North Carolina Central Head Coach Trei Oliver has plenty to be pleased about as his Eagles football team heads into their first bye week of the season riding a three-game winning streak — one in which they’ve averaged a staggering 54 points per game.
The latest win came in a hard-fought road contest against East Texas A&M, where the Eagles surged to a commanding lead before surviving a late comeback attempt to secure the victory 50-42.
“It was a tough trip down to Dallas, just logistically,” Oliver said during Monday’s media availability. “But I thought the guys were locked in. We preached all week about starting fast and keeping the crowd out of it.”
The Eagles did just that, scoring on their first four possessions and controlling the “middle eight” — the four minutes before and after halftime — to carry a 26-point lead into the fourth quarter. But with injuries piling up and several starters resting late, Central’s depth was tested.
“We didn’t finish the game,” Oliver admitted. “I think we kind of took our foot off the gas a little bit. Guys started watching the scoreboard.”
After reinserting starters to stave off East Texas A&M’s rally, the Eagles held on. Along the way, several young players earned valuable experience. Freshman Ayden Davis and defensive lineman Donquarius Parker were among the standouts.
Special teams also played a crucial role, with punter Brandon Bowman averaging 47.8 yards per punt and kicker Kaleb Robison converting two field goals with four touchbacks on kickoffs.
Now at 4-2 on the season, Central enters its bye week with a key goal: healing.
“We’ve got to figure out a way to get this team healthy,” Oliver said. “We’ll practice Tuesday through Thursday, give the guys Friday and Saturday off, and spend time in the training room.”
Injuries have accumulated over the past few weeks, and Oliver emphasized the importance of players taking care of their bodies like professionals — from physical therapy and chiropractic care to yoga and rehab.
The bye also presents a window to further develop younger players who’ve been getting reps throughout the season.
“We’ve been spoon-feeding them reps for this very reason,” Oliver said. “Saturday showed why that’s so important.”
Averaging 54 points during their current streak, the Eagles’ offense appears to be firing on all cylinders. Quarterback Walker Harris had ample time in the pocket thanks to improved offensive line play, while receivers like Chauncey Spikes (113 yards on six receptions, TD) and Mekhi Wall turned in big performances.
“We’ve been playing complementary football,” Oliver said. “Walker’s not forcing throws. The ball finds energy — everybody eats when you play that way.”
Oliver credited improved chemistry and execution across all positions, adding that offensive efficiency — not raw stats — remains the staff’s priority.
After the bye, Central will travel to Tallahassee to face Florida A&M on Oct. 11 at Bragg Memorial Stadium. The Rattlers, despite a sub-.500 record, pose a significant challenge, according to Oliver.
“They’re very athletic and physical up front,” he said. “Their record doesn’t reflect how good they are. We’ve got to come up with a plan starting today to have a chance to beat them.”
