year. Our league is so good and we could be 5-5 and still make the playoffs.”
Elyria returns 11 starters — five on offense and six on defense, but lost many key cogs to both sides of the ball.
The Pioneers also had to deal with the death of junior wide receiver Brenden Rich-Beckett over the offseason, but are using it as a rallying point.
“I don’t know if our guys learned anything from last year except we’re going to have to fight to win,” Elyria coach Sean Arno said. “We’ll see. We’re young and I think as we grow, that will be a good thing as we go.
“I think having a new facility will help. They feel valued and they are valued. It’s exciting for them.”
Elyria hasn’t made the playoffs since 2015 when it lost to Lewis Center Olentangy in the first round. Restoring the Pioneer pride in a new stadium becomes Arno’s biggest challenge of his career.
Sophomore wide receiver Jesse Stevens is expected to grow into the offense.
“We’ve got to stick together,” Stevens said. “Playing in a new stadium makes us want to do better. If we can get above .500 and make it to the playoffs, I’d consider that a successful year.”
A new stadium, higher expectations and a more positive vibe around Elyria only means Arno wants to see one thing in particular from his young group.
“Fight,” he added. “Have a good attitude and effort, that’s what I’m looking for.”