TJ Chapman
Lead Columnist, Editor
Heading into year two in offensive coordinator Drew Cronic’s “Millennial” Wing-T, the Navy Midshipmen are looking to build on 2024’s 10-3 season. Navy is riding the wave of momentum, having won its final three games, including an upset of rival Army in the 125th Army-Navy game.
When you think of the Navy offense, the first thing that comes to mind is the Triple Option. However, Cronic’s version of the Wing-T is a more open and versatile offense that utilizes runs and a passing attack more frequently than most Navy offenses in the school’s history.
Two major pieces of that Millennial Wing-T are running back Alex Tecza and slot back Eli Heidenreich. The pair is tied together not only as seniors on the Navy football team, but also because they went to Mt. Lebanon High School together in Pittsburgh, PA.
Both Tecza and Heidenreich have been linked on the gridiron since they started playing football together in the 8th grade. And now they can add that both players are on the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list. According to the National College Football Awards Association, the award is “presented to the premier running back by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.”
Heidenreich’s love for his hometown was shown in his response to a question of which stadium he would love to play the Army-Navy game in.
“I think going back home,” Heidenreich said during a media session on August 6. “Playing at Heinz Field would be pretty… I know it’s not Heinz Field anymore, but playing them in the Steelers’ stadium would be pretty awesome. Just kind of for that home feeling, that would be pretty neat.”
The 6-foot, 206-pound Snipe was Navy’s leading receiver in 2024, hauling in 39 catches for 671 yards and tying a school record of 6 receiving TDs. Heidenreich was also third on the team in rushing with 444 yards and tied for third with 3 rushing TDs.
Heidenreich’s best moment of the 2024 season came against Army. With the Midshipmen holding onto a 14-10 lead late in the 3rd quarter, Heidenreich took QB Blake Horvath’s pass and raced 52 yards for a TD.
Either Tecza or Heidenreich has scored a touchdown in 18 of Navy’s previous 23 games. The Pittsburgh Connection both found paydirt in the same game on 5 occasions.
Tecza was the second leading rusher for Navy with 576 yards and 8 TDs. Tecza trailed Horvath in both categories. He also contributed in the passing game, catching 12 passes for 229 yards and 2 TDs.
Tecza’s best game in 2024 came in a blowout win against Charlotte. Tecza rushed 8 times for 68 yards and 2 TDs and chipped in 1 catch for 46 yards and a receiving TD.
The 6-foot, 199-pound running back was excited when he found out that both he and Heidenreich were on the Doak Walker watch list.
“Again, that’s just part of me and his story,” Tecza said when asked about joining Heidenreich on the watch list. “Got a lot of love from back home, right? We’re still, you know, pretty supported back there. I grew up with him, you know, and I’ve known him since first grade. Whether we were rivals on the youth football field or best friends through high school.”
It’s obvious that head coach Brian Newberry and Horvath feel the Pittsburgh Connection is vital to Navy’s success in 2025.
“Expectations are high for those guys,” Newberry said during Navy’s Media Day on August 2. “Those guys have been great playmakers for us, and they’re going to have to be this year as well.
When answering the same question, Horvath added:
“I think Alex and Eli are two of the most elite playmakers on our team. And just getting them the ball in positions where they can be successful is the most important thing.”
2025 will be the final season as members of the Navy football team for the pair from Southwestern Pennsylvania. The gridiron legacy they leave at Navy will be one of leadership, toughness and success.
Navy’s first goal for 2025 is to win the American Conference championship. The Midshipmen begin the season at home against VMI on August 30. While the Keydets will be first up, the final regular-season game for the Pittsburgh Connection will be in Baltimore, MD. A fitting place for Navy to face the rival Army Black Knights, in the home of the Steelers’ biggest rival.
