August 21st, 2024 8:00am
SAC Season Preview 2024
‘Tis the most wonderful time of the year ladies and gentlemen: college football is back. And more importantly to some of us, D2 football. Across this great nation of ours, coolers are being drug out from garages and dusted off before being filled with drinks and ice for the next four months. You can begin to smell the grills and barbecue smokers light up and the meat marinating in your fridge on Friday night. If you’re a wing guy like me, tailgating season is your Olympics.
It was quite the offseason in the South Atlantic Conference. Not only was there a ton of talent that left the conference via the transfer portal and the NFL, but 8 of the league’s 12 football members have new head coaches (I’ve included Bobby Lamb from Anderson in that number). For a long time, there were only 8 members in the whole conference! The way things are now also makes it a ton of work to even check who is still at the schools they played at last year.
Another big story coming out of Rock Hill is the conference has partnered with SkyCoach to provide replay for the football and basketball seasons. The SAC also approved the use of up to six tablets on the sidelines for coaches to use. What this means in 2024 in more detail can be found here on the league’s official release: South Atlantic Conference to Utilize Instant Replay for Football and Basketball in 2024-25 - South Atlantic Conference (thesac.com).
Before we begin our team-by-team preview (in reverse order of the conference preseason coaches’ poll), a reminder to returning readers and a heads up to the new (welcome!) of my three rules of the column:
Let’s get rolling with the new kids on the football block.
Head Coach: Bobby Lamb (1st season at Anderson)
2023 Record: n/a
2023 Offense: Didn’t gain a single yard all season.
2023 Defense: Didn’t give up a single yard all season!
Schedule
Sep. 7 St. Andrews (NAIA)
Sep. 14 LaGrange (D3)
Sep. 21 Limestone
Sep. 28 at Barton
Oct. 5 Catawba
Oct. 12 at UVA Wise
Oct. 19 Emory & Henry
Oct. 26 at Tusculum
Nov. 2 at Carson-Newman
Nov. 9 Mars Hill
Nov. 16 at Lenoir-Rhyne
Anderson has been a full SAC member since 2010-11 but decided to start football just a few years ago. They had tremendous turnout for their first spring game, and Trojans nation is more than excited for September 7th’s program opener. Even if you are not a fan or associated with the program, I’d suggest trying to make it to that game. You only get to see a program’s 1st ever game once.
New SAC head coach #1 isn’t exactly a new head coach, as Bobby Lamb spent the past few years preparing Anderson to begin their debut season in 2024. Prior to being the man in charge of the Trojans, Coach Lamb spent seven years as the head coach of Mercer and nine years as the head coach at Furman. Mercer was a new program when Lamb took over, so he has experience building a program from scratch that has most definitely served him well. He has over 100 career head coaching victories.
Biggest Question Mark
Not a lot is truly known about this Trojans team, but hopefully that changes in a few weeks. They did not have any players selected in the preseason All-Mountain division team. An initial look at the posted roster looks made up of a lot of freshmen and several transfers (including two D1 quarterback), So truly, it’s hard to really know what to expect. But one thing you can expect is for them to be tough and ready to fight out the gate like most of the other programs at the university.
Head Coach: Gary Bass (1st year at UVA Wise)
2023: 2-9, 1-7 in the SAC
2023 Offense: 10th in total YPG (283.2), 11th in scoring offense (17.1 PPG)
2023 Defense: 7th in total YPG (337.6), 11th in scoring defense (35.1 PPG)
Schedule
Sep. 7 at East Tennessee State (FCS)
Sep. 14 at Concord
Sep. 21 Catawba
Sep. 28 at Newberry
Oct. 5 Wingate
Oct. 12 Anderson
Oct. 19 at Carson-Newman
Oct. 26 Mars Hill
Nov. 2 Tusculum
Nov. 9 at Emory & Henry
Nov. 16 at Barton
Gary Bass is the new SAC head coach #2 on this list, taking over the UVA Wise program looking to right the ship after back-to-back 2-9 seasons. The Catawba alum spent the previous seven years at Quincy of the GLVC and has 14 years of experience at the D2 level. Last season the Hawks had just their 5th winning season in 30 years.
