SAC Week Five Preview

October 4th, 2024 5:21pm

We are already in week five of the 2024 season, nearing the halfway mark. There were a couple of scheduling changes made this week, and I imagine there will be some more down the line as many areas within the league were terribly affected by hurricane Helene. Several schools were without power and water and some will be dealing with circumstances caused by the storm for quite a while. We live in East Tennessee and were very fortunate, but seeing some of the photos and videos has been extremely difficult. East Tennessee and Western North Carolina have been my home for most of my life so my heart breaks for them and all the other communities going through this tragedy together. We will continue to serve and keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

I also wanted to take a moment and bump a fundraising opportunity for our guy Brandon. If you don’t know, Brandon Misener is the founder of D2football.com and has done more to bring attention to football at our level than almost anybody. He suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in May and is currently receiving ongoing care in Kansas City. Although he is making strides, he faces a long recovery. Partnering with Custom Ink, you can go and buy some t-shirts or hoodies with a special D2 BM logo, wit all funds going directly to Brandon. Here is the link:

Brandon Misener - D2 Football Custom Ink Fundraising

Players of the Week

Offense: Jayden Flood-Brown (Barton): 7 receptions, 162 yards, 2 touchdowns.

Defense: Dereck Barringer (Barton): 13 tackles, sack, forced fumble, 1.5 tackles for loss

Special Teams: Jalon Warthen-Carr (Anderson): kick return for score, 46 yards per return.

SAC Power Rankings

1. Lenoir-Rhyne
2. Carson-Newman
3. Wingate
4. Limestone
5. Emory & Henry
6. Newberry
7. Mars Hill
8. Barton
9. UVA Wise
10. Catawba
11. Tusculum
12. Anderson

Last Week: 4-0

Season: 25-7

#11 Lenoir-Rhyne Bears at Emory & Henry Wasps

Location: Fred Selfe Stadium in Emory, VA / 1 PM

Line: Lenoir-Rhyne -20.5 / SP+: Lenoir-Rhyne 33.0, Emory & Henry 21.4

Series: Lenoir-Rhyne leads 7-1. (Lenoir-Rhyne won last meeting, 27-0, in 1957)

It was a long couple days for the Bears, as they too had to deal with Helene. The Bears didn’t exactly play there best when they did hit the field, but once again didn’t panic and handled business. After trailing 3-0 after 1, they went on a 21-0 run. Coach Socha’s bunch continued to pad the lead in the 2^nd half before eventually pulling away 37-24. Like I said earlier, the Bears played far from perfect, but still managed to get it done. Jalen Ferguson was once again, effective. 23 of 34 for 351 yards and a score. If Turner-Knox is down, I imagine the Bears will rely more on Jalen and his arsenal of receiving options. Adonis McDaniel led the way this past weekend, with 5 catches for 134 yards. Jaelin Willis tied with Andre Jefferson with 7 tackles, and Jefferson added another sack. It’s going to be so much fun watching that dude play on Sunday’s.  

In some ways, it kind of must feel like a game that got away for Emory & Henry. They went toe to toe for much of the first half against one of the most potent offenses in the conference. Had more first downs, more total yards, were able to be balanced, didn’t get blown away in time of possession. But the 2^nd half was just an entirely different ballgame from the first 30 minutes. Three interceptions played a large role in the loss, and the offense just could not get anything sustainable going in the 2^nd half. Charles Mutter III made some plays in this one before exiting, as did Cole Lambert. Jordan Jackson had yet another terrific game running the football, and if you watched that game it was one of those “oh he’s rushed for how much” kind of afternoons. The Wasps just couldn’t get enough big plays late in the 1^st half when the Saints went up double digits.  

Prediction: 5-0 for Lenoir-Rhyne and Doug Socha

I wouldn’t be stunned if Emory & Henry pulled off what would be the biggest win of their D2 era, I don’t trust them enough yet to make this pick. In part because I don’t know who is going to be under center this week, but because I’m not sure the defense can make enough stops against the weapons Lenoir-Rhyne has out wide. The defense did a great job against the run last week, but the back end frequently got exposed by the big play. Known commodity over unproven commodity in this one.

