As the Canton-Galva Eagles prepare for another season, Jaxon Chrislip is eager to see the work he and his teammates put in during the offseason translate to success on the field.
“The first thing that comes to mind is that I have the opportunity to play football,” Chrislip said. “I’m extremely lucky to have the opportunity and I will be making the most of it.”
Canton-Galva spent the summer preparing for the upcoming season with a demanding schedule that included early-morning workouts in the weight room and evening sessions on the field. Chrislip said the commitment from his teammates has given him confidence in what the Eagles can accomplish.
“Everyone showed up ready to work and ready to get better,” he said.
The Eagles also traveled to Fairfield late in the summer for an Epic Contact Camp, giving the team an opportunity to put its preparation to the test.
“When the camp was all set and done, happy would be an understatement,” Chrislip said. “We went out there and worked hard and did our jobs, which was exciting to see.”
For Chrislip, one of the biggest goals for Canton-Galva this season is developing the toughness necessary to overcome adversity.
“Last year when things got tough we struggled to dig deep and find that fight within us,” he said. “So that backtracks to the work we put in this summer. We pushed ourselves past our limits not only to get better but prove to ourselves that even when times are tough we have a lot more fight left in us.”
The Eagles have been close to making a playoff run in recent seasons, and Chrislip said the team is determined to take the next step.
“We want it bad this year,” he said. “We want to put our names on the map again and show everybody Canton-Galva is still here and we are coming to fight.”
Chrislip also has several personal goals for his final season. At the top of the list is becoming a stronger leader for his teammates.
“My number one goal is to be a better leader for my team,” Chrislip said. “I want my team to walk into these games knowing I got their backs.”
He also hopes to leave a lasting impression on the Canton-Galva program and serve as an example for younger players.
“I want to show them that you don’t have to be the biggest or strongest or fastest guy on the field to be successful,” he said. “I want to show them that even though you may not notice it in the moment, all the hard work you put in will pay off.”
Chrislip enters the season with experience at quarterback after starting under center last year. He finished the season with approximately 600 passing yards, 250 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns.
Now, with one season remaining, Chrislip wants to make the most of every opportunity — both for himself and for the Eagles.
“I’m excited to see not only myself but my friends and teammates succeed at the sport we all love,” Chrislip said. “When we have big plays or big games, seeing that happiness on my team’s faces and coaches’ faces just makes me happy and excited to keep doing what I’m doing.”
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