The Highland Cavaliers did not have any players named to the preseason all-mountain division team. Lead rusher Jaevon Gillespie is gone, and was a bit underrated the past two years on some rough UVA Wise teams, but Zavier Lomax (86 carries for 363 yards and 4 TD’s) returns. West Alabama transfer Jake Corkren led the team in passing last season and is returning. The top two receivers (DJ Powell and Dorien Goddard) are also listed on the roster, assuming they are back as well. The defense has room to grow but returns three of their top five tacklers from last season (Aydan Willis, DaCorian Jones-Montgomery and Brub Hines III at the linebacker spot). Those three will be the anchors as they look to improve on an odd defensive year: 7th in yards given up, but 11th in scoring defense in the SAC.
Biggest Question Mark
How this team and coaching staff handle adversity. It is always tough for new coaching staff to come anywhere, much less a place that has had back-to-back forgettable seasons. How this team handles adversity this year, and there will probably be a ton of it, will have a massive impact on if this team grows, or it gets worse.
Head Coach- Quintin Hunter (1st year as HC at Emory & Henry)
2023: 5-6, 3-5 in the SAC
2023 Offense: 11th in total YPG (275.3), 3rd in scoring offense (28.5 PPG)
2023 Defense: 9th in total YPG (360.9), 9th in scoring defense (25.5 PPG)
Schedule
Aug. 31 Glenville State
Sep. 14 Bluefield State
Sep. 21 Barton
Sep. 28 at Limestone
Oct. 5 Lenoir-Rhyne
Oct. 12 at Tusculum
Oct. 19 at Anderson
Oct. 26 Carson-Newman
Nov. 2 at Mars Hill
Nov. 9 UVA Wise
Nov. 16 at Newberry
Quintin Hunter was just recently named the interim head coach for the 2024 season for Emory & Henry. Hunter is in his third year (2nd stint) and 8th year overall with the Wasps. Per the athletics website, he will also serve as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Hunter takes over for long time head ball coach Curt Newsome, who resigned in early August for health reasons. My thoughts and prayers are headed and will continue to head towards Coach Newsome and his family.
The Wasps were my dark horse pick in 2023, and had moments where things started to look well. But inconsistent play on offense and not keeping the QB upright led to keeping the defense on the field way too much. Whether it was Charles Mutter III or Kyle Short, they both were getting abused on a weekly basis. Sometimes it was a bad break that ruined things (like the ridiculously lengthy OT game at Newberry). The good news is, the Wasps led the conference in pre-season all division selections with ten, so hopefully that bodes well for Coach Hunter in 2024. Both Cam Abshire and Cam Peoples return, bringing back over 1,000 receiving yards and Peoples is a blast as a return specialist. Noah Sage and Deshaun Sharp were pre-season all Mountain picks on the offensive line. The Wasps defense is led by tackling machine Kaleb Lundy (111, yes ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN tackles last year) and Addison Knicely. All-Mountain selections Andre Crawley Jr. and Ean Rhea were a handful and are back in 2024 as well.
Biggest Question Mark
Will the team come together despite the multitude of staffing changes, or will they implode? On paper, they have the looks of a team who could continue to improve in their third full season in the league. But can they get over the hump?
Head Coach- Chip Hester (5th Year at Barton)
2023- 6-5, 3-5 vs SAC
2023 Offense- 5th in total YPG (368.3), 5th in scoring offense (27.0 PPG)
2023 Defense- 11th in total YPG (397.6), 6th in scoring defense (24.2 PPG)
Schedule
Sep. 5 West Virginia State
Sep. 14 at Chowan
Sep. 21 at Emory & Henry
Sep. 28 Anderson
Oct. 5 at Carson-Newman
Oct. 12 at Wingate
Oct. 19 Lenoir-Rhyne
Oct. 26 at Newberry
Nov. 2 Catawba
Nov. 9 at Limestone
Nov. 16 UVA Wise
Chip Hester is one of just four SAC head coaches returning this season. Barton got off to a white hot 5-1 start in 2023. Including beating Mountain division champ Tusculum and then-2-time defending champions Newberry. The season unfortunately went south after a visit to Hickory, and the Bulldogs dropped four of their last five on their way to a 6-5 finish. And while this still relatively new program is still getting things moving in the forward direction, they would like to finish their last season in the SAC on a high note.
