LASKER – Set the tone for a successful campaign.

Third-year Northeast Academy Head Football Coach Collin Sneed wants his team to do just that tomorrow (Friday).

“I think Friday night is really important to us,” he said. “It will set the tone for the rest of the year, especially with us replacing so many starters. With seven new starters on offense, we need the confidence booster we would get from a win.”

The Eagles have been sharp thus far, but Sneed said that had been because of the senior leadership on the defensive side of the football.

“I feel pretty confident in my seniors,” the coach said. “I still think we have a lot of work to do, but the time is here, so we need to improve during the season.

“I’m most pleased with the defense and the way they are coming around,” he continued. “The defense in senior-based and they have a pretty good idea of what we’re running and what we need to do.”

Sneed said he did not have information about Cresset, other than a roster which gave him names, as he hadn’t seen film or a scrimmage.

“We’re basically going to work on anything they may show us from the option down to the hook and ladder,” he laughed.

Not knowing what Cresset would bring, leaves the Eagles needing to work harder, according to the coach.

“I think we have to play well everywhere since we don’t know anything about them,” he said. “I’m not taking anything for granted. We need to play well on offense, defense and special teams.”

The main concern for Sneed will be the youth on his offensive unit including sophomore quarterback Davis Harrell.

“We’re only going to have one returning starter on the offensive side of the ball,” he said. “We have a young quarterback and he’s going to have to develop quickly. We’re going to have to work hard to get him trained.”

The Eagles will get a good barometer of how the new offense will gel at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow when they host Cresset Christian.