SAC Week Eight Preview

October 25th, 2024 2:00pm

We are just days away from the first regional ranking release of the 2024 D2 season and that is both wonderful and sad all at the same time. It means we are that close to playoff football…it also means we are that close to the season being over already. Right now, there are currently 3 unbeaten teams in Super Region 2 (Carson-Newman, Johnson C. Smith and Valdosta State), along with 8 one loss teams and 8 two loss teams. A reminder to all, the first regional rankings with be 10 teams in alphabetical order. Don’t ask me why they do it that way. As President Obama once said, ‘that’s above my paygrade’.

This week the SAC has some big-time matchups, highlighted by an old Smoky Mountain Conference rivalry between Carson-Newman and Emory & Henry, essentially for a spot in the SAC title game. Lenoir-Rhyne and Limestone may provide some fireworks depending on health, but I think Anderson and Tusculum could lowkey be an under-the-radar good game.

Best of luck everyone!

Players of the Week

Offense: Jayden Sullins (Carson-Newman)- 25 carries, 235 yards, 1 TD

Defense: Kai Russell (Wingate)- 6 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks, blocked kick

Special Teams: Juice Martin (Catawba)- 2 interceptions, 1 on a botched field goal attempt for a score.

SAC Power Rankings

Last Week: 5-1

Season: 41-9

#17 Carson-Newman Eagles at Emory & Henry Wasps

Location: Emory, VA / 1 PM

Line: Carson-Newman -2.5 / SP+: Emor & Henry 27.8, Carson-Newman 24.3

Series: Series tied 17-17-2. (Carson-Newman won the last meeting, 37-7, in 2023)

Ashley Ingram’s squad fell behind early to UVA Wise last weekend, 7-0, in the first 4 minutes of the game. The offense then exploded for 35 points from the 4:22 mark of the 1^st quarter to the 13:00 minute mark of the 3^rd quarter, building a 35-10 lead. A couple of late Cavalier scores made the game closer, but the outcome was not in doubt as C-N held on for the win and their first 7-0 start since 2003. Jayden Sullins, the SAC Offensive Player of the Week, had his 2^nd straight 200+ yard day on the ground, rushing for 235 on 25 carries and a score. Zane Whitson was in control of the offense again, going 6 of 10 for 98 yards passing, 17 for 56 rushing and 3 total scores, as the Eagles put up over 500 yards of offense in this game. His lone touchdown pass was caught by who else but Cade Meeks on an acrobatic catch. The defense was determined to shut down the run but gave up a lot of yards in the air. The Eagles also had some missed opportunities on offense to really put up some points, and I’m sure those got addressed in practice this week.

It took a little bit to really get going offensively, but the Wasps pulled away late to blow out Anderson last week, 34-3. A 10-0 halftime lead, then a late 13-3 in the 3^rd quarter lead made folks think we might be in for a close one. The Wasps then put up 14 points in 69 seconds to stretch out the lead and never look back. The defense forced Anderson to do a lot of work, forcing another couple to turnovers on the way (something the Wasps do exceptionally well, especially picking the ball off in the air), sacked the quarterback five times as well. Cam Abshire had two more touchdown grabs to go with 7 total catches and 84 yards, as Charles Mutter III played arguably his best game this season. Mutter finished 19 of 30 in the air for 239 yards and 3 scores, while also rushing 8 times for 52 yards. Regardless of how the rest of this season turns out, there’s got to be a lot of happy people in Emory, VA.

Prediction: 8-0 for the Eagles and the Mountain Division Crown

A lot at stake in this one, but I’m going with the Eagles. An Eagles win means they capture at least a share of the division title and will play in the SAC Championship November 16^th. Emory & Henry has been one of the best teams in the nation and forcing turnovers, primarily through the air. The Eagles don’t throw it much but are efficient when doing so. Both teams excel at stopping the run, but Emory & Henry hasn’t faced an option offense or a rushing offense as elite as the Eagles. The best rushing team they’ve faced is Lenoir-Rhyne (currently 77^th in YPG). The Wasps bend but don’t break, just like the Eagles, and if the Eagles want to avoid being the 2^nd ranked team to lose in Emory then the pass defense is going to have to step up. Mutter III, when given time, can make plays with his arm and his feet so the Eagles will have to get pressure on him. Last year they put a beating on him. They will have their hands full, with the two Cam’s. Abshire might be as clutch as they come. If the Wasps can force some turnovers and muck things up, they can win. If the Eagles handle business and do what they are supposed to do, they’ll have a nice ride home. But you absolutely cannot let Coach Hunter’s team hang around. Just ask Lenoir-Rhyne about that.

