D2Football.com South Atlantic Conference Week Nine Preview

Last week solidified the thought of this conference being competitive from top to bottom.

Carson-Newman survives a 17-13 scare on the road against Lenoir-Rhyne?

Brevard holds Mars Hill's sensational running back Jonas Randolph to only 59 yards on 18 carries?

Catawba records ten sacks against Tusculum?

Newberry's Brandon Gantt throws for a career-high 336 yards in a victory at Wingate?

Those are just a few examples of how the South Atlantic Conference is transforming. The gap between all schools is narrowing and it is happening at an accelerated rate.

Regional Rankings for Week 9

1. North Alabama (8-0, 8-0)
2. Albany State (7-0, 7-0)
3. Carson-Newman (6-2, 5-2)
4. Mars Hill (5-2, 5-1)
5. UNC-Pembroke (6-1, 5-1)
6. West Alabama (5-3, 4-2)
7. Fort Valley (5-3, 4-2)
8. Morehouse (5-2, 5-2)
9. Arkansas Tech (5-2, 5-2)
10. Wingate (5-2, 5-2)

Recapping Week Eight

Carson-Newman: 17 Lenoir-Rhyne: 13
Predicted Score: Carson-Newman: 60 Lenoir-Rhyne: 17

Lenoir-Rhyne flirted with an upset for over three quarters until Carson-Newman scored 14 unanswered points in the final period. The Bears held Carson-Newman to only 112 yards rushing. Most years, the Eagles have that in less than a period against Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bears received another gutsy performance from senior quarterback Justin Sanders as he allowed L-R to more than double the rushing total from Carson-Newman with 230 yard. C-N's air attack was contained for most of the game, including a couple of drops from Reggie Hubbard. However, Hubbard made up for it with the go-ahead score to seal the victory.

Newberry: 35 Wingate: 27
Predicted Score: Newberry: 37 Wingate: 30

By shutting down the Wingate ground game, Newberry put itself in terrific shape to silence a dangerous Bulldog team. Wingate was unable to overcome a game-changing interception return for a touchdown by Newberry in the fourth quarter. WU quarterback Cody Haffly went toe-to-toe with perhaps the SAC's best player not named Jonas Randolph, which is Brandon Gantt. Haffly had 232 yards passing and three touchdowns. However, one of his two interceptions essentially ended all hopes of a 4-0 SAC start. Newberry was boosted by the play of big-time receivers Brandon Bostick, nine catches for 158 yards, and David Smith, seven catches for 142 yards and a score.

Catawba: 41 Tusculum: 27
Predicted Score: Catawba: 38 Tusculum: 24

Catawba quarterback Pat Dennis continues to energize a Catawba offense that is beginning to hit its stride after atrocious displays earlier in conference play. In a way, the first and second half of the Tusculum game is a microcosm of Catawba's conference season. The Tribe earned a combined zero points after two trips inside the Tusculum 5-yard line. Dennis lifted the Indians to 28 second half points to give his team the first conference win of the season. Tusculum allowed ten sacks to the Indians. Pioneer freshman quarterback Bo Cordell completed 32 of 50 passes for 392 yards and four scores.

Mars Hill: 28 Brevard: 13
Predicted Score: Mars Hill: 31 Brevard: 17

While this one is not classified as a moral victory for Brevard, it does show how far the Tornados are advancing under head coach Paul Hamilton. BC was determined to slow down the Lion rushing attack at all costs, which allowed Mars Hill quarterbacks Jon Richt and Luis Cruz to fire devastating blows. The duo combined for 258 yards passing and three scores to give Brevard its first home setback in 2009.

Week Nine Previews

I made last week look easy by going 4-0.

My record now stands at 31-12 for the season and 10-6 in conference play.

The 4-0 prediction record is not only a result of my expertise with this conference, but also an attempt to land my own reality-television show.

Some people pretend to have their kid in a silly looking balloon in their quest to get TV time while others calculate point spreads and preview South Atlantic Conference games.

Saturday October 24, 2009

Brevard (6-2, 2-2) at #15 Carson-Newman (4-2, 3-0), 1:00 PM ET
Forecast at Kickoff: 57 degrees, few showers, 9 MPH wind, and 30% chance of precipitation.
Point Spread: Carson-Newman (-28)

I know I should have learned a lesson after Lenoir-Rhyne nearly knocked off Carson-Newman, but I feel like this one will not be close. This will be the second straight week that the Eagles will face an option offense. Plus, the Brevard offense hardly got off of the ground last week against Mars Hill. To win, or be competitive, at Mossy Creek, a team must have a high-octane offense.

Carson-Newman is due a huge win at Burke-Tarr Stadium this season and they will not have another week of not being able to execute inside of the redzone.

Carson-Newman's split back veer running attack may be limited early by Brevard's determined defense. In fact, one of the biggest surprises to most this season is the impressive numbers posted by their defense.

However, there comes a time when a couple of deep passes will open up the dive for huge gains. The Tornados do not possess the speed to keep up with C-N quarterback Alex Good once he reaches the edge. Expect Good to have close to 150 rushing yards thanks to a couple of long distance runs.

Carson-Newman reminds the country that the veer should still be feared.

Carson-Newman: 49 Brevard: 9

Tusculum (1-6, 0-4) at Newberry (4-3, 2-2), 7:00 PM ET
Forecast at Kickoff: 52 degrees, showers, 12 MPH wind, and 40% chance of precipitation.
Point Spread: Newberry (-17)

This game is usually reserved as the battle of the SAC's best and fastest athletes since the year 2003.

This year it is going to be reserved as, to put it kindly, Newberry wiping out Tusculum.

It has been one of those years for the Pioneers where nothing seems to go right for very long. One issue that must be addressed by Tusculum is the pressure placed on freshman quarterback Bo Cordell. His reaction to heat in the pocket must be addressed on getting rid of the football. Last year, Pioneer legend Corey Russell always had the ball either out of his hands at the drop back or he was scrambling when his mental clock went off.

That will develop in time for Cordell but Newberry isn't going to wait.

The Scarlet and Gray's defensive backfield was responsible for another big score this season when junior Ron Parker took an interception 54 yards to the end zone.

Expect Newberry's defensive front to set the tempo from the opening drive. Newberry quarterback Brandon Gantt will be facing one of the worst secondaries he has played to date this season. Consider that with the ridiculous size of the Scarlet and Gray receivers and we have a mismatch of epic proportions.

Tusculum's offense is potent enough to keep the score reasonable although the game will be decided early.

Newberry: 47 Tusculum: 24

Wingate (5-2, 3-1) at Catawba (4-3, 1-3), 1:30 PM ET
Forecast at Kickoff: 70 degrees, showers, 13 MPH wind, and 40% chance of precipitation.
Point Spread: Catawba (-3.5)

Both Catawba and Wingate have seen benefits arise out of initial adversities.

Wingate's star tailback Nelson Woods was sidelined for disciplinary reasons until the fourth game of the season. This allowed sophomore Vince Jordan, a West Montgomery High standout, to already have 664 yards rushing and eight scores on the season. He runs with the attitude that he will be delivering the blows, not the defenders.

Catawba had UNC-Chapel Hill transfer quarterback Cam Sexton sidelined twice with late-hit injuries. Backup quarterback Pat Dennis has been playing like the absolute starter the past two weeks, and the Catawba offense has never looked better.

It is hard to see a lot of good news for Wingate heading into this week. Although the Bulldogs control their destiny, it surely is a treacherous journey. A trip to Catawba, hosting Carson-Newman, and then heading to Mars Hill awaits the Bulldogs.

And the journey already got off on the wrong foot last week in a loss against Newberry.

Wingate will attempt to get a better running game going this week after being absolutely dismal against the Scarlet and Gray with only 80 total rushing yards.

If Wingate cannot get momentum going with Woods and Jordan early on, they will not be able to overtake Catawba.

After a ten sack performance last week, the Tribe's defensive line is looking for an encore performance. WU quarterback Cody Haffly can slip out of the pocket if he must, which he performed brilliantly in the nationally televised game against Tusculum earlier in the year.

Expect Dennis to have another incredible day with help from receivers Gerron Bryant, Brandon Bunn, and Eric Morman.

Catawba: 33 Wingate: 21

Lenoir-Rhyne (4-4, 1-3) at Mars Hill (5-2, 3-1), 2:30 PM ET
Forecast at Kickoff: 59 degrees, showers, 11 MPH wind, and 40% chance of precipitation.
Point Spread: Mars Hill (-8)

Lenoir-Rhyne has continually stood its ground this year regardless of its opponent.

The Bear Bone offense is generally good for at least 250 rushing yards a game, which essentially limits the time of possession another team has.

A senior quarterback in Justin Sanders, along with this option offense, make it difficult to foresee the Bears being beat by more than a score or two.