Gone though, is the Bulldogs three-headed monster on offense. Jaquan Lynch, Kameron Johnson, and Jordan Terrell have all departed Wilson, taking with them 80% of the offensive yards gained in 2023. The last time we saw a school lose that much talent on offense at once, Newberry went from SAC champs to 4-7. Fortunately, much of the very solid offensive line is back and should be a big plus for them. The Bulldogs also lost leading tackler and defensive stalworth Shane Perry to East Carolina as a mid-year transfer. Thankfully for Chip Hester’s crew, absolute stud Matt Smith is back after 98 tackles and 7 TFL’s last season. But a lot of other players on that side of the ball are back, which is great news. Chip Hester is one of the best coaches in the conference and I’m sure he will be able to figure some things out.
Biggest Question Mark
Who fills in? It is common to lose a few key players here and there in college football, but having to replace four of your best players and do so all at once is a challenge. Mainly, who is going to step up to the challenge and replace the over 4,700 yards of offense that left the building?
Head Coach- Ashley Ingram (1st Year at Carson-Newman)
2023: 5-6, 4-4 vs SAC
2023 Offense- 8th in total YPG (323.8), 9th in scoring offense (22.3 PPG)
2023 Defense- 4th in total YPG (313.5), 4th in scoring defense (21.0 PPG)
Schedule
Sep. 5 Reinhardt (NAIA)
Sep. 12 at West Virginia State
Sep. 21 Wingate
Sep. 28 at Catawba
Oct. 5 Barton
Oct. 12 at Mars Hill
Oct. 19 UVA Wise
Oct. 26 at Emory & Henry
Nov. 2 Anderson
Nov. 9 at Tusculum
Nov. 16 at Limestone
Head Coach Ashley Ingram is in his first year on the banks of Mossy Creek, after spending the previous 16 season at Navy in a variety of roles ranging from offensive line coach to offensive coordinator to assistant head coach. Coach Ingram and his revamped offensive coaching staff look to help the Eagles find an offensive identity that has been missing since 2019. Needless to say, with the offensive coaches backgrounds, Mike Leach’s Air Raid isn’t coming to Jefferson City.
The Eagles return a lot of core pieces from the 2023 squad, including 10 starters on defense that was fourth best in the SAC in 2023, along with a lot of other pieces who played some quality minutes. A year later, with a year more of seasoning, should lead to great things on that side of the ball. Jacorey Long leads the defensive line unit, backed by a stud linebacking core and secondary headlined by all-everything DB Major Williams and the hammer Kendall Williams. Carson-Newman had some chances last year to make some noise, but had too many things not go their way and couldn’t close things out. There is a lot of new excitement around the program for the first time in years.
Biggest Question Mark
Can the offense compliment the defense? The Eagles defense was very good last year and should be even better this season. If the offense, led by preseason all division players in Fletcher Gibson, Christian Jones and Jayden Sullins, can find a way to make some plays (and stay healthy) and take some pressure off the defense, it could lead to a great season for Carson-Newman.
Head Coach- Tyler Haines (2nd year at Catawba)
2023: 5-6, 2-6 in the SAC
2023 Offense: 7th in total YPG (343.8), 8th in scoring offense (22.5 PPG)
2023 Defense: 10th in total YPG (383.1), 10th in scoring defense (27.1 PPG)
Schedule
Sep. 7 at Davidson (FCS)
Sep. 14 at Shaw
Sep. 21 at UVA Wise
Sep. 28 Carson-Newman
Oct. 5 at Anderson
Oct. 12 Limestone
Oct. 19 Newberry
Oct. 26 at Wingate
Nov. 2 at Barton
Nov. 9 Lenoir-Rhyne
Nov. 16 Mars Hill
Head Coach Tyler Haines enters his 2nd season in Salisbury and had a pretty darn good debut season. I personally thought he should have won SAC Coach of the Year, but nobody asked me oddly. Catawba saw a four-win improvement on the field while playing a challenging league schedule and made great strides from the 2022 season. The biggest change I noticed from afar was the fight. In 2022, if things were not going well, the effort was left lacking. 2023 was a different story.
I expect the offense to take another step forward and put up some serious points. Bo Pryor gets a lot of attention on the outside, but Catawba’s slew of solid backs and secondary receiving options make it a challenge. Preston Brown holds the reigns, and for much of last season was a legitimate player of the year nominee. The defense had some struggles, but vastly improved last season. Jakarri Martin II and Deno Wardlow are young and outstanding on the backend, and Evan Simons forces fumbles like a free toy giveaway. The question for Catawba is similar to that of Carson-Newman, can one side of the ball improve and compliment the other, rather than making things more challenging.