Limestone Saints at Tusculum Pioneers

Location: Lakeway Football Field in White Pine, TN / 1 PM

Line: Limestone -6.5 / SP+:  Limestone 34.9, Tusculum 21.8

Series: Tusculum leads 6-1. (Tusculum won last meeting, 24-21, in 2021)

It was a tail of two halves for Jerricho Cotchery and the Limestone Saints on Sunday. The first half offense looked fantastic. Couldn’t be stopped, big play after big play. The defense, as Bart Scott once said, couldn’t stop a nosebleed in the first half. The Saints took a 27-17 lead into the break. I have no idea what was said to the defense in the halftime locker room, but it’s safe to say it worked. The Saints were pitching a 2^nd half shutout, highlighted by Jeremiah Lomax’ incredible pick six where he stripped the ball from the receivers arms, until Cam Peoples 22 yard touchdown catch with under 3 remaining. The run game just struggled to find room, as the Wasps just buried it. But Dustn Noller threw for 4 scores to four different guys and 348 yards. You could argue that Noller really didn’t play THAT great, which is odd to say when someone throws for 348 and 4 TD’s.

Tusculum was able to play a game last weekend, despite all the damage in Greeneville. They traveled to Salisbury and played Lenoir-Rhyne on Catawba’s home field. The Pioneers showed a lot of grit in this game and had plenty of opportunities early that just didn’t go there way. Tusculum led 3-0 after the 1^st quarter, before the Bears (in roughly 8 minutes of gametime) made it 21-3. Coach Taylor’s crew never got closer than two scores but showed much more life than they had the previous three games. The Pioneers ending up falling 37-24, remaining winless in 2024. Tusculum found some success through the air, with Kamden Wellington and Matthew Palazzo combining for 281 yards. The defense didn’t have it’s best day, as L-R just shredded them through the air.

Prediction: Limestone keeps it rolling to 4-1.

Limestone is just too good for me to think they trip up here. The first half defensive performance is a cause for concern, and their inability to run the ball last week against Emory & Henry was as well. I just haven’t seen anything unfortunately from the defending Mountain Champs Tusculum to give me upset feels. The Pioneers players and coaching staff, along with the rest of the university has had a (for lack of a better word) “sucky” week plus. They’re living in a dorm at Carson-Newman, practicing at Jefferson County High School, and playing at Lakeway Christian. But the grit and determination they showed in last week’s game was the first glimmer of the Pioneer toughness we’ve seen the past few years.

Barton Bulldogs at #21 Carson-Newman Eagles

Location: Burke-Tarr Stadium in Jefferson City, TN / 1 PM

Line: Carson-Newman -14.5 / SP+: Carson-Newman 30.8, Barton 21.7

Series: Barton leads 1-0. (Barton won only meeting, 31-17, in 2021)

Barton got back to .500 overall and in the league, defeating Anderson 27-13 last weekend. There was not a lot of prolific offense in this one, though scoring took place late in the quarters. All four of the Bulldogs scoring drives were in the last four and half minutes of the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th quarters. Trevor Nored played very well again under center, throwing for 289 yards on 22 of 31 passing. And just when you thought Barton’s receiving core lost a big-time playmaker, Mr. Jayden Flood-Brown puts up 162 yards on 7 catches and 2 touchdowns. It was a big win for Coach Hester’s crew, as the next six weeks on the schedule are a gauntlet.

It can never be easy when Carson-Newman plays Catawba. It’s in the SAC by-laws or something! It was a back-and-forth affair Saturday night, 7-7 after the 1^st, 21-21 after the 2^nd, 28-28 after 3^rd. Catawba took a six-point lead after back-to-back field goals with 3:22 left before Zane Whitson led the Eagles on one of the most memorable drives in Carson-Newman football since I was a student. 13 plays, 84 yards, 2 minutes and 52 seconds almost entirely on the ground to put the Eagles ahead for good, 35-34 to remain undefeated, starting 4-0 for the first time since 2007. And while the Eagles have work to do on both sides, these are the types of games you look back on and are just thankful you were on the right side of the scoreboard.

Prediction: Eagles cruise to 5-0.

I think last weeks game against Catawba, which had Eagles fan’s breathing into brown paper bags, will serve as a wake-up call for the team. I believe the defense will respond and take the challenge of shutting down Jayden Flood-Brown and Trevor Nored. If Barton can do some of the things Catawba did, they may keep it close. But frankly, I’ve not seen enough consistency out of them on offense to think they can score enough to keep up with the Eagles. They’ve had games where they throw the ball great and can’t run it. Then the opposite. Same with the Bulldog defense.

