The Bison football team (4-3) have had a great turnaround this season. After three debilitating losses, the team came back with a vengeance recently, winning four games in a row.

The first two losses to Orange and Gilmour were devastating nail biters in which the team lost in the final minutes.

“It was tough to lose those first two games,” linebacker Josh Bialosky said. “We lost by a combined score of 7 points. We had the lead and couldn’t hold on, but it changed our mindsets for the rest of the season.”

“We can’t just give up once we take the lead,” he said. “We have to go for the “jugular” as coach would say. This means we keeping playing hard no matter what the score is.”

Quarterback Max Balazs agreed.

“(The losses) sucked, but some of the teams we were better than, so we just had to play more consistently for the next games,” he said.

“It didn’t sit too well because they were games we should have won, and it motivated us to come out and win the next couple games,” senior Jordan Williams said.

“We had all of the momentum Friday night,” said sophomore Alex Cala, who attended the Orange game. “If the last 5 minutes of the game were not delayed, we probably would’ve won.”

“It was heartbreaking to see our team almost win and then lose it in the last few minutes of the game. It was devastating,” said sophomore Maya Granot, who also attended the Orange game.

Head Coach Mike Gibbons feels that the team really stuck together through the losses.

“We have to take everything one week at a time,” he said. “We can’t look in the past or the future… just go for this next game.”

“You just have to keep your head up and keep working,” Balazs told his teammates.

Bialosky agreed.

“I told my teammates to not give up…. that everything will turn around… and it has,” he said.

The team started focusing more in practice.

“Our practices were a lot better and crisper,” Balazs said. “People were just working harder and it transferred onto the field. Our demeanor, effort and attitude changed.”

Many players have contributed to the turnaround effort.

“The whole offensive line: Jordan Williams, Cameron Mack offensively. Our whole defense has really stepped up and Eris is back,” Balazs said.

“Tyler Nash has been a huge factor this year,” Bialosky said. “He helped the team out by changing his position from quarterback to our starting right tackle.”

“Tyler has also been amazing at defensive end,” Bialosky continued. “He sets the line of scrimmage and put pressure on the quarterback almost every play.”

Williams also identified Tyler Hines, Greg Johnson and Nate Hamilton as critical players in the team’s turnaround.

The Bison have set lofty goals for this season.

“We want a playoff spot and conference championship, and ultimately we want to compete for the state championship,” Gibbons said.

Balazs and Bialosky agreed.

“Win the CVC, make the playoffs again, and win a playoff game for the first time in Beachwood history,” Balazs said.

“My goals are to have no regrets,” Williams said. “I hope to finish the season with more of everything: yards, catches, tackles, and interceptions, because this is my last time playing organized football unless I play college football. I really want to finish on a great note and hopefully win the CVC.”

Gibbons said the Bison have a very tough schedule in the upcoming games.

“We won the last four games because we really motivated each other and that’s what’s going to keep us winning in the next upcoming games,” Williams said.

“We have to continue to get better every week, Gibbons said. The back stretch of our season is very difficult” “Don’t waste opportunities, never take a step back, and just move forward.”

On Oct. 10, the Bison beat Richmond Hts. 46-27.

“It was awesome to be there and see the Bison break away in the fourth quarter scoring 22 points,” said junior Vonya Shiffman, who attended the game.

Sophomore Sophia Zhabotinsky agreed.

“Seeing the team really fight to take the lead and get their fourth win was awesome.”

Team members are strongly motivated to keep up the winning streak.

“We have to keep everyone healthy and keep momentum up in practice … because we are a good team, but we have to work hard to win games,” Balazs said.

“We have to continue to be a family… and play as hard as we can,” Gibbons added.

The Bison face Cuyahoga Heights for the Homecoming game tomorrow at 1:00.