This is a huge trap game for Mars Hill. Playing a perceived weaker opponent at home while being ranked fourth in the regional rankings make this game one to keep a close eye on.

Obviously, Mars Hill will need better production from Harlon Hill candidate Jonas Randolph this week after he was held in check to only 59 yards against Brevard.

The Lions should be able to pass on Lenoir-Rhyne because the Bears will put out all of the stops to contain Randolph. It is the smart move to pull of the upset in this situation. The Bears need the Mars Hill quarterbacks to prove their worth again after they performed well in the win over Brevard a week ago.

L-R coach Fred Goldsmith will force Richt or Cruz to win the game, not Randolph.

Lenoir-Rhyne does not have quite enough on defense to upset the Lions.

Mars Hill: 24 Lenoir-Rhyne: 21
Full Story

Catawba Wins 41-27 at Tusculum

Quarterback Patrick Dennis threw three second-half touchdown passes and the defense recorded 10 sacks as Catawba avoided its first four-game losing streak since 1994 with a 41-27 win over host Tusculum in South Atlantic Conference football action on Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Field.

The Catawba Indians improve to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in the SAC, while the Pioneers fall to 1-6 and 0-4.

Catawba trailed 20-13 at the break, but Dennis threw all three of his scoring strikes in the third quarter as Catawba rallied for a 34-27 lead. His 15-yard pass to Grayson Downs with 3:22 remaining in the quarter put the Indians on top for good. The defense made it stand up, posting four sacks after that point and intercepting Bo Cordell twice in the fourth quarter.

Full Story

Newberry Routs Catawba 40-21

SalisburyPost.com
Mike London

Beads of sweaty disappointment dripped down the cheeks of Catawba All-American Melquan Fair after a 40-21 loss to SAC rival Newberry on a homecoming Saturday.

Fair stomped 46 yards for a touchdown after scooping a fourth-quarter fumble. He lived a defensive lineman's wildest dream, but most of the events that occurred at sun-drenched Shuford Stadium were of the nightmare variety.

"A disappointing day, but we've got some strong individuals on this team," Fair said. "We'll keep fighting."

Had Saturday's contest been a prizefight, referees would have stepped in, sent Newberry to a neutral corner and awarded the visitors a TKO before the second quarter ended.

Head coach Chip Hester readily admitted the score was closer than the game. Catawba (3-2, 0-2) took a beating. No two ways about it.

"I got out-coached, and they out-played us and out-athleted us," Hester said. "We had the opportunities, but we didn't make any plays. We've got to put some drives together, get some first downs, control the ball. Our defense can't play every play."

Catawba's sins were numerous. Couldn't tackle. Couldn't run the ball. Couldn't protect the quarterback.

"We just got beat," safety Jaspen Gray said. "There's a lot of work to do."

Catawba won the kicking game, but every offensive and defensive stat showed Newberry's dominance. Catawba quarterback Cam Sexton, the North Carolina transfer, was sacked seven times and harassed into an interception and a fumble.

Catawba was a dismal 2-for-12 moving the chains on third down. It also was out-rushed 329-44, and that's not a typo.

"Our kids have been hoping, searching, trying to find a way to play a complete game," first-year Newberry coach Todd Knight said. "We've had several good halves. Today, we put a whole game together."

Catawba produced its only substantial offense in the first quarter, breezing 60 yards in five plays to forge a 7-7 tie. Sexton looked sharp, zipping passes of 22 yards to wideout Gerron Bryant and 15 to tight end Grayson Downs to key the drive. Antonio Hall got the touchdown from the 4.

Shootout turned blowout when Newberry (3-2, 1-1) rolled to three unanswered scores in the second quarter for a 28-7 halftime lead. Catawba was outgained 316-102 the first two quarters.

Catalysts for Newberry were elusive quarterback Brandon Gantt (211 passing yards), wideout Brandon Bostick (104 receiving yards) and hard-nosed running back T.J. Worrell, who finished with the second-best rushing game in school history. He carried 19 times for 237 yards.

Catawba couldn't bring Worrell down.

"Tackling has been the problem the last couple games," Gray said. "We're not missing many assignments. We're in good position. It's a matter of not wrapping up."

Dozens of missed Catawba tackles helped Mars Hill's Jonas Randolph earn SAC honors last week following the Lions' 14-12 victory. Worrell is a likely honoree this week.

"What happened against Mars Hill in the rain and mud, we looked at that as a fluke," defensive lineman Brandon Sutton said. "But we found out today Mars Hill wasn't a fluke. We did tackling circuits all week long, but we still didn't tackle. We've got to respect opposing quarterbacks and running backs a lot more. This isn't high school. This is the SAC. Those guys are not going to go down on the first hit. We've got to wrap up and run through them."

Catawba showed life early in the third quarter when Gray blocked a punt and James Collins recovered at the Newberry 2.

"Eric Morman was on the outside and, when their guy pulled out to block him, it gave me a lane to get in there," Gray explained.

Josh Wright punched the ball into the end zone, Thomas Trexler's PAT made it 28-14, and Catawba fans were thinking miracle comeback. When Casey Hall pilfered a pass to put the offense back on the field, it seemed possible.

Catawba had second-and-5 at the Newberry 36 when linebacker Andre Moyd turned in of the game's biggest plays. He sacked Sexton for a 13-yard loss, forced a fumble on a wicked hit and recovered the ball himself.

"Looking on film, Catawba's offensive line looked to be one of the most experienced and best we'll face, and Sexton is a live-armed Division I guy who can really sling it," Knight said. "But a defensive back's best friend is a pass rush, and we were able to bring strong pressure. Maybe we just had a really good day and Catawba's offensive line had a bad day."

With 3:17 left in the third quarter, Worrell supplied the backbreaker, rambling through, around and over Indians on a 61-yard jaunt for a touchdown.

It was 34-14. The only mystery left was how ugly the final score would be.

"We knew this would be a tough matchup for us against a team with lots of experience and talent," Hester said. "The frustrating part is we weren't ready to play. We've got to find some way to get ready."

It doesn't get any easier. The Indians visit Carson-Newman next Saturday.

NOTES: Sexton was 8-of-25 passing for 122 yards. He had two nice runs on designed plays, but with all the sacks, he had minus-37 yards rushing. ... Catawba linebacker Lakeem Perry made 11 tackles. ... Fair accounted for two QB hurries and Catawba's only sack. ... Cornerback Bryant Vennable had a pick. ... Center Zane Gibson dressed but did not play. He expects to return next week. Full Story

Catawba Struggling to Get Started

SalisburyPost.com
Mike London

Kicker Thomas Trexler had to make the tackle on the opening kickoff, an early sign that Catawba's SAC opener against Mars Hill on Saturday was not going to follow the standard script.

Catawba (3-1) usually wins at home, usually beats Mars Hill, usually manhandles opponents in the trenches, usually deals with whatever the weatherman offers, but none of that stuff happened in Saturday's 14-12 loss to the fired-up Lions at soggy Shuford Stadium.

"Every play is huge, and Mars Hill made a lot more plays than we did," Catawba head coach Chip Hester said. "It's a total team loss. We got beat everywhere. Now we've got to regroup."

Catawba had vigorously stuck it to Mars Hill the last two seasons, the nationally televised game at Shuford in 2007 and Hester's 50th win at the helm of the Indians in the mountains in 2008.

"Catawba flat wore us out last time we came down here," Mars Hill coach Tim Clifton said, referring to a 45-21 pasting. "Catawba is always hard to beat. They're especially hard to beat when they're at home so this is a tremendous win for us."

It's a tremendous loss for the Indians, but it's not the end of the world.

"Yeah, this is a hard blow, but the goals we set are still out there for us if we pick it up," senior safety Jaspen Gray said.

It gets a lot tougher now, with a quick 0-1 hole, but all realistic preseason aspirations remain attainable. Maybe the Indians dreamed about going undefeated, but there's so much parity in the SAC now, it's unlikely anyone will run the table.

The puzzler continues to be the painfully slow starts. Catawba has scored 22 first-half points in four games.

Considering the offensive line is experienced, the receivers are fast, the backs are competent and the primary quarterback has started ACC games, that meager level of production is hard to explain.

Catawba was fortunate to win 21-20 at Fayetteville State after trailing 10-7 at the half. Livingstone isn't scaring anybody, and Catawba led the Blue Bears 6-0 at the break.

"We're coming out flat game after game and that includes the offensive line," senior guard Kevin Hamaker said. "We've all got to start doing our part because the defense has carried us."

Catawba's defense is stellar when it comes to sacking QBs, but it didn't have a great day against a Mars Hill team that had no interest in throwing a wet ball.

Mars Hill ran straight at the Indians, showed superior will on a bruising, brawny statement drive to open the game and didn't relinquish the upper hand until the last 10 minutes. Heading to the fourth quarter, it appeared Catawba might be shut out for the first time in 15 years.

