Sitting at 7-2 (4-1 in conference) the Eagles can move back into first with a win on Saturday and will rely on the senior leadership that has got them there.

Senior inside linebacker Tomarcio Reese has been the captain on the defensive side all season long.

Like most collegiate football players, Reese played football at a young age, but the senior mentioned he had a brief stint in wrestling, but did not like it. The linebacker talked about the role football has played in his life.

“Playing football, was the third grade,” Reese said. “I’ve just been playing since then.”

Reese recorded an interception in the season-opening game against South Carolina State and has been a stronghold on a defense that struggled mightily in 2017. The senior opened up about the success his unit has been able to have and how the turnaround came about so fast.

“Our chemistry is better,” Reese said. “Our coaches have a better scheme for us to let us fly around and have fun and just, we all believe in one another.”

Reese, like many athletes, has his own way of getting mentally focused for the upcoming game, and the linebacker keeps it simple and talks about what he does.

“Just say my prayers and listen to music.”

Although the team lost to ULM in disappointing fashion, the Eagles still control their own destiny and beat rival Appalachian State, a feat Reese had never experienced. Reese talked about the magnitude of the victory against arch rival from North Carolina. .

“Oh big one,” Reese said. “You know, just letting everyone know that we’re still here and we mean business, and we just want to redeem ourselves from last year, really.”

When he’s not on the gridiron, Reese talked about his love for the outdoors.

“Play the game, go fishing and ride horses,” Reese said, noting that he got the love for riding horses from an uncle who resides in Mississippi.

Saturday’s contest will be Senior Day for Reese and the rest of the seniors, but a victory against Troy, as well as wins against Coastal Carolina and Georgia State to close the season, perhaps the biggest game in Paulson Stadium will occur in the form of the inaugural Sun Belt Championship.

For now though, Reese and GS set their sights on redemption and taking down Troy. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Ryan Kostensky, The George-Anne Sports Reporter, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu