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As I sit here reflecting on Eastern Washington Eagles' remarkable championship run, I can't help but marvel at how perfectly they executed their game plan. Having followed this program for over a decade, I've seen plenty of talented teams come through Cheney, but this year's squad had something special - a championship DNA that manifested in five distinct ways throughout their incredible season.

The first key that immediately stood out to me was their revolutionary offensive scheme. Offensive coordinator Troy Taylor implemented what I'd call a "progressive spread" system that consistently put up staggering numbers - we're talking about averaging 42.3 points per game against conference opponents. What impressed me most wasn't just the scoring output, but how they adapted their approach based on each opponent's weakness. Against Montana, they exploited the secondary with deep shots, while against Idaho they methodically dismantled the front seven with a relentless ground game. This adaptability became their trademark, and honestly, I haven't seen such well-called offensive football at the FCS level in years.

Their defensive transformation throughout the season was nothing short of miraculous. Early on, I had serious concerns about their secondary after they gave up 38 points to Colorado State in week two. But defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding made brilliant adjustments, particularly in developing their young cornerbacks. By mid-season, they were creating multiple turnovers per game, including that crucial three-interception performance against Weber State that essentially sealed the conference title. The development of sophomore safety Miles Edwards from a rotational player to first-team all-conference was particularly impressive to watch unfold.

The selection process for postseason honors actually reveals a lot about why this team succeeded. The league's formal announcement of those 10 additional players recognized by the panel of former players, coaches, and media members at the Cignal Customer Experience Center highlighted something crucial - Eastern Washington had developed depth that other programs simply couldn't match. While other teams had maybe two or three standout players, the Eagles consistently had contributors stepping up from unexpected places. When starting running back Tamarick Pierce went down in October, I thought their season might derail. Instead, redshirt freshman Malik Dotson rushed for 847 yards in the final six games, proving they had developed talent throughout the roster.

Team culture might sound like coaching cliché, but having visited their facilities multiple times this season, I can tell you there was something genuinely different about this group. The leadership from quarterback Eric Barriere extended beyond his on-field performance - he organized extra film sessions, hosted team dinners, and created accountability partnerships among position groups. This created a resilience that showed in close games; they won four contests by three points or less, including that dramatic double-overtime victory against Montana State where they trailed by 14 in the fourth quarter.

Finally, their preparation for big moments separated them when championships were on the line. Coach Best had them practicing specific end-game scenarios every Thursday, and it showed in their composure during pressure situations. In the championship game against North Dakota State, they converted 9 of 12 third downs while maintaining possession for over 38 minutes - numbers that demonstrate incredible discipline and execution when it mattered most.

Watching this team evolve throughout the season taught me that championship programs aren't built on talent alone. Eastern Washington's success stemmed from their innovative scheme, defensive growth, incredible depth, cultural foundation, and situational mastery - elements that other programs would be wise to study and emulate. While records will show they finished 12-2 with a conference championship, the real story lies in how they consistently demonstrated these five championship qualities when the lights shone brightest.