Catawba showed something down the stretch, putting two TDs on the board once a sense of urgency finally arrived.

"Too little, too late," Hester said. "Very frustrating."

Still, there's enough time, enough talent and enough character on hand to get it together and to get it done.

But it has to start Saturday afternoon when Newberry (2-2) comes to town.


Full Story

Catawba Ranked #11 by D2Football.com

The D2Football.com Top 25 Media Poll has the Catawba Indians ranked as #11 in the latest rankings. The Tribe is joined by only one other conference team with Newberry being ranked #16. Grand Valley remains the top team in the country after defeating Ferris State 17-10 this past weekend.


Rank Team Record
1 Grand Valley 4-0
2 Abilene Christian 4-0
3 North Alabama 4-0
4 Central Washington 4-0
5 Bloomsburg 4-0
6 Northwest Missouri 3-1
7 Texas A&M-Kingsville 4-0
8 Minnesota State 4-0
9 Minnesota-Duluth 3-1
10 Delta State 2-1
11 Catawba 3-0
12 Ashland 3-1
13 Central Missouri 4-0
14 Tarleton State 4-0
15 Missouri Western 4-0
16 Newberry 2-1
17 Albany State 3-0
18 Saginaw Valley 3-1
19 Pittsburg State 2-2
20 Wayne State (Ne) 3-1
21 Midwestern State 4-0
22 Tuskegee 3-1
23 IUP 3-1
24 Nebraska-Kearney 3-1
25 Charleston 4-0

Full Story

Indians Erupt in Third Quarter

Mike London
SalisburyPost.com

Catawba athletics director Dennis Davidson joked that he felt his grip on the massive, gold Mayor's Cup slipping away at halftime, but he never had anything to worry about.

Catawba led Livingstone only 6-0 at the break, but a 35-point third quarter ignited a 51-0 rout in the annual contest between Salisbury's Division II programs.

Catawba has prevailed in the rivalry every year since the series was renewed in 2000. Only the 2002 meeting at Livingstone came close to going the other way.Running back Antonio Hall and receiver Gerron Bryant scored two touchdowns apiece, and Catawba's defense held the Blue Bears to negative rushing yardage.

"At halftime, we knew we were a lot better than that 6-0 score," said Hall, who pounded for 118 rushing yards.

Catawba (3-0) suffered adversity when starting center Zane Gibson hobbled to the sideline with a knee injury on the Indians' second offensive snap. That forced two changes. Guard Daylon McAlexander moved to center. Roy Carter Jr., who began his college career as a Livingstone Blue Bear, came off the bench to fill in at guard.

The Indians managed their only first-half points shortly after a pass on a faked punt backfired on the Blue Bears. Catawba took over on the LC 41, and Patrick Dennis passed 36 yards to a wide-open Brandon Bunn for a touchdown as the first quarter expired.

Livingstone's band was exceptional at halftime, but the stat sheet showed that Catawba's defense, especially the defensive line, was in complete control. The Blue Bears (0-3) had rushed 17 times for 17 yards. It was only a matter of time.

"We were frustrated that we'd left a lot of points on the field in the first half, but we weren't worried," said Dennis, who stepped in for injured Cam Sexton and passed for 182 yards. "We were moving the ball, but we hadn't finished drives. "There wasn't much yelling and screaming at halftime. We knew the gameplan was a good one. We knew that everything we wanted was right there."

If there was a single game-changing play it was Hall's return of the second-half kickoff. He refused to go down and enabled the offense to start from the Catawba 46.

Six brisk rushing plays later, Hall was in the end zone. Thomas Trexler's PAT made it 13-0.

"I thought the second half we really settled in and played football," Catawba coach Chip Hester said. "That first possession was very important in order to get control of things. Hall's kickoff return was great. He ran with a very high level of effort all day."

Catawba's Melquan Fair and Cory Johnson buried Livingstone's first play of the second half for a 3-yard loss. The Blue Bears went three-and-out, shanked a punt, and the Indians were knocking on the door again at the LC 31.

On first down, Hall broke a run to the 5. Defensive back Alkeem Deloatch shook the ball loose, making one of his 11 tackles, but Catawba's All-America offensive tackle Terence Crosby recovered.

Two runs by Josh Wright produced a touchdown. Trexler's PAT was good, it was 20-0, and a huge snowball was rolling downhill.

Then Bryant took over. His 38-yard reception set up the TD that made it 27-0.

With 4:13 left in the third quarter, Bryant caught a 47-yard TD pass from a scrambling Dennis to make it 34-0.

Two minutes later, Bryant reeled in a 48-yard TD pass from Daniel Griffith for a 41-0 edge. In a span of six minutes, Bryant made three catches for 133 yards and two TDs. He helped Catawba put 35 points on the board in a little over 10 minutes.

"That halftime score was like a punch in the groin for all of us," Bryant said. "It was a gut-check. But our coaches have taught us to play right, and the second half we went out and performed the way we're supposed to. We played Catawba football."

Trexler blasted a 46-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Catawba special teams accounted for the final TD when Jaspen Gray smothered a punt and Aaron Cauble recovered in the end zone.

Livingstone never turned it over, but it was forced to punt 11 times. Quarterbacks Steven Williams and Bryan Aycoth passed for 93 yards, but Livingstone's 23 rushing attempts went nowhere. The Blue Bears were 2-for-15 converting third downs.

Marqus Davis had two sacks and another tackle for loss to lead Catawba's defense. Terrence Porter also contributed a sack.

"The word on the defensive side was domination," Catawba lineman Brandon Sutton said. "We were missing our starting quarterback but with or without him the game goes on."

Full Story

Davis Named SAC Defensive Player of the Week

TheSAC.com

The South Atlantic Conference Football Players of the Week have been announced for the week ending September 6, 2009. Newberry College quarterback Brandon Gantt was named the SAC Offensive Player of the Week, Catawba College defensive end Marqus Davis was tabbed the SAC Defensive Player of the week, and Lenoir-Rhyne University return specialist Jamont Jones was named Special Teams Player of the Week.


Gantt, a senior quarterback from Lexington, S.C. (Middle Tenn. St. Univ / Heathwood Hall), wins the award for the second week in a row. He recorded 368 yards of offense for the second straight week and once again etched his name into the Newberry record books. He completed 35-of-47 passes for 335 yards and a touchdown, including 10 consecutive completions to start the game and no interceptions. The 335 yards is ninth in Newberry history and the 15th 300-plus game in school history. It is his second straight game with over 300 yards. He also carried the ball 10 times for 33 yards. His quarterback efficiency rating was 141.36.

Davis (Charlotte, N.C. / North Mecklenburg HS) was one of the defensive stars for the Indians in the win over Fayetteville State as he was in on three sacks and blocked a pair of kicks in the 21-20 win. The senior defensive end had nine tackles overall and had three of the eight team sacks, including one of the final play of the game. Davis also blocked a punt in the first quarter and a field goal try in the second quarter with the game tied at 7-7.

Jones (Washington, N.C. / Washington HS) had a big day on special teams for the Bears Saturday night despite the 52-45 overtime setback to the Mountain Lions of Concord on the road. The sophomore returned four kickoffs for 168 yards (42.0 yards-per-return average) including a 90-yarder for a score in the third quarter. The kickoff return for a touchdown was the first by a Lenoir-Rhyne player in six years. One of the team’s starting cornerbacks, Jones also made six tackles on defense.

Full Story

Sexton's night ends quickly against Fayetteville State

Dan Wiederer
FayObserver.com

Cam Sexton's Division II joyride hit an unforeseeable road block Saturday night at Fayetteville State.

On his first pass of the night - a 9-yard completion to Travis Landrum - Sexton was hit late by FSU defensive end Jamaal Dixon. And that was that.

Night over.

With barely a minute gone by in the first quarter of Catawba's 21-20 win at Nick Jeralds Stadium, the Indians starting quarterback was propped up on a sideline trainer's table, grimacing in pain as team trainers examined his right ankle.


Sexton tried to put weight on the foot but couldn't. He wrapped a bag of ice around it but was in too much pain to return.
Dennis takes over

Catawba turned to Patrick Dennis in relief. And the junior backup stepped forward, throwing for 164 yards with two second-half touchdown passes.

Sexton, meanwhile, initially sat anxiously on the bench, burying his face in his hands and shaking his head. This was not the return to Fayetteville he had envisioned.

By halftime, the Scotland High School product and former University of North Carolina signal caller was gone from Nick Jeralds Stadium, headed with his parents to Chapel Hill for X-rays.

Results of those tests were not known after the game. But Catawba coach Chip Hester had his fingers crossed that it was nothing more than a sprain.

"That's the hope," Hester said. "His ankle was sore. He couldn't push off. But beyond that, I don't have any other details. We'll have to wait and find out."