Anderson Trojans at Tusculum Pioneers

Location: Greeneville, TN / 1 PM

Line: Tusculum -19.5 / SP+: Tusculum 27.2, Anderson 21.4

Series: 1^st Ever Meeting

Anderson hung with Emory & Henry for the first half, finding themselves down only 10-0. The Trojans got back within 10 late in the 3^rd quarter after a Ross Burnette field goal made it 13-3, but then they got stung twice in the last 1:09 of the period. A 30-yard touchdown grab by Cam Abshire and then a 28-yard punt return score by Shawn Collins pushed the lead to 27-3 and the proverbial fat lady was singing. Wasps ended up winning, 34-3. The Trojans managed just 179 yards of offense, as several drives stopped due to turnovers (3 INT’s), and the Trojans just could not stop Chad Pouncy, who record 4 sacks on the afternoon. Jacob Robinson had another interception (at least 3^rd game in a row with a pick), and the Wasps defense just shut down the party before the fireworks got going. The Trojans have a chance to bounce back and are looking to keep the Pioneers winless.

Just as it seemed the Tusculum Pioneers were starting to build a little bit of momentum and trending towards getting their first win under Coach Taylor, they got shellacked by Mars Hill. The offense had a challenging day doing anything, barely reaching 100 yards. Two turnovers, 1.0 yards per rush, and just 2.0 yards per play is not the recipe for success, especially when the defense gives up 382 yards and 6.5 yards per play. Unfortunately, the Pioneers just were not very good last weekend. Couldn’t move the ball, couldn’t stop the ball being moved. You don’t want the one positive from a game to be your punter Stefaan Forbes averaging nearly 50 yards per. Tusculum lost a lot of dudes in the offseason via the portal and graduation. They have two new systems and a lot of young guys. The growing pains have been tough in Greeneville, but there are still some very good football players wearing orange and black, they just got to figure out how to get them going.  

Prediction: Anderson gets to .500

I probably had more difficulty picking a winner in this one than any other game this week. Anderson has had some moments where they have looked alright (outside of the 1^st two games of the year), as has Tusculum. But Anderson’s ability to move the ball a little better and stopping it a little better is why I am picking them. Neither squad is great at stopping the run, and Anderson has a slight edge in pass defense. Whichever team is able to get their run game going early and open up the pass game wins.

Limestone Saints at #18 Lenoir-Rhyne Bears

Location: Hickory, NC / 1 PM

Line: Lenoir-Rhyne -13.5 / SP+: Lenoir-Rhyne 33.2, Limestone 19.4

Series: Lenoir-Rhyne leads series, 7-1. (Lenoir-Rhyne won last meeting, 31-28, in 2023)

It was a long and miserable day at Saints Field last weekend for the host. The Saints fell behind 17-0 at the half and the closest they got after that was 19 at the start of the 4^th, as the Wingate Bulldogs shut down Jerricho Cotchery’s hot offense, 38-12. It was the fewest amount of points the Saints had scored this season, and the fewest amount of offensive yardage. The Saints were -3 in the turnover battle and suffered a couple of injuries along the way. Star running back Kevin Lalin did not play after getting hurt at the Catawba game. And all-conference quarterback Dustin Noller went down, adding to his (for the first time since the West Alabama game) bad day: 14 of 34, 194 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. I was also told the starting center went down. All 3 injuries, if for any length of time, could kill any momentum the Saints were building in a push for a third consecutive D2 playoff bid. About the only bright spot on the day for them was DJ Black continues to be big time. The South Carolina transfer had 4 catches for 137 yards and both Noller TD’s.

Lenoir-Rhyne’s defense, without star defensive lineman Andre Jefferson, shut down the Barton offense last weekend on their way to a 20-0 win on the road. They picked off the Barton quarterbacks three times and finished +2 in turnover differential. Alex Boyd, who has come on strong in the last few weeks, started the show with a 1-yard run to give the Bears a 7-0 lead in the 1^st. Jake Brown would add a pair of field goals, before Alex Boyd added another 1-yard run in the late 3^rd to put the game on ice. The Bears last three scoring drives were 6 minutes plus and double-digit plays. Grueling, old school football drives. Jalen Ferguson was (shocker I know) efficient once again, completing 16 of 21 passes for 156 yards. Ferguson has completed 67% of his passes in four straight games and has had one game all year where he dipped below 63%. Alex Boyd almost had 100 yards and 2 scores. The redshirt junior has been oh so close to hitting the century mark in back-to-back weeks and has now reached the endzone in six straight games. It’s going good in Hickory, just in time for the playoff chase to begin.

