Catawba Picked 2nd in SAC, Six on All-SAC

Catawba College has been predicted to finish tied for second in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Poll. Carson-Newman received six first place votes to Catawba's one first place vote. The Eagles also led the way with eleven players on the all-conference preseason team to Catawba's six players.

Coaches Preseason Poll

1. Carson-Newman (6) 62
2. Catawba (1) 46
2 (tie) Tusculum 46
4. Wingate 41
5. Mars Hill (1) 35
6. Newberry 34
7. Lenoir-Rhyne 16
8. Brevard 8
(First-place votes in parenthesis)

2009 Preseason All-SAC Team

OFFENSE
First Team
QB – Alex Good, Carson-Newman
RB – Buck Wakefield, Carson-Newman
RB – Nelson Woods, Wingate
RB – Marcus Foster, Tusculum
WR – Reggie Hubbard, Carson-Newman
WR – Kelton Tindal, Newberry
WR – Ryan Tallent, Tusculum
TE – Jarrell NeSmith, Tusculum
OL – Terence Crosby, Catawba
OL – Chandler Rearden, Lenoir-Rhyne
OL – Josh Sims, Mars Hill
OL – Matt Holmes, Newberry
OL – Ross Shaffer, Carson-Newman
PK – Colin Corpe, Lenoir-Rhyne
LS – Jordon Simmons, Lenoir-Rhyne

Second Team
QB – Brandon Gantt, Newberry
RB – Ricky Harris, Carson-Newman
RB – Anthony Silvers, Lenoir-Rhyne
RB – Gerald Legree, Newberry
WR – Nate Binder, Tusculum
WR – John Brown, Mars Hill
WR – Calvin Britt, Tusculum
TE – Ryan Webber, Wingate
OL – Hunter Carnes, Catawba
OL – Harrison Smith, Lenoir-Rhyne
OL – Walter Simmons, Newberry
OL – Josh Stone, Tusculum
OL – Ben Benshoof, Wingate
PK – Michael Pinkerton, Mars Hill
LS – Kyle Davis, Wingate

DEFENSE
First Team
DL – Melquan Fair, Catawba
DL – Brandon Harmon, Carson-Newman
DL – Brandon Sutton, Catawba
DL – Lance Clark, Newberry
LB – Brian Brown, Carson-Newman
LB – Stanley Jones, Brevard
LB – Brandon Rawls, Brevard
LB – Stan Galbraith, Mars Hill
DB – Mario Russell, Carson-Newman
DB – Deshun Nesbitt, Mars Hill
DB – Kamaal McIlwain, Newberry
DB – Tylan Merkerson, Wingate
P – John Gregory, Tusculum
RS – Patrick Pinchinat, Wingate

Second Team
DL – Marqus Davis, Catawba
DL – Maurice Harris, Mars Hill
DL – Marcus Nelums, Newberry
DL – Brandon Kelley, Tusculum
LB – Lakeem Perry, Catawba
LB – Zach Johnson, Mars Hill
LB – Ben Hinson, Wingate
LB – Aaron Plyler, Wingate
DB – Marcus Shuford, Lenoir-Rhyne
DB – Andre Moyd, Newberry
DB – Michael Gist, Brevard
DB – Denares Waites, Carson-Newman
P – Chris Jones, Carson-Newman
RS – Reggie Hubbard, Carson-Newman