Earlier in the week, Fayetteville State coach Kenny Phillips had been eager for his defense to be tested against such a talented and proven college quarterback. Phillips talked of trying to find ways to rattle Sexton. But when Dixon rolled up onto Sexton's plant leg on Catawba's third offensive play, the quarterback's night was finished right when it started.

On the opposing sideline, Phillips admits he felt a bit of sympathy.

"I hope the kid's OK," he said. "Because I know he's been through some tough times in his college career. And I can only hope he can come back in and play the rest of the year for those guys." Full Story

Catawba Defense Shines in Raleigh

SalisburyPost.com
Mike London

Catawba won't celebrate its official Homecoming until Oct. 3, but many Indians returned to their roots in Saturday's season opener.

Former UNC quarterback Cam Sexton's touted trip to the Triangle triggered a major media circus, and he showed what all the fuss is about with 336 passing yards and two TDs. He sparked Catawba's solid 25-7 victory against St. Augustine's at Broughton High School.

Catawba head coach Chip Hester, who grew up in Raleigh, ventured home with far less fanfare than his new QB. So did defensive line coach Khanis Hubbard, D-line monster Melquan Fair, starting center Zane Gibson and O-line reserve Daylon McAlexander, who played quite a lot. Offensive coordinator Matt Barrett is an N.C. State graduate.

"It was the first time I've coached in my hometown as a head coach," Hester said. "My family was here, people I went to church with were here, my high school coach and some teammates were here. It was just a great opportunity for Catawba to have a presence in an important recruiting area."

Catawba's 2008 season opened with a stunning setback against St. Augustine's, but there was no repeat.

Fair blasted through to destroy the Falcons' first play from scrimmage, and Catawba's deep defense stayed dominant in sweltering temperatures with 11 tackles for loss and two picks by freshman Junal Rolle. St. Aug's managed just 60 yards of offense in the first half and didn't score until the fourth quarter. By then, Catawba led 18-0.

"No one plays a perfect first game, but we wanted the defense to look strong," outspoken tackle Brandon Sutton said. "The focus was on being the aggressors and letting them know we have the best defense in Division II."

Hester said "no Knute Rockne speeches" were required to get the team up. Not after last year's disappointment He didn't raise his voice in his pregame talk.

"We already knew this was a payback game," said Antonio Hall, who paced Catawba rushers with 84 yards. "They were fired up, but so were we and we stayed with it."

Hall shrugged off one devastating hit and kept coming.

Gibson spent a chunk of the preseason establishing a rapport with his new quarterback and was a little worried about Sexton before kickoff.

"Cam seemed really quiet," Gibson said. "I asked him, 'Are you all right?' He said that's just how he is before a game. I'm sure he feels like he can do better, but he was good for the first game. We've all got a lot of getting better to do and we'll get after it."

Sexton, who was sacked three times, was a little tight and a little off early, but his 51-yard completion to Gerron Bryant, who made a wonderful, lunging catch with five minutes left in the first quarter broke the ice and got him going. Bryant's grab led to Thomas Trexler's 29-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

An eligibility issue had been weighing heavily on Bryant's muscular shoulders, and wasn't resolved — favorably — until right before the team met Friday at 8:30 p.m.

"I've been walking around campus with my head down all the time because I've been praying," Bryant said. "Prayers do work. I had faith all along that they would."

The talented Bryant caught six of Sexton's 23 completions and had 106 receiving yards.

Catawba made it 9-0 at halftime when Sexton waited patiently for Brandon Bunn to break open as he sprinted across the end zone and delivered a textbook throw.

A fine punt by Colby McCanna, a hustling effort by Scottie Floyd that downed the ball on the 1 and a sack by defensive end Marqus Davis for a safety on the next play gave the Indians an 11-0 lead early in the third quarter.

In the middle of the third, Catawba put together a scoring drive that consumed nearly eight minutes and essentially put the game away.

Catawba was able to overcome multiple penalties as Sexton made key completions to Bunn and Brian Terwilliger. On third-and-10 at the SA 13, Sexton connected with Travis Landrum over the middle for 11 yards. It took Catawba three tries from the 2, but Hall hammered the ball over the goal line.

St. Aug's scored on Joaquin Green's 32-yard pass to Richard Abney with 7:37 left to play to make it 18-7, but Sexton had an answer — a 39-yard TD strike to Landrum.

Catawba outgained St. Aug's 424 yards to 162, and the Falcons moved the chains on only twice on their 10 third-down plays.

"We haven't arrived yet, by any means, and the guys understand we're not where we need to be," Hester said. "Still, we did a lot of things we can feel good about. Today's exposure was good for the team and good for Catawba."
Full Story

August 15th Pictures

Sophomore defensive end Brandon Weedon played in many snaps as Catawba held its first fall scrimmage in 2009 at Shuford Stadium on Saturday morning.

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August 14th Pictures

Sophomore running back Josh Wright looks for an opening in Friday's practice.

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LB Kewone Harris Starts to Heat Up

Sophomore linebacker Kewone Harris is starting to emerge as a prized linebacker that the Catawba faithful foreshadowed last season.

True freshman outside linebacker Cory Johnson has garnered the most buzz since arriving in fall camp last week. He appears as a probable candidate to replace departed two time all-league linebacker Charles McAfee in 2009, as does senior hitter Leon Ager.

However, a bright spot in this camp has emerged from sophomore outside linebacker Kewone Harris.

Harris arrived at Catawba last season with perhaps bigger expectations than household name Lakeem Perry did as a true freshman. At 6'1 185 pounds, Harris was one of the state's top prep tacklers during his final season at Oxford-Webb High School, collecting 171 stops.

After a injury-filled freshman campaign in 2008, the likelihood of Harris moving to safety was not only likely, but almost certain. It made sense as the Tribe had lost three of its top four safeties from last season, and Harris speed was looked to as an asset for Bob Lancaster's back four.However, fast forward to Friday morning and onlookers saw Harris lining up beside redshirt freshman Ronald Martin and senior Leon Ager at times as a linebacker.

Other news and notes from Friday's practice included a huge forced fumble from senior defensive end Arthur Cromartie on junior rusher Casey Hall. Senior running back Antonio Hall is an explosive offensive weapon and is primed for a vital role in Catawba's wide open offense. Hall had two touchdown runs in the practice's make-shift redzone trips, including an untouched scoring run on the far left-hand side.

Sophomore tight end Holt Rains showed excellent footwork against blitzing outside linebackers, while starting junior tight end Grayson Downs is a trust-worthy commodity in the passing game. Rookie Vincent Beam is still learning the position from his new tights coach Gerald Williams.

Quarterback Cameron Sexton had a lengthy write-up in Friday's Charlotte Observer, but was not in uniform on this day. Instead, quarterbacks Pat Dennis and Daniel Griffth took charge of the first and second-string offenses. Gunslingers Maurice Hughes and Landon Isenhour threw the pigskin on the sidelines, while all-state passer Brett Mooring absorbed more of the Indian's complex playbook.

Sophomore defensive tackle Robert Brown started in the team's final two contests against Brevard and Lenoir-Rhyne. He continued his positive momentum into camp thus far, plugging in crucial alleys in Lancaster's 4-3 scheme.

Brown will still be looking up to junior Brandon Sutton and senior Melquan Fair on the depth chart this season, but under Khanis Hubbard's rotation, Brown will have ample opportunity to improve on last season's success.



Full Story

August 11th Practice Pictures

Junior wide receiver Brandon Bunn goes high to haul in a pass for a huge gain in Tuesday's practice.

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August 10th Practice Pictures

True freshman linebacker Corey Johnson defends against a throw in Monday's pass skeleton.

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Saturday Night Practice

Quarterback Cameron Sexton showcased his arm strength in the early stages of Saturday's practice.

As the sun began to fade into the distance behind the endless sum of trees on Catawba’s practice field, an equal amount of jumping jacks and war cries geared up Saturday night’s practice.

Wide receivers Travis Landrum and Brandon Bunn started off the evening with circus catches before the first period session, while the Indian’s returning tight ends met with new tight ends coach and 12 year NFL veteran Gerald Williams.

All ten defensive linemen were in action on Saturday, showing true freshmen DE Damien Lee and DT Tobias Brown the ropes of defensive line coach Khanis Hubbard’s drills. Rookie defensive end James Hunt showed a lot of tenacity in his first of many weekend practices.

Lindy’s Magazine recently named senior defensive tackle Melquan Fair as a second team preseason All-American in its latest summer college football edition. The 6’1 260 pound senior was the first in-line for each drill session, demonstrating virtually perfect technique on each station.

Senior linebackers Leon Ager and Julian Samolu have been vocal leaders thus far in camp, leading by example to the underclassmen. Freshman linebackers Cory Johnson and Dennis McFatten looked the part early on.