Prediction: Lenoir-Rhyne wins, goes to 7-1.

If I knew Dustin Noller was 100%, and I knew Kevin Lalin was 100%, I think the Saints would get the Bears back for last years heartbreaking loss in Gaffney. Health questions remain, thus why I’m picking the Bears to win this big Piedmont showdown, setting up an ever bigger one next week between the bricks against Wingate. The Bears have looked fine this year. They aren’t beating people down like they were at times last year, but they are winning and doing their job. I’m not sure of Andre Jefferson’s health status, but I still think the Bears defense is more than capable of slowing down the Saints if Noller and Lalin don’t play. And I think the Bears offense will take advantage of the Saints defense regressing a little bit over the past few weeks. I was very surprised Wingate moved the ball up and down the field on them with relative ease. Health plays a big role in this one, but it’s dang near impossible for me to pick against Lenoir-Rhyne at home.

Mars Hill Lions at UVA Wise Cavaliers

Location: Wise, VA / 2 PM

Line: Mars Hill -20.5 / SP+: Mars Hill 30.3, UVA Wise 15.7

Series: Mars Hill leads series, 10-1. (Mars Hill won last meeting, 49-21, in 2023)

There was never a doubt last weekend for Coach Clifton’s Mars Hill Lions, as the trounced division rival Tusculum 30-3 at home to keep their playoff hopes alive. Dynamic quarterback JR Martin got the party started with his 1^st of 3 touchdown runs on the day to put the Lions up 6-0. Cherron Holt snagged a pick-six just a minute later made it a two-score game and the Lions were off and running. JR Martin would add two more scoring runs in the game, and the Lions defense would hold the Pioneers to just 103 yards of total offense in the dominant win. Martin finished 13 of 21 for 215 and 1 INT but had 10 carries for 69 yards and the aforementioned 3 scores. Kyeandre Magloire led the way in rushing yards for Mars Hill with 12 totes for 70 yards. The defense effort was led by Dexter Fitzpatrick (9 tackles, a sack, and 4 QBH) and Steven Reid (8 tackles and a hurry). It was a sound, outstanding performance by the Lions in a complete team win.

Gary Bass’ team jumped out to an early 7-0 lead last weekend over nationally ranked Carson-Newman on a great scamper by Jake Corkren from 21 yards out. The Eagles took control after that, outscoring the Cavaliers 35-3 over the next 21 minutes of game time en route to a 35-23 win. Kudos to be given to the visitors, who never quit and continue to fight and turned the Eagles away on a couple of occasions that could have caused the score to get even more out of hand. I’ve mentioned before how Catawba’s culture shifted when Tyler Haines came because you noticed guys didn’t quit and kept fighting, and Gary Bass’ team has shown that in his first year as well. The Cavaliers run game was shut down, but the passing game found some success, with Corkren going 30 of 48 for 279 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tashawn Taylor led the team in yards with 5 grabs for 103, but stud big man Dorien Goddard had the two TD catches. Goddard doesn’t get enough recognition. He’s so good.

Prediction: MARS HILL KEEPS THE HOPE ALIVE, MOVES TO 3-3.

If Mars Hill is going to somehow stay in the playoff hunt, not only do they have to win out, but I feel like they need a lot of other teams to fall to the wayside to give them a chance with 3 losses already. I expect that to start here, and think the Lions have a big win over UVA Wise this weekend. Both sides of the ball are getting into a groove, and while Jake Corkren can make some plays and keep things interesting, I don’t foresee the Highland Cavalier defense making enough stops of JR Martin and Co. to give them a chance. Mars Hill needs to put this away early.

Catawba Indians at Wingate Bulldogs

Location: Wingate, NC / 3 PM

Line: Wingate -27.5 / SP+: Wingate 38.9, Catawba 13.7

Series: Wingate leads series 18-17. (Wingate won last meeting, 31-13, in 2023)

Catawba fell behind 13-0 to Newberry last weekend on homecoming, before going on a 21-0 run in the 2^nd half highlighted by (you guessed it) LJ Turner exploding for 200+ yards again. After taking a 21-13 lead in the 4^th quarter, Newberry had two long scoring drives, including the dagger with less than a minute to go to send Catawba to another one-score SAC defeat, 28-21. Like I said last week, I’m not entirely sure what the opposite is of finding a four-leaf clover inside a golden horseshoe on St. Patrick’s Day…but that’s where Coach Haines team is this season. Four SAC losses by a combined 13 points. Turner finished the day with 213 yards and has now eclipsed 1,000 yards this season. After making some positive steps in the passing game the past few weeks, it was rough going for Hunter Sheppard (8 of 18 for 46 yards and an INT). Juice Martin was a second bright spot for the Indians last week. The reigning SAC Special Teamer of the week had two interceptions, but one was a botched snap on a field goal that he took back 89 yards for a score. It’s been tough in Salisbury this year, but this ball club has continued to fight, again something I’ve been impressed with since Haines took over in 2023.

