HARROD, Ohio (WLIO) – The Allen East football team wrapped up another four-win campaign in 2024, finishing tied for fifth in the Northwest Conference. While it was a down year for the Mustangs, sixth-year head coach Joel Billings says the season served as a foundation for the program's future.

"I think we got a lot of young guys experienced," Billings said. "We still are young at the line spots. We're going to bring back some solid experience and guys that were already out and playing there at skill spots. So valuable experience, and we're just looking at showing up, getting a little better every day and battling to really reach our potential."

This year's Mustangs feature a different look, with only four seniors and six returning starters on each side of the ball. Billings says the roster's strength is in its leadership, not its size.

"They're kids that have been around the program, and obviously we want to look at them to lead," Billings said. "But honestly, that's one challenge we've had for our sophomores and juniors that have already been playing — it's time to fill a void. They're really dedicated kids. They're really kind of ahead of where we expect athletically in strength and development, and we're leaning on them."

Junior Keagan Jones will start at quarterback this season, with senior Deacon Jones as his primary target. The pair are expected to play major roles in the Mustangs' offense.

"I'd say one thing I need to improve on to help our team is get a better run game," Keagan said. "I have to be a threat both ways because that's going to open up a lot more offense for our team and a lot more touchdowns."

"It's just going to take showing up at practice every single day with a lot of focus and determination to be able to win," Deacon said. "You got to have the focus and you got to know what you're doing."

Allen East opens the 2025 season against Newark Catholic, Fort Recovery and Indian Lake before entering NWC play. Keagan says success starts with a winning mentality.

"You got to grind. You got to face adversity. You got to show up every day and work hard and want to win," he said. "You got to start by knocking off the other teams — win those non-conference games, then climb with those conference games and get to those big dogs."

Last season marked the Mustangs' first playoff absence since 2018 — a sting the team is determined to erase.

"It's definitely something that stays with you," Deacon said. "Not making the playoffs definitely sucked. And I think as a senior this year, I want to be able to take this team to that point."

With only eight wins over the past two seasons, Allen East is determined to reclaim its winning tradition.

"I think just that day-to-day building, that's really what we're chasing right now," Billings said. "We're focused on that daily improvement. This group is pretty hungry, and we're trying to make those strides every day. The big thing we're preaching is be together — not everything is going to be smooth sailing in any football season, and we got to get it done together."

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