Center Zane Gibson delivered good snaps to QBs Cameron Sexton and Pat Dennis during the late pass skeletons. True freshman OL Ethan Winn was sensational in his second full day of camp, a bright future is ahead of Catawba’s newest Gretna High School star.

Sexton gave deceiving head fakes on play-action passes, while Dennis loves to roll after a fake hand off to find his targets down field.

Head coach Chip Hester playfully shouted to his scores of freshmen on the sideline. “Puppy dogs, puppy chow,” laughed Hester during the passing drill. “You guys are a little wet behind the ears!”

As the pass skeleton waged on, it was junior wide out Brian Terwilliger making his name known. All over again.

Terwilliger was a highly regarded QB at New Hanover and was used consistently last season as a change of pace QB in rushing situations.

This off-season however, according to offensive coordinator Matt Barrett, Terwilliger has found a niche at receiver through hard work in the weight room this summer.

Senior Antonio Hall could pull double duty this season, at least according to the stat sheet. Catawba’s talented running back is just as dangerous catching the ball as he is taking hand-offs.

Hall will have some help in 2009 with Western Carolina transfers Josh Wright and Levon Curtis. Both running backs were in full force on Saturday night, and each carries their own personality to the offense.

Redshirt-freshman running back Bobby Morrison was in street clothes, still rehabbing from a spring injury that has sidelined the former Shrine Bowl MVP for several months. He was in high spirits however, giving pointers to Levon Curtis and true freshman Rashaun Gaither, a 2,000 yard rusher and all-state running back at Starmount High School.

Blocking for the new faces at running back will come from a good nucleus at fullback. Junior Adawi Revels will be pushed by redshirt freshman Trevor Vermette and rookie Aaron Rainey for the starting job.

True freshman safety LJ McCray could have been mistaken for a speed demon on special team drills, who visited Appalachian State a week prior to inking with Catawba in February.
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August 8th Practice Pictures

Preseason Second Team All-SAC linebacker Lakeem Perry enters the 2009 season as the reigning SAC Defensive Freshman of the Year.

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Let the 2009 Camp Begin

Redshirt-freshman left tackle Decarius Kanyinda was one of the first veteran players to sign in on Friday afternoon.

Two-time All-American offensive lineman Terence Crosby has a crucial task on his mammoth shoulders in 2009, protecting QB Cameron Sexton's blind side.

On Friday afternoon, however, Crosby was all smiles when greeting new and familiar faces at Hayes Field House.

At 1:00 PM, returning lettermen scurried into the football office lobby, anxious to highlight their respective names and meet with head athletic trainer Bob Casmus. Height and weight measurements were recorded for every player, but those traits are not always predictors of future standout Catawba football players.

After equipment was issued to each player, Chip Hester called a seniors-only meeting at 3:00 PM. A collective team meeting took place a half-hour later.

Hester has issued a mandatory midnight curfew for all players, which took into effect after Friday night's introductory 9:00 PM practice session in helmets.

Be sure to check out the 2009 Indians from 7:00 to 9:15 PM on Saturday night. Catawba will be in helmets, team T-shirts, and shorts.

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The Freshmen Arrive to Catawba

Tobias Brown was one of over 50 expected players to arrive to Catawba and begin their college football careers.
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D2Football Preview Magazine

D2Football.com is expanding its coverage in 2009.

The D2Football Preview 2009 Magazine is 112 pages with a color cover and black and white interior pages. It includes:

-D2Football.com All-America Team
-D2Football.com Top 25 Media Poll
-Previews of every Division II Team
-Conference Predictions
-All-Conference Teams

D2Football Preview 2009 is available online for the price of $15.00 and can be purchased using PayPal's secure billing process. You do not need a PayPal account.

The magazines will be shipped once they are completed and printed.

Buy today and become informed about D2Football in 2009.

Please visit the link below to purchase your copy today.

Click Here to Purchase
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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
Full Story

2009 Statistics

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Catawba's Aaron Rainey Leads West All-Stars

Gaston Gazette Staff Report

GREENSBORO - Bessemer City's Aaron Rainey led the West with 40 rushing yards on six carries and Forestview's Jarkeevus Alexander was second in rushing with 29 yards on just one carry. Alexander also led the West in receiving with four catches for 86 yards. Rainey, who plans to play at Catawba this fall, started at fullback and Alexander, headed for UNC Pembroke, later entered at wingback.

Chapel Hill’s Steven Moore scored on a 5-yard run with 9:11 remaining to give the East a 6-0 win over the West in the East-West All-Star Football Game on Wednesday.

The West, guided by head coach Scott Cloninger of Lincolnton, managed just 193 yards of offense out of the triple option, including 65 yards on 30 carries and 128 yards through the air on 8 of 17 passing.

South Point’s Daniel Biggerstaff started at offensive guard for the West and Lincolnton’s Reginald Anderson also played for the West at offensive line.

East Lincoln’s Jason Perry, another UNC Pembroke recruit, started at defensive back and finished with unassisted tackle and two assisted.

The East produced just 174 yards of offense but put together a 13-play, 71-yard scoring drive late to secure its third straight win in the series. The West leads the series 35-25-1.

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July 14th Pictures

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Cameron Sexton and Other QBs Practice

IndianHuddle.com Press Release
Nestled in between Catawba's annual high school football camps and the college's soccer field was the location for UNC transfer QB Cameron Sexton to get a feel for his new group of offensive playmakers.

Junior receiver Gerron Bryant left many defenders dead in their tracks and Sexton would rifle spirals into his awaiting hands. Other wide outs Sexton has become fond of are Brandon Bunn and Brian Terwilliger, a junior duo that combined for well over 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2008.

Sophomore Eric Morman was a full-time starter last season and he showed why on Tuesday afternoon. As opposed to what mothers tell their kids, Morman loves to play in traffic and shows no fear slanting across the middle.

Former Scotland County product Colby McCanna is the lone high school teammate of Sexton's, and is a red-shirt senior like the former UNC QB. McCanna has worked hard this off-season to prepare for a bright season this fall.

Senior running back Antonio Hall showed tremendous versatility in his route-running out of the backfield. Hall has stayed in Salisbury, NC, over the summer months and is building chemistry with new and familiar faces.

One of those new faces in the huddle was Northridge HS (Colorado) QB Chance Green. At first glance, Indian fans would think All-American QB Brad Roach had a younger brother playing football.

QB Patrick Dennis is no stranger to throwing pigskins on Catawba's practice fields, nor the bright lights of Shuford Stadium. Dennis is the conference's second leading returning passer with 1,152 and 13 TDs, and may be a 2009 Preseason All-SAC candidate.

Sexton and Dennis have been sharing experiences of being collegiate quarterbacks the past couple of months. Both are intelligent passers with strong knowledge of the game according to Indian offensive coordinator Matt Barrett. Full Story

Western Carolina's Levon Curtis Heads to Catawba

IndianHuddle.com Press Release
Western Carolina sophomore wide receiver Levon Curtis will soon be heading to Catawba for the 2009 season.

Curtis is following former Catamount Josh Wright to Salisbury, NC, after both saw significant time for the FCS program just one year ago. Wright is a 5'10 215 pound running back that transferred to Catawba over the winter break and played admirably in the college's annual spring game.

In 2008, Curtis caught a dozen passes during his inaugural collegiate season for 78 yards.

He may be listed as a receiver, but Curtis' services don't end there. His stocky stature at 5'9 210 pounds makes him an ideal weapon in the backfield as a rusher.

Against Chattanooga last year, Curtis recorded a start at running back.

He performed brilliantly by recording 18 attempts for 108 yards in their convincing 27-7 win. For the season, the true freshman tallied 44 carries for 180 rushing yards.

On top of his versatility on offense, Curtis was also one of the starting kick off return men for Western Carolina. He returned 19 total kicks for an average of 19.1 yards per return, and also had a team-high 39 yard return during the 2008 season.

Curtis entered Cullowhee, NC, as one of the top prep wide receivers in the state. As a senior for Western Alamance, he guided the program to a 3A state championship and earned a spot on the 3A first team all-state team.

During their state title win against North Gaston, Curtis accounted for five touchdowns en route to Most Outstanding Player honors. He caught seven passes for 153 yards, while also adding 96 rushing yards in their state championship victory.

As a receiver, he hauled in 69 catches for 1,298 yards and 19 TDs during his final year. At running back, he added on 743 rushing yards and 13 TDs. In all, he accounted for 2,051 total offensive yards and 32 TDs in a single season.

Besides being named first team all-state as a senior, he was also chosen as the 3A Triad Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Curtis is leaving a Western Carolina program that is mourning the loss of defensive back Ja'Quayvin Smalls, who passed away during voluntary workouts last week. Full Story

Ellington Starring in Indoor League

By: Mike London
Salisbury Post

When he stares out the window, Ron Ellington can see "The Fence" — a controversial wall of wire and steel that rises 18 feet high on the border between El Paso, Texas, and Jaurez, Mexico.