Carson-Newman may be the lone unbeaten in the SAC, but it’s hard to argue anyone is playing better right now than Coach Jordan’s Bulldogs. After two consecutive shutouts, it looked like it would be a tremendous game against the high-flying offense of Limestone. I joked that the defense has regressed. They gave up 12 points last week! The Bulldogs defense decided, they didn’t want any part of that and put the clamps down. Wingate erupted out to a 31-0 lead before the Saints got a score late in the 3^rd quarter, on their way to a 38-12 win over one of the best offenses in the nation. The Bulldogs defense held Limestone to a season low in points and yards (276), forced 3 turnovers, and ran the ball down their throats like there was no tomorrow. Corey Siemer (8 for 51), Ethan Wallace (10 for 69) and O’Brien Barnett (15 for 101) each rushed for over 50 yards and averaged more than 6.4 yards per carry. Even Brooks Bentley got in on the action, rushing 5 times for 44 yards while throwing for 147 and 3 touchdowns. This was the most complete performance Wingate has had this season and it’s scary.

Prediction: Wingate cruises to 6-1.

I’m rolling with the hot team in this one. Wingate has been on a tear since losing in Mossy Creek, and I don’t think it stops this week, setting up a massive showdown next weekend against Lenoir-Rhyne potentially for the Piedmont Division title. Wingate’s defense should have very minimal issues against Catawba’s offense, and I think the Bulldogs offense should find some success against the Indian defense, just like they did last week against Limestone. Catawba would need some uncharacteristic mistakes from Wingate and unfortunately, they just haven’t been making any in the month of October. The close SAC-losing streak ends, but not in the way they want it.

Barton Bulldogs at Newberry Wolves

Location: Newberry, SC / 4 PM

Line: Newberry -13.5 / SP+: Newberry 26.5, Barton 18.0

Series: Newberry leads series 3-1. (Barton won the last meeting, 34-17, in 2023)

Barton struggled to get anything going offensively and the defense got worn out last weekend, as the Bulldogs fell 20-0 to Lenoir-Rhyne. The defense did manage to make a couple of stops to keep the Bears out of the endzone, but still allowed over 400 yards in the contest, while just managing 121. The combination of Trevor Nored and Nazir Garrett almost had as many interceptions as they did complete passes, but if there was a bright spot for Barton it was Dakauri Davis in the run game. He rushed for 76 yards on 14 carries. It’s been a tough season in Wilson, as the Bulldogs have struggled to replace the offensive elite talent that left, and opponents have found ways to shut down the guys who have tried to. Holding Jayden Flood-Brown to just 1 grab for 13 yards is a tremendously defensive job.

It was a defensive battle early in the Wolves game against rival Catawba last weekend, with a Quez Spells touchdown being the only score in the first half (6-0). Both teams saved the fireworks for the 2^nd half. Newberry took a 13-0 lead with 10:40 to go in the 3^rd after a Dwayne Wright score, just to see Catawba score 21 unanswered to take a 21-13 lead in the 4^th. Reed Charpia then led two long scoring drives in the final 8 minutes, closed by another Quez Spells touchdown run with just :56 remaining to lift the Wolves to a 27-21 victory on the road. The offense played (overall) well for Coach Knight’s ball club, putting up 391 total yards. The defense had some brief struggles in the 2^nd half, but still held Catawba to 273 yards (granted LJ Turner rushing for 213 isn’t going to go over well). But it was a win, and a much needed one for the folks in Scarlet and White!

Prediction: Newberry improves to 3-4 in a big win.

Both ball clubs have had issues at time keeping some sense of consistency on offense, but the Wolves have one massive advantage that I think gets them the win in this one: the ability to run the ball vs. Barton’s inability to stop the run. Outside of the loss to Mars Hill, Newberry has rushed for an average of 199.2 yards per game. Combine that with Barton giving up almost 250 a game and that Spells (see what I did there) disaster for the Bulldogs. Unless Nored and the passing game wakes up and throws the ball around the yard like they did against West Virginia State, I just don’t see Barton being able to keep up in this one. Give me the Wolves.

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