Biggest Question Mark:
Consistency. There were times in 2023 when the Indians played like they could compete with anyone in the league. But, as the coaches and players would likely tell you, there were other times that they played in a way they would love to forget. As the leadership of this team continues to develop and grow, you can expect players to challenge one another to take that next developmental step in returning Catawba football to the upper echelon of the conference.
Head Coach- Billy Taylor (1st year at Tusculum)
2023: 6-5, 6-2 in the SAC
2023 Offense: 6th in total YPG (347.2), 7th in scoring offense (24.5 PPG)
2023 Defense: 6th in total YPG (321.3), 5th in scoring defense (23.8 PPG)
Schedule
Sep. 7 at West Alabama
Sep. 21 Newberry
Sep. 28 at Lenoir-Rhyne
Oct. 5 Limestone
Oct. 12 Emory & Henry
Oct. 19 at Mars Hill
Oct. 26 Anderson
Nov. 2 at UVA Wise
Nov. 9 Carson-Newman
Nov. 16 at Wingate
Tusculum is yet another SAC program that needed a new head honcho this offseason and didn’t have to use much gas to find their man. The Billy Taylor era starts in Greeneville, after he spent the previous nine years as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at FCS East Tennessee State. Taylor was also there in 2002 and 2003 before the program was shut down. Taylor brings with him 35 years of D-I experience, including 22 as a defensive coordinator along with 17 seasons as a recruiting coordinator.
He takes over a Pioneer program looking to build off their SAC Championship game appearance. Last years Pioneers were also a conundrum, as I don’t recall ever seeing a team force and have as many turnovers at the same time. Matthew Palazzo came out of nowhere to become the starting quarterback, and had a dang good year, finishing 3rd in the league in passing. Leading rusher Jalen Hunt returns after a near 500-yard campaign and along with stud OL Garrett Priest garnered preseason all-Mountain honors. The other two Pioneers who received accolades were LB Earnest Johnson III (76 total tackles, 4 sacks and 9 TFL) and ball hawking DB Jermaine Witherspoon (49 tackles, 5 sacks and 4 interceptions). The Pioneers defense has been their calling card in recent years, and I don’t foresee that changing with Billy Taylor at the helm.
Biggest Question Mark
How quickly can the Pioneers adjust to new systems on each side of the ball, and can they reign in the turnovers that often-kept opponents in games? The Pioneers forced a whopping 23 turnovers last season. They also gave up 24. I don’t think the Pioneers ever had a chance of winning the title game last year against Lenoir-Rhyne, but turnovers on 3 of your first 5 possessions against anybody isn’t a recipe for success.
Head Coach- Todd Knight (16th year as head coach)
2023: 4-7, 3-5 in the SAC
2023 Offense: 9th in total YPG (302.3), 10th in scoring offense (19.8 PPG)
2023 Defense: 5th in total YPG (320.1), 7th in scoring defense (24.3 PPG)
Schedule
Sep. 7 Valdosta State
Sep. 14 Keiser (NAIA)
Sep. 21 at Tusculum
Sep. 28 UVA Wise
Oct. 5 Mars Hill
Oct. 12 at Lenoir-Rhyne
Oct. 19 at Catawba
Oct. 26 Barton
Nov. 2 Limestone
Nov. 9 at Wingate
Nov. 16 Emory & Henry
Another mainstay in the conference, Todd Knight returns for his 16th season as the head coach for the Wolves of Newberry. The winningest coach in school history and three-time SAC coach of the year, Knight is just 7 wins away from 100 career victories. Last year was an odd year for the Wolves. They were fresh off back-to-back league titles, but lost 90+% of their offense in one offseason. This resulted in the first losing season since 2019, something they are not used to in the Graveyard. But they also played in 7 one score games. So it’s not like the Wolves were just awful by any means.
Newberry has always found a way, regardless of who returns or leaves, to be stout on the defensive side of the ball. AJ Valentine is gone, and while the Wolves did not have anyone named to the all-Piedmont team, you can expect them to still show up and be a challenge each week. The offense once again has some turnover. Dwayne Wright returns to lead the offense from his running back spot, after rushing for just over 900 yards and 8 scores in 2023. The tandem with Trakell Murray last year was a bright spot, and Murray returns as well. Keith Desaussure returns to the receiving room but is one of just two guys with double digit catches coming back. And the question remains who will be under center, as all three guys who completed at least 1 pass have departed.
