Pigskin Preview: Ashley aims to keep building off of historic 2024 campaign

August 3, 2025

Colton Emswiler,

Ashley Football1 — (Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — The turnaround that Ashley football has had can not be understated.

The Eagles went 9-3 last season. Compare that to just ten total wins in the previous five years combined. That includes seven in 2023 alone.

(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)

Head Dante Lombardi has completely changed the outlook of the program in just three years at the helm and they now look to sustain that winning culture for years to come.

“The standard’s the standard,” Lombardi said. “Doing the little things right on the field, off the field. Continuing to do that and then bonding as a team. We got to believe in each other and play for each other, play for the coaches. Then obviously the talent. Continue to get better each day. Still not going to have the biggest and strongest kids compared to some other schools in our conference. But if we have that grit and that mindset that we had these last couple years, we’ll be OK.”

(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)

There will be 21 seniors on the roster, just one shy of a complete starting lineup.

They have all seen the worst and best that Ashley has to offer and are now in a better spot than when their careers started.

“I feel like we’ve come closer as a team,” senior running back Bryson Lovelace said. “Really building that brotherhood and that bond that you need to succeed. Just really trying to keep it going. It’s family out here, so trying to keep it that way.”

(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)

However, the Eagles aren’t looking back at last year. They want continue their climb and become the best football program around.

“Since it’s a new season, we also have to have a new mindset,” senior linebacker Adrian Gaines said. “Also, we have new players. Trying to fit people into different pieces, but also try to have the same mentality that we did last season. No matter who we play, just go out and play Ashley football.”