JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 13, 2023) – The ETSU football team will close out the 2023 regular season on Saturday when it welcomes The Citadel to Johnson City. Head Coach George Quarles, offensive lineman Chris Everhart and linebacker Stephen Scott met with media members on Monday to discuss the season finale against the Bulldogs.
 
Below are the comments from Coach Quarles, Everhart and Scott.

 
HEAD COACH GEORGE QUARLES
 
How good would it feel to close this season out with a win?
No question it would be great. There are several reasons why but we have talked about this the last few weeks and that's doing it for our seniors. Guys like Stephen Scott, Max Evans, Jawan Martin, Will Huzzie to name a few. Those guys have meant to a lot to ETSU because they've stayed and seen this thing through. To send them along with all of our seniors out with a victory would be a great way for the season to end.  
 
Has there been anything that has been stressed in these last few weeks?
I think the main thing has been to finish. You have to finish what you start. Finish it with great energy and effort even when things aren't going your way. You still have to show up each day and do your job. Sometimes in life, things are not going to go your way you want them to. We have to keep battling and I believe our guys have done that.
 
Both teams are coming into this one looking to cap their season with a win, what are your thoughts on The Citadel
Like you said, both teams want to end their season with a win. They have a new staff and they've tried to change how they operate offensively. They used to run an old school triple option attack but now they do a little bit of everything. Both teams I'm sure are looking forward to this chance to end the season with a win.
 
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN CHRIS EVERHART
It's been a tough season but how good would it be to close the season out with a win?
That'd be awesome. This program needs a win and it'd be a great way to send our seniors out.
 
Can getting a win on Saturday act as sort of a springboard into the off season and into 2024?
Most definitely. I think getting the win in the last game would give us that little extra motivation in the off season heading to workouts and spring practice. It'd be a huge lift to our team I think.
 
LINEBACKER STEPHEN SCOTT
It's been a tough season but how good would it be to close the season out with a win?
It'd be really important to get this win. Especially for the younger guys on our team to finish off a season strong even though it hasn't gone our way. It'd be a huge win if we can get it done.
 
You've been a part of some great moments (like the win at Vanderbilt) with this program, how different has this season been compared to that?  
Obviously, it's been tough. You don't really dwell on the bad things though. I try and remember the good times and appreciate those. It is different and it doesn't feel good at times but you appreciate and thank god for the opportunities that you get.  
 
For more information on Buccaneer football, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the football tab.