After competing in a shortened spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Muskingum football team is locked in for their first full-length season in two years. The Muskies begin their new campaign at home against Waynesburg on Saturday, September 4, at 4:00 p.m. at Zanesville High School.
The Coach: The Muskies are led by fourth-year head coach Erik Ieuter. Upon arriving in New Concord, Ieuter immediately made a positive impact on the program. Under his direction, the Muskies totaled four wins in his first season at the helm, just the third time the program had reached the total since 2003. The season included a highlight victory on Homecoming over Otterbein, the program's first win against the Cardinals in 14 years. The Muskies also defeated Heidelberg in Ieuter's first campaign, the program's first win over the Student Princes in eight seasons. Last year, the Muskies continued to show growth in their shortened three-game season. In a win over Otterbein, the Muskies amassed six interceptions and scored the most points in a game against OAC powerhouse Mount Union in 21 seasons. Since Ieuter took over the program, Muskingum has not lost against Waynesburg. The program hasn't suffered a defeat against the Yellow Jackets since 2015.
The Captains: Muskingum will be led by senior quarterback Jordan Garrett, senior defensive back Brian Brown, senior defensive back Cortez McGinnis, and senior offensive lineman Iggy Horvath. Garrett, an All-Ohio Athletic Conference honoree, has appeared in 19 games in his Muskie career, tossing for 1,337 yards and 11 touchdowns. He's also rushed for 304 yards and one score.
Brown, a two-time All-OAC honoree, was a guiding force on the defensive side of the ball for the Muskies last season. Brown led the Muskies with a team-high three interceptions in the spring and finished second in tackles with 28. All three of Brown's interceptions came against OAC foe Otterbein, which tied him for second-most in one game in program history. He is also tied for eighth all-time in career interceptions with 13.
McGinnis, an All-OAC honoree, has appeared in 23 games for Muskingum. He's registered 85 stops and 10 pass breakups. McGinnis has also logged two interceptions in his career.
Horvath has appeared in 22 games over his career and has been a guiding force for the Muskie offense with his play in the trenches.
The Players – Offense: Players to watch this year on the offensive side of the ball include junior wide receiver Ja'Lin Goodman, junior wide receiver Zuri Edmondson, junior running back Donny Wilkinson, and senior left tackle TJ Boyd. Goodman has appeared in nine games over his Muskie career, totaling 294 receiving yards on 22 receptions. He has also rushed for 57 yards. Edmonson has appeared in 10 games over his Muskie career, Wilkinson has played in 12 games, and Boyd has appeared in 29 games for Muskingum.
Waynesburg will be led by junior quarterback Tyler Raines, senior wide receiver Trenton Kerns, senior wide receiver Matt Craig, and sophomore tight end Andrew Elerick.
The Players – Defense: Players looking to make an impact defensively for the Muskies include junior linebacker Tristan Howell, junior defensive end Jamar Hicks, and sophomore safety Devin Roebuck. Howell has appeared in 13 games in his Muskie career, tallying 20 tackles, 19 assists, two interceptions, and one sack. Hicks has appeared in six games over his Muskie career, while Roebuck has played in two games.
Leading Waynesburg defensively will be senior linebacker Bret Hicks, senior safety Connor Hudson, senior safety Luke Menges, and junior linebacker Tom Hanik.
The Players – Special Teams: Special teams will be full of new faces that will see sophomore Hunter Albers take on the kicking duties, and sophomore Collin Scozzafava will punt.
Broadcasts: All home games will feature an HD video stream accessible through the OAC TV app and on fightingmuskies.com with a special 15-minute Wally's Pizza pregame show. For fans looking to attend home games, tickets will be available at the gate - $5 adults, $2 kids 5-18, kids under 5 enter free.
Venue logistics: No charge for parking. Concessions open on the home side only. Tailgating permitted. Possession and/or consumption of alcohol on school grounds is prohibited.