The fence is a daily reminder for Ellington, a former Catawba football standout whose career ended with All-American accolades in 2007, that he's a long way from home.

"It's so different from North Carolina," Ellington said. "No green. Not many trees. Hot. Just desert climate."

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Ellington is a defensive lineman for the El Paso Generals and an MVP candidate in the Indoor Football League, which was formed in 2008 when the Intense Football League and United Indoor Football joined forces.

Ellington made 206 tackles for Catawba. Half of his 52 tackles for loss were sacks. Seven sacks came in one record-breaking frenzy against Mars Hill when he was a sophomore. That game made him a star. He never topped it, but he never stopped being reliable and productive. Ellington has always gotten sacks, whether he was suiting up for Charlotte's Independence High, Catawba or the El Paso Generals. That's what he does.

The Generals play an odd brand of football that people used to watching Catawba wouldn't recognize. It's 8-on-8. Players carom crazily off 4-foot high walls. Punts aren't allowed. The field is only 50 yards long. Scoreboards get lit up. When the Generals enjoy a stellar defensive night, they win 55-38.

About 90 percent of the plays called in the IFL are pass plays. That makes Ellington very valuable.

"It's a throwing league made for pass-rushers and pass-blockers," Ellington said. "I started out playing linebacker, but I was best as a pass-rusher, so they moved me to defensive end."

Ellington has racked up 17.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 13 games, but he admits it's not something he can do forever. The payscale in the IFL isn't geared for making a living. Players need a second job to make ends meet.

"I am not making any money," Ellington said. "But I'm doing this to get to where I want to be. I look at it like I've got to give up a little to gain a lot."

Ellington knows exactly how he ended up in the dusty western corner of Texas, but it takes him 10 minutes to explain the twists and turns he's taken in his pro career.

He didn't hear his name called in the 2008 draft, but he hadn't expected to. He tried out for a Canadian Football League team but wasn't signed.

He worked his first job off the football field, counseling at a group home, and joined the Carolina Speed for their final three weeks.

He was picked in the United National Gridiron League's online draft last January and was excited about suiting up for Team Virginia. He worked out diligently and got his mind right.

Opening day in the UNGL was postponed twice because of financial struggles. Then the league was cancelled — at least for this year.

"After that, I went back to speak to the Speed, but their roster was full," Ellington said. "But those setbacks were blessings. The coach at El Paso had heard about me. He called and asked If I was interested."

Ellington was.

When the Generals opened the season April 4 with a 50-17 thrashing of the Corpus Christi Hammerheads, Ellington was there, playing in front of a crowd of 3,250 at the 5,600-seat El Paso County Coliseum, which is also home to rodeos, livestock shows and the Ice Capades.

"Half the fans come across the border from Mexico and the other half are from El Paso," Ellington said. "Fan support has been good because we're the closest thing to the NFL in town. They used to have an Arena League team, but they were O-fer and didn't make it. We're 11-2. Everybody likes a winner. They come see us."

The home games are fun, but road trips are rough. The Generals play often against Texas teams in the Lone Star Division, but it's not like they can jump on a jet when they're scheduled to play out of state.

Ellington will never forget the team's 24-hour bus ride to St. Charles, Mo., to play the River City Rage. The Generals left El Paso on a Wednesday, rested up, then won 70-56 on Saturday.

Ellington's best game came in one of the Generals' early wins.

"I got off to a strong start with one of our games against Corpus Christi," Ellington said. "They said I had 2.5 sacks, but after they reviewed the film they gave me credit for five.

"Word started getting around, and it got harder after that. Teams started changing their line splits against me. Teams started using the running back to stay in and help block me."

Still, Ellington's gotten his share of sacks. He ranks in the top five in the IFL in sacks and tackles for loss. There are only three O-linemen on the field, and he's been a handful.

Ellington stays in touch with Catawba coaches and trusts that hard work will pay off. Catawba assistant Bob Lancaster has many contacts in Canada. It's also likely the original Arena Football League will be back in business in 2010.

Ellington noted that former teammate Brad Roach is playing quarterback in af2, which is Triple-A for the Arena League.

There was also good news last month when Ellington's El Paso teammate, offensive lineman Polo Gutierrez, was signed by the Buffalo Bills.

Scouts are everywhere, and you just never know who's watching.

"I want to use this opportunity I've gotten in El Paso as a stepping stone to a higher level," Ellington said. "I'm hoping my numbers will speak for themselves." Full Story

2009 Catawba Football Schedule

Aug. 29, 2009 @ St. Augustine's W 25-7
Sep. 5, 2009 @ Fayetteville St. W 21-20
Sep. 12, 2009 vs. Livingstone W 51-0
Sep. 26, 2009 vs. Mars Hill L 14-12
Oct. 3, 2009 vs. Newberry L 40-21
Oct. 10, 2009 @ Carson-Newman L 41-31
Oct. 17, 2009 @ Tusculum W 41-27
Oct. 24, 2009 vs. Wingate 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 31, 2009 @ Brevard 1 p.m.
Nov. 7, 2009 vs. Lenoir-Rhyne 1:30 p.m. Full Story

2009 Catawba Football Recruiting Class

NAME POS. HT. WT. CLASS HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL
Robbie Aldridge DL 6-0 210 Fr Trussville,AL/Hewitt-Trussville
Tyler Allen
Vincent Beam TE 6-3 205 Fr North Wilkesboro,NC/Wilkes Central
Gavin Blakey K 5-10 170 Fr Madison,NC/McMichael HS
Nick Bodenheimer OL 6-2 245 Fr Winston-Salem,NC/Reagan
Tobias Brown DL 6-2 270 Fr Stantonsburg,NC/Beddingfield
Keith Bryant DB 5-9 180 Fr Hamptonville,NC/Starmount
Jarrod Cave OL 6-0 265 Fr Dobson,NC/Surry Central
Tajh Cheeseboro LB 5-9 195 Fr Cameron,SC/Calhoun Co.
James Collins DB 6-1 200 So East Islip,NY/E. Islip/Suffolk CC
Jared Crabtree WR 6-1 170 Fr Raleigh,NC/Wakefield
Rob Creason DL 6-2 280 Fr Winston-Salem,NC/N. Davidson
Dylan Crump WR 6-1 190 Fr Hudson,NC/Hibriten
Bo Davidson WR 5-9 175 Fr Gaffney,SC/Gaffney HS
DJ Davis LB/LS 6-2 215 Fr Charleston,SC/Wando
Robert Davis WR 6-0 175 Fr Claremont,NC/Bunker Hill
Dainel Donaldson OL 5-11 230 Fr China Grove,NC/S. Rowan
Matthew Draughn DB 5-10 160 Fr Asheboro,NC/Providence Grove
Tim Flanagan RB/DB 5-8 160 Fr Salisbury,NC/W. Rowan
Scottie Floyd DB 5-10 165 Fr Gastonia,NC/Ashebrook
Quatez Fuller RB 6-0 190 Fr Rutherfordton,NC/R-S Central
Jerome Gadberry LB 6-0 180 Fr Boonville,NC/Starmount
Rashaun Gaither RB 5-10 190 Fr Yadkinville,NC/Starmount
Chance Green QB 6-6 205 Fr Greeley,CO/Northridge
Calvin Hall
Sammy Houston DB 5-10 165 Fr Hamlet,NC/Richmond Sr.
Maurice Hughes QB 6-0 170 So Clemmons,NC/W.Forsyth/Forsyth Tech
James Hunt LB/DE 6-1 220 Fr Clinton,NC/Clinton
Alex Ingram DB 5-10 170 Fr Rockingham,NC/Richmond Sr.
Jonathan Ingram RB 5-8 190 Fr Lincolnton,NC/Linconlton
Landon Isenhour QB 6-2 195 Fr Newton,NC/Foard
Corey Johnson LB 5-10 225 Fr Fayetteville,NC/Britt
Terrance Johnson WR/DB 5-9 175 Fr Pinnacle,NC/W. Stokes
Bobby Krauk P 6-6 210 Fr Finksburg,MD/Westminster
Damein Lee DL 6-'3 235 Fr Reidsville,NC/Reidsville
Darrius Massey DB 5-8 165 So Spencer,NC/N.Rowan/Winston-Salem St.
Payton McCollum WR 5-10 175 Fr Winston-Salem,NC/Mount Tabor
LJ McCray DB 6-1 185 Fr Charlotte,NC/Harding
Dennis McFatten LB 6-2 195 Fr Ocala,FL/Lake Weir
Anthony McGill DB 6-0 185 Fr Matthews,NC/Butler
Jeff McMillion OL 6-3 240 Fr Madison,NC/McMichael
Alex Miller DB 5-10 185 Fr Newton,NC/Foard
Richard Miller FB 6-1 235 Fr Elon,NC/W. Alamacnce
Brett Mooring QB 6-3 235 Fr New Bern,NC/W. Craven
Dustin Morgan LB 6-0 230 So Cooleemee,NC/Davie Co./Louisburg CC
Joseph Peterson S 5-10 170 Fr Chestertown,MD/Queen Anne’s Co.
Thomas Phillips FB/P 6-3 255 Fr West Jefferson,NC/Ashe Co.
Michael Priest LB 6-1 200 Fr Winston-Salem,NC/N. Davidson
Aaron Rainey RB 5-11 230 Fr Gastonia,NC/Bessemer City
Jumal Rolle DB 6-0 180 Fr Wilson,NC/Beddingfield
Keith Royal DE 6-4 220 Fr North Wilkesboro,NC/N. Wilkes
Nathan Smith DB 5-7 165 Fr Winston-Salem,NC/Glenn/Forsyth Tech
Lance Spivey OL 6-0 300 Fr Summerfield,NC/Reidsville
Kyle St. Clair OL 6-2 265 Fr Taylorsville,NC/Alexander Central
Justin Terwilliger DE 6-2 260 So Wilmington,NC/New Hanover/Cape Fear CC
Jacob Todd LB 6-2 220 Fr Norwood,NC/S. Stanly
Keyon Wade FB/LB 6-0 210 Fr Woodbridge,VA/Woodbridge
Ethan Winn OL 6-4 295 Fr Gretna,VA/Gretna
Josh Wright RB 5-10 215 So Raeford,NC/Hoke Co./W. Carolina Full Story

