EASTON- It was your typical hot summer morning on the campus of Stonehill College on Saturday morning. We visited with the Skyhawks ahead of the 2024 season.

Practice was uptempo and competitive, something Eli Gardner and his staff strive for each and every day. Coming off of a season in which the Skyhawks finished 5-5 and 4-3 in the NEC, expectations are high for the program as the Skyhawks enter their third season as a Division One program.

Several key starters must be replaced on both sides of the ball, most notably offensive lineman David Satkowski, running back Jermaine Corbett wide receivers Chris Domercant, Cameron Alves and linebacker Sam Murphy. Stonehill head coach Eli Gardner told me that he likes the team he has coming back and most of the starters were in place at the end of spring practice.

Having junior quarterback Ashur Carraha back as the starting quarterback for a third season is a big plus. He will lead an offense with a lot of new faces at the skill positions. The Skyhawks do have experience along the offensive line which should help the coaching develop the skill.

The defense is talented on the back end but they will need young players to emerge and develop along the front seven.

Here are five observations from practice.

1, Carraha leads the way: As I mentioned, Carraha will be the leader of the Stonehill offense and the program. He is the face of the franchise if you will and he will be counted on to run the offense and help the young skill group develop. Carraha is ready to accept the challenge of paving the way for his teammates.

“It is definitely different. We lost a lot of leadership. This being my third year, I am ready for that role and it’s been great. I feel like I’m taking a greater role, more command. Like all of the captains are.”

Carraha is going to be one of the signal callers returning in the NEC.

2. Tinkham and Meslin return upfront: Stonehill returns junior right tackle Nick Tinkham and graduate guard Eric Meslin along the offensive line. Replacing Satkowski will not be easy. He was a stalwart but junior Kai Rose, graduate Cam Macro, sophomore Connor Ivey, freshmen Sowatei-Jelani Lomotey, senior Will Conway, junior Colton Burkhart and sophomore Lotanna Onyekaba are among a group of lineman who could either start or play at some point.

3. Skill position shuffle: As mentioned, the skill group has some new faces that will be playing this season. At running back, the Skyhawks will be leaning on Zavion Woodward and Jerel Washington who will both be counted on to fill Corbett’s shoes. Stonehill will have several new faces at wide receiver with only senior Jake Newsham as the returner from last season who played a role. Despite that, the staff likes several of the young receivers on the roster. Junior Aidan Henry and tight end Cody Ruff are two big targets to keep an eye. Ruff is primed for a big season.

4. Front seven undersized but aggressive: The front seven will once again be on the smaller side but as a group they pursuit well and play downhill. Defensive coordinator Kyle Jones will play multiple fronts and pressure in key situations but for the most, part he lets his guys play. The defense played well in key spots last season and expect them to once again be consistent this season.

5. Secondary leads the way: Led by NEC preseason all conference selection Jordan Irvine of Beverly, the Skyhawks secondary is the most experienced group returning defensively. This unit should allow Jones the luxury of being aggressive in key spots and bringing pressure. The Skyhawks will have to attack more this season but they have the back seven necessary to play a more aggressive scheme.