Biggest Question Mark
How do they get back? Last year really showed just how valuable guys like Mario Anderson and Dre Harris were. The Wolves defense always does it’s thing, and they have some solid backs. But consistent quarterback play and weapons on the outside open the running lanes and that is one thing the Wolves will have to do to try to get back in the clubhouse.
Head Coach- Tim Clifton (31st year at Mars Hill)
2023: 8-2, 6-2 in the SAC
2023 Offense: 4th in total YPG (371.3), 6th in scoring offense (26.9 PPG)
2023 Defense: 3rd in total YPG (280.5), 3rd in scoring defense (17.2 PPG)
Schedule
Aug. 29 Delta State
Sep. 21 Lenoir-Rhyne
Sep. 28 at Wingate
Oct. 5 at Newberry
Oct. 12 Carson-Newman
Oct. 19 Tusculum
Oct. 26 at UVA Wise
Nov. 2 Emory & Henry
Nov. 9 at Anderson
Nov. 16 at Catawba
Head Coach Tim Clifton is entering his 31st year at Mars Hill, making him the longest tenured head coach by quite a bit. He is the active wins leader in the conference and 2nd most SAC wins all time behind legendary Carson-Newman coach Ken Sparks. As I shared on twitter just a few weeks ago, Clifton has almost as many wins as the rest of the league combined in SAC play.
The Lions begin the season as the favorites in the Mountain Division and have several key pieces on both sides of the ball returning. The biggest problem for them is a brutal six week stretch to start the season. QB JR Martin (4th leading passer in 2023) returns and brings all sorts of excitement to his game. Jon Gullette, who almost was under the radar last year, is back, and the electric Malik Laurent returns. The defense is relatively back, but losing Landon Honeycutt to the NFL was a big blow. Honeycutt was one of the best linebackers I’ve ever seen in the conference and is big shoes to fill, but Dexter Fitzpatrick is an outstanding player in his own right, and along with Tristan Rankin should anchor the Lions this fall.
Biggest Question Mark
Can Clifton and the Lions finally seal the deal and track down that elusive SAC championship and playoff berth? After falling just short three years in a row with late season losses, can the Lions finally get over the hump and get back to the playoffs for the first time since Harlon Hill winner Jonas Randolph led them there?
Head Coach- Jerricho Cotchery (2nd year at Limestone, 1st as Head Coach)
2023: 8-4, 7-1 in the SAC (Lost to Valdosta State in the 1st Round of the playoffs)
2023 Offense: 1st in total YPG (448.2), 2nd in scoring offense (30.3 PPG)
2023 Defense: 8th in total YPG (345.7), 8th in scoring defense (25.2 PPG)
Schedule
Sep. 5 at West Liberty
Sep. 14 at West Alabama
Sep. 21 at Anderson
Sep. 28 Emory & Henry
Oct. 5 at Tusculum
Oct. 12 at Catawba
Oct. 19 Wingate
Oct. 26 at Lenoir-Rhyne
Nov. 2 at Newberry
Nov. 9 Barton
Nov. 16 Carson-Newman
Head Coach Jerricho Cotchery is in his first season as the head coach at Limestone. The former North Carolina State standout and NFL wide receiver spent last season coaching wide receivers for the Saints and is looking to build off the success Mike Furrey had the past two seasons before departing for South Carolina.
The offensive side of the ball may look a lot different in Gaffney, but the man running it will not. Dustin Noller is back, and the defending Offensive Player of the Year has some records in sight. On the edge of finishing in the top ten in career passing yards in the conference, Noller has a chance to potentially crack the top five with another big year this year. Losing Tre Stewart is a massive blow, but both Preston Lounds and Kevin Lalin played in some important moments last year. Jelani Baker and Drew Dixon are also gone, but Mikey Jones returns and was one of the more under-the-radar wide receivers in the league. On the defensive side of the ball, Ty Cade and Jeremiah Lomax will be the anchors of a defensive unit that drastically improved from 2022 to 2023. Replacing Chandler Matthews will not be an easy task, but the young defense has another year under their belts.
Biggest Question Mark
What is the next step for this program? In 2021, if you would have told anybody in the league that over the next two years Limestone, coming off a winless season, would go 16-8 over the next two years with two co-division championships and two playoff appearances, you probably get laughed off the stage. It almost feels like the Saints are at a crossroads in 2024. Do they somehow replace a lot of valuable pieces and take the next step, or do they slide back towards the middle of the pack.