2009 Catawba Football Roster

# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School

1 Thomas Trexler K 5-10 190 So. Wilmington, NC/New Hanover
2 Josh Wright RB 5-10 215 So. Raeford,NC/Hoke Co./W.Carolina
3 Cortez Best DB 5-11 195 Sr. Huntersville,NC/N. Mecklenburg
4 Leon Ager LB 6-0 195 Sr. Grover,NC/Shelby
5 Antonio Hall RB 5-9 195 Sr. Greensboro,NC/NE Guilford
6 Travis Landrum WR 6-0 185 Sr. Inman,SC/Chapman
7 Brandon Bunn WR 5-11 175 Jr. Virginia Beach,VA/Kellam
8 Julian Hartsell DL 6-4 295 Jr. Columbia,SC/Ridgeview
9 Julian Samolu LB 6-1 215 Sr. Salisbury,NC/W. Rowan
10 Patrick Dennis QB 6-1 185 Jr. Durham,NC/Cedar Ridge
12 Cameron Sexton QB 6-2 200 Grad. Laurinburg,NC/Scotland Co./UNC
13 Daniel Griffith QB 6-2 205 So. Salisbury,NC/N. Rowan
14 Kewone Harris DB 6-0 190 So. Durham, NC/Webb
15 LJ McCray DB 6-1 185 Fr. Charlotte,NC/Harding
16 Martel Shaw WR 6-2 195 Jr. Greensboro,NC/NW Guilford/Lenoir-Rhyne
18 Gerron Bryant WR 6-3 180 So. W. Palm Beach,FL/Palm Beach CC
19 Brian Terwilliger WR 5-11 185 Jr. Wilmington,NC/New Hanover
20 Terrence Jones DB 5-9 165 Jr. Rockingham,NC/Richmond Sr.
21 Bryant Vennable DB 6-0 200 So. Gretna, VA/Gretna
22 Jaspen Gray DB 5-11 175 Sr. Advance,NC/Davie Co.
23 Mario Washington WR 5-8 160 Jr. High Point,NC/Ragsdale
24 Derrick Brown DB 5-11 175 So. Siler City,NC/Jordan Matthews
25 Jumal Rolle DB 6-0 180 Fr. Wilson,NC/Beddingfield
26 Brett Mooring QB 6-3 235 Fr. New Bern,NC/W.Craven
27 Eric Morman WR 6-1 185 So. Rockingham,NC/Richmond Sr.
28 Octavius Hough DB 6-1 185 So. Charlotte, NC/E. Mecklenburg
29 Calvin Hall DB 5-9 185 Sr. Concord,NC/NW Cabarrus/Averett
30 Casey Hall RB 5-9 170 So. Concord,NC/NW Cabarrus/Averett
31 Aaron Cauble DB 5-11 170 Jr. Salisbury, NC/E. Rowan
32 Adawi Revels FB 6-0 220 Jr. Hiddenite,NC/N. Iredell
33 Corey Johnson LB 5-10 225 Fr. Fayetteville,NC/Britt
34 Anthony McGill DB 6-0 185 Fr. Matthews,NC/Butler
35 Levon Curtis WR 5-10 200 So. Elon,NC/W.Alamance/W.Carolina
36 Sammy Houston DB 5-10 165 Fr. Hamlet,NC/Richmond Sr.
37 Scottie Floyd DB 5-10 165 Fr. Gastonia,NC/Ashbrook
38 James Collins DB 6-1 200 So. East Islip,NY/E.Islip/Suffolk CC
39 Bo Davidson WR 5-9 175 Fr. Gaffney,SC/Gaffney
40 Bobby Morrison RB 5-9 195 R-Fr. Statesville, NC/W. Iredell
41 Aaron Rainey FB 5-11 230 Fr. Gastonia,NC/Bessemer City
44 Jeb Bass LB 6-1 205 So. Newton,NC/Foard
47 Payton McCollum WR 5-10 175 Fr. Winston-Salem,NC/Mount Tabor
50 Lakeem Perry LB 6-0 195 So. Louisburg, NC/Louisburg
51 Michael Priest LB 6-1 200 Fr. Winston-Salem,NC/N.Davidson
52 Melquan Fair DL 6-1 280 Sr. Raleigh,NC/E. Wake
53 DJ Davis LB/LS 6-2 215 Fr. Charleston,SC/Wando
54 Jacob Todd LB 6-2 220 Fr. Norwood,NC/S.Stanly
55 Terence Crosby OL 6-3 305 Sr. Winston-Salem,NC/Glenn
56 Kevin Hamaker OL 6-3 295 Sr. Beaufort,SC/Battery Creek
57 Philip Russ LS 6-3 260 So. Casar,NC/Burns
58 Ronald Martin LB 6-0 225 R-Fr. Clayton,NC/Clayton
59 Dustin Craft LB 6-1 210 R-Fr. China Grove, NC/Carson
61 Daylon McAlexander OL 6-4 275 So. Raleigh,NC/Wakefield
62 Roy Carter, Jr. OL 5-10 320 Sr. Warrenton,NC/Warren Co.
63 Jarrod Cave OL 6-0 265 Fr. Dobson,NC/Surry Central
64 T.J. Michel OL 6-3 295 R-Fr. Winston-Salem, NC/Mt. Tabor
65 Ethan Winn OL 6-4 295 Fr. Gretna,VA/Gretna
66 Daniel Donaldson OL 5-11 230 Fr. China Grove,NC/S.Rowan
68 Nick Bodenheimer OL 6-2 265 Fr. Winston-Salem,NC/Reagan
69 Jeff McMillion OL 6-3 240 Fr. Madison,NC/McMichael
70 Kemp McSween OL 6-4 285 Jr. Rockingham,NC/Richmond Sr.
71 Lance Spivey OL 6-0 300 Fr. Summerfield,NC/Reidsville
72 Hunter Carnes OL 6-4 305 Sr. Ayden,NC/Ayden-Grifton
73 Marquell Reddick OL 6-3 285 So. Detroit, MI/Grand Rapids CC
74 Stephen Dorenbusch OL 6-8 305 Fr. Granite Falls,NC/S.Caldwell
76 Rob Creason DL 6-2 280 Fr. Winston-Salem,NC/N.Davidson
78 Zane Gibson OL 6-3 310 Jr. Wake Forest,NC/Wakefield
79 Decarius Kanyinda OL 6-3 295 R-Fr. Raleigh, NC/Apex
80 Dylan Crump WR 6-1 190 Fr. Hudson,NC/Hibriten
81 Jamey Small WR 6-3 180 Sr. Rockwell,NC/E.Rowan
82 Ronnie Williams WR 6-3 175 R-Fr. Durham, NC/Hillside
83 Tyler Allen WR 6-2 175 So. Orange Park,FL/Fleming Isl/Jacksonville
84 Lavar Marsh TE 6-4 275 Jr. Burlington,NC/E. Alamance
85 Holt Rains TE 6-5 240 So. Goldsboro, NC/Rosewood
86 Colby McCanna WR 6-2 215 Sr. Laurinburg,NC/Scotland Co.
87 Grayson Downs TE 6-3 275 Jr. Mt. Pleasant,NC/Mt. Pleasant
89 Terrence Porter DL 6-3 255 Sr. Roanoke Rapids,NC/Roanoke Rapids
90 Damien Lee DL 6-3 235 Fr. Reidsville,NC/Reidsville
91 Brandon Weedon DL 6-2 220 So. Columbia,SC/Spring Valley
92 Arthur Cromartie DL 6-3 230 Sr. Fayetteville,NC/Sanford
93 Wilbur Pender DL 6-2 300 Sr. Franklinton,NC/Franklinton
94 Bobby Krauk P 6-6 210 Fr. Finksburg,MD/Westminster
95 Brandon Sutton DL 6-3 280 Jr. Snow Hill,NC/Greene Central
96 Alex Hartsell DL 6-4 285 Jr. Columbia, SC/Ridgeview/The Citadel
97 Tobias Brown DL 6-2 270 Fr. Stantonsburg,NC/Beddingfield
98 Robert Brown DL 6-2 295 So. Camden,SC/Camden
99 Marqus Davis DL 6-2 230 Sr. Charlotte,NC/N. Mecklenburg
Vincent Beam TE 6-3 205 Fr. North Wilkesboro,NC/Wilkes Central
Gavin Blakey K 5-10 170 Fr. Madison,NC/McMichael
Jared Crabtree WR 6-1 170 Fr. Raleigh,NC/Wakefield
Anthony Cunningham DL 5-11 250 So. Landover,MD/Flowers/Prince George CC
Robert Davis WR 6-0 175 Fr. Claremont,NC/Bunker Hill
Matthew Draughn DB 5-10 160 Fr. Asheboro,NC/Providence Grove
Tim Flanagan RB/DB 5-8 160 Fr. Salisbury,NC/W. Rowan
Quatez Fuller RB 6-0 190 Fr. Rutherfordton,NC/R-S Central
Jerome Gadberry LB 6-0 180 Fr. Boonville,NC/Starmount
Rashaun Gaither RB 5-10 190 Fr. Yadkinville,NC/Starmount
Chance Green QB 6-6 205 Fr. Greeley,CO/Northridge
Seth Hazelton LB 6-2 195 Fr. Gastonia,NC/Forestview
Maurice Hughes QB 6-0 170 So. Clemmons,NC/W.Forsyth/Forsyth Tech
James Hunt LB/DL 6-1 220 Fr. Clinton,NC/Clinton
Alex Ingram DB 5-10 170 Fr. Rockingham,NC/Richmond Sr.
Jonathan Ingram RB 5-8 190 Fr. Lincolnton,NC/Linconlton
Landon Isenhour QB 6-2 195 Fr. Newton,NC/Foard
Terrance Johnson WR/DB 5-9 175 Fr. Pinnacle,NC/W. Stokes
Spencer Kiziah WR 5-10 160 Fr. Newton,NC/Newton-Conover
Darrius Massey DB 5-8 165 So. Spencer,NC/N.Rowan/Winston-Salem St.
Dennis McFatten LB 6-2 195 Fr. Ocala,FL/Lake Weir
Alex Miller DB 5-10 185 Fr. Newton,NC/Foard
Richard Miller FB 6-1 235 Fr. Elon,NC/W.Alamance
Joseph Peterson DB 5-10 170 Fr. Chestertown,MD/Queen Anne’s Co.
Thomas Phillips FB/P 6-3 255 Fr. West Jefferson,NC/Ashe Co.
Nathan Smith DB 5-7 165 So. Winston-Salem,NC/Glenn/Forsyth Tech Full Story