Wingate Bulldogs at UVA Wise Cavaliers

Location: Carl Smith Stadium in Wise, VA / 2 PM

Line: Wingate -23.5 / SP+: Wingate 30.7, UVA Wise 14.0

Series: Wingate leads 4-0. (Wingate won last meeting, 27-0, in 2023)

The Wingate Bulldogs game last week against Mars Hill was cancelled due to the hurricane. Giving the Bulldogs another week to stew over their loss in Mossy Creek.

UVA Wise also did not play last week due to their ballgame against Newberry being cancelled due to the storms.

Prediction: Wingate finally rebounds, goes to 3-1.

The last time we saw these two teams, they were on opposite ends of the spectrum. Wingate had just lost in OT to Carson-Newman, while UVA Wise stunned Catawba. I like the Bulldogs in this one, and unfortunately for my friends in Wise, Virginia, don’t expect it to be close. Wingate has been stewing for two weeks on that loss and will be out for it. The Bulldogs defense is unlike anything UVA Wise has seen this year. UVA Wise will have to play dang near perfect, and Jake Corkren play like the 2^nd coming of prime Tom Brady for them to pull off another upset.

Mars Hill Lions at Newberry Wolves

Location: Setzler Stadium in Newberry, SC / 1 PM

Line: Newberry -3.5 / SP+: Newberry 28.4, Mars Hill 21.1

Series: Mars Hill leads series 33-13. (Mars Hill won last meeting, 21-14, in 2023)

Mars Hill’s game against Wingate last week was cancelled and will not be rescheduled due to the damage caused by hurricane Helene. There is still a lot of unknowns about the Lions on the gridiron, as they have just played two games over the course of 37 days.

Newberry’s game against UVA Wise last week was cancelled and will not be rescheduled due to affects of Hurricane Helene. The Wolves last game was a monstrous win over Tusculum two weeks ago.

Prediction: Wolves keep the momentum, go to 2-2.

This is simply, as I said last week, what I know vs. what I still don’t know. This game would be the toughest one for me to feel confident about though, as both teams have had their issues early on. But we have seen Newberry at it’s best early on, which is better than the best we’ve seen from Mars Hill. Newberry’s offense has looked better than Mars Hill’s, but neither defense has anything worth showing off early on. Give me “The Berry” in a close one, but I wouldn’t be stunned either way. Must win already for both teams if they want to stay in playoff contention.

Sunday’s Game

Anderson Trojans at Catawba Indians

Location: Shuford Stadium in Salisbury, NC / 2 PM

Line: Catawba -19.5 / SP+: Catawba 30.9, Anderson 25.9

Series: First Ever Meeting

Anderson and Barton were in a low scoring defensive battle until halftime, with the Bulldogs ahead 7-0 at the break. The 2^nd half of this game wasn’t lighting up the scoreboard either, as it remained 7-0 until Dakauri Davis put Barton up 14 for about 13 seconds. Jalon Warthen-Carr then responded and took a kickoff to the house. Barton scored again three plays later, and eventually came away with a 27-13 win. Anderson has some talent on the roster, but thus far has struggled with jumping up difficulty levels in SAC play. With no Tyler Wesley, the passing game took a step back, with Riley Willis throwing for just 80 yards in the contest. Trojans did rush for 171 yards but got gashed in the air by Barton. Step-by-step, the Trojans may have a tough first year, but they’ll be okay down the road.

Catawba played another classic against the rival Eagles of Carson-Newman. The Indians answered the call every time the Eagles did, and Preston Brown’s injury late may have been the saving grace the Eagles needed because he was on fire like in NBA Jam. When a quarterback makes the kinds of throws Preston was making last Saturday night, there is only so much you can do as a defensive back. It was dot, after dot, after dot, furthering why I’ve said for two years he is the real deal. The Indians rushed for over 150 yards, and truly had a solid performance. Unfortunately, the defense just couldn’t make that last stop, as they fell 35-34 to (now) #21 Carson-Newman. This was probably the best C-N/Catawba game I’ve watched since the 2007 game.

Prediction: Indians roll, go to 2-3.*

While I, and many around the league, think Anderson is going to be a real problem in the SAC in a few years, 2024 may be the year of taking lumps. This game partially comes down to Preston Brown’s health. If he is healthy, I think Catawba’s offense is just too good to be slowed down and wins by three scores plus. But, if Brown is not healthy, it could be interesting. Hunter Sheppard was just 1 for 9 in relief last weekend, so that is definitely something to keep an eye on.

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