Head Coach- Rashaan Jordan (19th year at Wingate, 1st as Head Coach)
2023: 8-3, 6-2 in the SAC
2023 Offense: 3rd in total YPG (376.5), 4th in scoring offense (27.1 PPG)
2023 Defense: 2nd in total YPG (265.0), 1st in scoring defense (14.2 PPG)
Schedule
Aug. 31 at UNC Pembroke
Sep. 14 Delta State
Sep. 21 at Carson-Newman
Sep. 28 Mars Hill
Oct. 5 at UVA Wise
Oct. 12 Barton
Oct. 19 at Limestone
Oct. 26 Catawba
Nov. 2 at Lenoir-Rhyne
Nov. 9 Newberry
Nov. 16 Tusculum
The seventh new head coach heading into this season didn’t even have to swap out his wardrobe. After spending the previous nearly two decades as Joe Reich’s right-hand man, Rashaan Jordan now has the keys. Coach Jordan oversaw the Bulldogs defense from 18 years, and most certainly will look to carry the success he had there into his new role.
Wingate returns a lot of players from last years team, especially on the offensive and defensive lines. Brooks Bentley took over the quarterback job last year and I’m assuming he is the guy heading into the fall. He threw for over 1800 yards and 13 scores as a freshman in 2023. Leading rusher Corey Siemer returns (388 yards and 5 TD’s), and Evan McCray is back out wide. He and others (such as Carlos Estonza) will look to step up to replace Tremel Jones departure. But as always, Wingate is led by the defense. One of the best defenses in the country should be even better in 2024, returning loads of talent including Marquise Fleming. One of the best pass rushers in the country.
Biggest Question Mark
Response to Letdowns. In 2022, the Bulldogs made a run to the regional final. Going 8-3 last year had to feel like a letdown. With the players returning, I expect a hungry team to come out and get that nasty taste out of their mouths.
Head Coach: Doug Socha (1st year at Lenoir-Rhyne)
2023 Record: 13-2, 7-1 SAC. (SAC Champions, National Semifinalist)
2023 Offense: 2nd in YPG (438.5), 1st in scoring offense (37.7 PPG)
2023 Defense: 1st in total YPG (258.7), 2nd in scoring defense (14.7 PPG)
Schedule
Sep. 7 Bowie State
Sep. 14 Tiffin
Sep. 21 at Mars Hill
Sep. 28 Tusculum
Oct. 5 at Emory & Henry
Oct. 12 Newberry
Oct. 19 at Barton
Oct. 26 Limestone
Nov. 2 Wingate
Nov. 9 at Catawba
Nov. 16 Anderson
After spending the past six years at Keiser (NAIA), Doug Socha is our 8th and final new head coach for the 2024 season. Coach Socha built a monster at Keiser from the ground up: five straight conference titles and appeared in the NAIA playoffs five consecutive seasons, including a semifinal appearance in 2020 and back-to-back national championship appearances in 2022 and 2023. Coach Socha is also looking to become the 4th Lenoir-Rhyne new hire to win the SAC in their first year in Hickory since 2011.
The Bears are going to have a lot of new faces this year, losing more than a dozen starters from the team who played against Harding in the national semifinals who had a combined 430+ career starts. But the cabinet is not empty, and I don’t expect this team to completely fall off the cliff. Andre Jefferson is back on the defensive line, James Ussery is back to anchor the secondary. The defense lost 5 of their top 7 tacklers from last season. The offense lost some firepower, but on paper looks like it will chug along. I’m assuming Jalen Ferguson will take over quarterback duties and will have DeAree Rogers and Songa Yates back taking on larger roles. Dwayne McGee is gone but look for Zayvion Turner-Knox to have a monster season. He played some big time plays last year.
Biggest Question Mark
Reaction to Turnover. As stated previously, the Bears will have a new look in a lot of places this year both on the field and on the sidelines. Lots of open competitions, and a lot of hungry guys looking to fill the voids left by those no longer in Hickory.
Projected Standings
Mountain Division
1. Mars Hill
2. Carson-Newman
3. Tusculum
4. Anderson
5. Emory & Henry
6. UVA Wise
Piedmont Division
1. Wingate
2. Lenoir-Rhyne
3. Catawba
4. Limestone
5. Newberry
6. Barton
Looking forward to a wide-open and exciting 2024 season of SAC Football.
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