Lancaster Back on Taylor Field

By: Rob Vanstone
The Leader-Post

For Bob Lancaster, the reminders are everywhere.

There is, for example, the gigantic photo of his legendary father. Ron Lancaster's image is displayed on the outer west side of Mosaic Stadium.

"You can't miss it," said Bob Lancaster, who does miss the city in which he grew up.

"I love Regina. I've always loved Saskatchewan. It's the old saying: You can take the kid out of Saskatchewan, but you can't take Saskatchewan out of the kid.''

Bob Lancaster, 40, is the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC, where he has spent the last 11 years. Lately, however, he is moonlighting as a guest coach at the Saskatchewan Roughriders' training camp.

"I was talking with one of the coaches, Joe Womack," Lancaster said in reference to the Roughriders' director of player personnel, who is also tutoring the team's safeties.

"He said, 'I remember being here as a rookie. The first touchdown pass thrown against me in the CFL was in that corner, and your dad threw it on me.' He said, 'Did you ever think when you were a snot-nosed kid running around here that some day you'd be coming back here to be a coach?'"

Womack was flashing back to a game in 1977, when he was a defensive back with the Calgary Stampeders. In the southwest corner of Taylor Field, he surrendered one of the 333 touchdown passes The Little General threw in 19 years as a CFL player.

Sixteen of those seasons were spent with the Roughriders. Upon retiring as a player, Ron Lancaster spent the 1979 and 1980 seasons as the team's head coach. Now, nearly 30 years later, there is another Coach Lancaster in camp.

Bob Lancaster has previously been a guest coach with the Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, back in the days when his famous father coached those teams. The youngest of No. 23's three children has also coached in NFL Europe and the American high school ranks.

Coaching-wise, this stop will be the briefest -- and among the most memorable.

"I'm really glad I came and did this," said a smiling Lancaster, whose wife (Kimberly) and five-year-old daughter (Alexus) are back in North Carolina.

Alexus graduates from kindergarten today. A proud father would love to witness the occasion, but how could he pass up this opportunity?

Upon returning to Saskatchewan for the first time in roughly 10 years, Bob was welcomed by his sister (Regina-based Lana Mueller) and her husband (Larry). One of the first stops was Emerald Park Road, where the Lancaster family lived for 20 years.

"I went there the first night I got back,'' Bob said. "There were all the feelings again. You look at the park and think of the hide-and-go-seek and the games of football -- the shinny games out in front of the house when it's minus-40. It's like I was in a time warp. There were feelings coming up all the time ... good feelings.''

The feelings can also be bittersweet.

It has not yet been a year since Ron Lancaster died suddenly at age 69. The sad news of Sept. 18 prompted a torrent of condolences and tributes, which were appreciated by Lancaster's wife (Bev) and children (Bob, Lana and Ron Jr.).

"We're doing pretty well," Bob said. "We're so spread out. We stay in touch on the phone. I probably talk to Lana a bit more than I did before. I talk to my mom every day. Before, I might have called once a week to see how she and Dad were doing. Now I call every day.

"It has probably brought us a little closer. It might sound corny, but you start to understand a little more about life. Everyone thinks their dad's invincible. It doesn't matter if your dad's a steel worker or a lawyer. You just think your dad's invincible."

He is far from invisible -- as Bob Lancaster discovered the other day when he happened to look at the west-side grandstand and saw his father's name on the facing.

"You're in the middle of practice, trying to watch practice, and you go off in your own mind for a second," he said. "It's pretty emotional -- more emotional than I thought it would be. I didn't really think any of those feelings would happen, coming to grips with what happened.

"It's a bit of a closure, I hope, that's happening for me." Full Story

Former QB Brad Roach Goes AFL2

Youngstown, OH. - The Mahoning Valley Thunder is pleased to announce that Quarterback Brad Roach (6'6, 250) has been assigned to the team by the af2 League Offices. Roach is an af2 rookie.

Roach takes the roster spot of Quarterback Blake Powers who has been placed on Injured Reserve.

A native of North Carolina, Roach played collegiately at Division II Catawba College. As a senior, Roach earned All-American honors and was also named the South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

During that 2007 campaign, Roach threw for 3,322 yards and 32 touchdowns. Brad left Catawba as the Indians' all-time passing yards average leader with 212.8 per game. Roach's 7,874 yards and 62 touchdown passes both rank second in school history.

Following his college career Roach signed a free agent contract with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens before being released in training camp. Earlier this month Roach participated in rookie minicamp with the CFL's Montreal Allouettes.

With starting Quarterback Davon Vinson less than 100%, Roach is expected to see significant playing time this week as the Thunder travel to Albany.

Thunder Head Coach Chris MacKeown said, "Brad has a really strong arm and the ability to make all the throws in the indoor game. He's a big guy who looks more like a Defensive End, guys like that give defensive lineman fits because if you can get to him, he's tough to bring down. Obviously being a rookie he is going to need some time to learn the game."

"But we feel like he has all the tools to make a quick transition and be a successful Quarterback sooner rather than later."

The Mahoning Valley Thunder's third season is under way! Don't miss your chance to feel all the hard-hitting, fast paced action of arena football! Tickets for this event are just $5 dollars and are on sale now! For more information call the Thunder Offices at 330.758.4232. Full Story