By Bob Suttton
Special to The Alamance News
Zack Merchel experienced the downside of Eastern Alamance’s first losing season in two decades perhaps unlike any other player on the team.
Rather than discouraging him, it turned into a source of motivation.
“I try to keep a positive attitude. It helps everything in life,” Merchel said. “I definitely want to have a better season than we had last year. Kind of like a comeback season. Have a good season. As a whole team, not just me.”
Merchel, a senior quarterback, could use a bounce-back campaign like no other. He was benched midway through the 2024 season, a jarring unfolding.
He said he’s determined to win the starting role again and make things right on the field.
“I’ve put in a lot of work,” he said. “Trying to have a good season. I think the coaches have helped a lot, and players. Everyone has helped give me confidence.”
Merchel has excelled in the past. He had been groomed to be Eastern’s quarterback, waiting his turn until Jason Ball graduated ahead of him.
He had become one of the area’s top baseball pitchers, so he’s used to being in the spotlight.
Then five games into the 2024 football season after a shutout loss at Western Alamance, he was no longer the starting QB. The Eagles were 0-5.
“It was kind of a first experience, which made it tougher,” he said. “A mental battle, played some tough teams, didn’t start off hot.
“It was a change (no longer on first string), not a good change. I think I responded well, and I think I’m ready for this season. I think it will help this season a lot more. We’re going to respond better this year.”
Then-sophomore Braxton Ballard became the starter for the final half of the season, putting together similar statistics. Merchel took snaps again in a reserve role in a state-playoff loss at Pikeville Aycock.
Merchel finished the season with a 43.6 completion percentage and rushed for one touchdown. He threw for two touchdowns and six interceptions.
“It just didn’t go my way,” Merchel said. “It was tough, but should bounce back and have a good year this year. I don’t think anyone on the team was happy with their performance. Really bad start last year. Played some tough teams, which didn’t help. Lack of confidence for the whole team affected everyone.”
It’s easy for Merchel to look ahead at the possibilities.
Eastern’s quarterback mix includes Merchel, Ballard, and junior Andrick Pulliam, the 2024 junior varsity quarterback.
“They’ve all got an upside,” interim coach John Kirby said. “They’ve all got a downside.”
Merchel said the competition should push the quarterbacks to higher levels.
“We have a really good QB room. All three QBs are great QBs,” he said. “I think we all could be really good starters. That makes it tougher, but it makes us better because it makes it more of a battle.”
Perhaps Merchel is accustomed to a good battle. He spent part of the summer on the travel baseball circuit. He said he has more confidence on the mound and that could transfer to the football field.
He also feels more prepared this August.
“I learned a lot more about football this year, which helped a lot,” he said. “Like knowing more coverages and stuff like that, and that helped a lot with confidence.”
Merchel said offensive schemes will be similar this year, but he senses there’s more energy on the unit. He also praises development along the offensive line.
“They have improved a lot,” he said. “They have looked so much better this year.”
Support in the backfield should come from running backs Samuel Raphael, Dereon Garner, and Jamez Cochran. The Eagles have produced a steady stream of ball carriers capable of putting up impressive numbers.
“We’ve always been blessed with good running backs,” Merchel said. “It helps a lot, especially the quarterback. It’s nice having that to fall on.”
At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Merchel “looks the part,” Kirby said.
Others around the quarterback have seen an evolution during the past 12 months.
“He has bought into the process,” senior receiver Tyler Westbrooks said, noting the challenging times from last season. “I think it made him work harder. To get sat, I feel like that hurt. He proceeded to work harder for it.”
Senior receiver Douglas Kittrells, Jr. said there can be a happy ending to Merchel’s football story.
“I like how he moves,” Kittrells said. “He just has little things he’s working on. They all do. It’s OK.
“Sometimes you have to work harder and learn from your mistakes. He’s going to be better at the end.”
Through all this, the thing that sticks with Merchel is that he likes playing quarterback. That’s why he wants that chance again on Friday nights.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s a mental battle, that’s for sure. Probably one of the hardest spots in any sport mentally, but it’s a lot of fun. You chose it, so you got to deal with it.”
