Escanaba senior Javon Stephenson runs a route before a Big North Conference football game at William R. Hart Stadium in Marquette on Oct. 4, 2024. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)
ESCANABA – An unaccustomed warm day set the scene at the Escanaba practice field Tuesday afternoon.
The 4-4 Eskimos are preparing for a busy day ahead of their final regular season game against Gladstone. His body flew and his pads were slammed. Music is playing from a nearby Bluetooth speaker.
Listen to the sounds of Korn, Slayer Metalica, Pantera, Godsmack, and Mudvayne. Ironically, all the songs played at practice that day were older than every player on the Esky’s 2024 varsity roster.
Two of those players happen to be senior left tackle Cody Noel and senior wide receiver/linebacker Javon Stephenson. Both played key roles in helping the Eskimos come one win away from their first winning season since 2019.
Daily Press sports editor Mitch Vosburg, aka “The Big Dog,” chats with Noel and Stevenson and discusses the importance of Friday’s game, which sees the kids leave at 7pm at Gladstone’s Marble Athletic Fields. We talked about it.
Big Dog: Well, guys, we’ve reached week nine. It’s Gladstone week. how do you feel?
Javon Stevenson: I’m excited. I’m ready and I really want to leave here with a win.
Cody Noel: It feels so good. We’ve been circling this place for a while now, especially since last year, and have been wanting to come back to them.
BD: Let’s say someone goes to this game and sees you guys play for the first time. What do you think of Escanaba’s soccer this season?
JS: No. I think we are a different team than we have been in the past few years. I think this is a group of guys who not only want to be on the team, but want to go out and play. I think this is a group that wants to come out and win.
CN: I think we’re physically better than some teams in the past. In other words, with practice, we work harder.
BD: You guys lost three in a row to Gladstone. What are you all going to do to make sure you extend your winning streak to four?
JS: I think it’s weekly, but I’ve been thinking about this all season. This is one of those games you’ll want to take home with you. This is a must-win match.
CN: This is a rivalry game and a game we’ve wanted all season. It’s going to be a great time going there and hopefully we come back with a win.
BD: What is the biggest challenge of playing at Marble Athletic Field?
JS: Everybody knows it because it’s right across the street. It’s a really different environment than playing at home because everything around you is trying to make you lose.
CN: It’s not that far. Everyone there knows it.
BD: The playoffs may not be in the picture, but you still have a chance to go 5-4 and have the program’s first winning season since 2019. How important is that to you going into Friday?
JS: Even without the playoffs, it means a lot to the program to leave here with a winning season after the past few years. That is, it matches your win total (in wins) in one year for the past three years. It’s an incredible feeling when you actually do it.
CN: That’s great. We haven’t been able to do that for a while and it’s really special for our group to be able to do this.
BD: Guys, this might be your last week. Has it sunk in yet?
JS: Well…I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, but I can’t really think of anything yet.
CN: Yeah, me too. I’ve been playing soccer ever since I was little. That’s been on my mind this week. I didn’t know it would be this week.
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