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D2Football.com Columnists South Atlantic Conference

South Atlantic Conference

November 3rd, 2009

Anything can happen in the South Atlantic Conference.

Pretend this question was posed a week before the 2009 season started.

Which of the following statements is true of Week Ten?

A. Carson-Newman running back Buck Wakefield had 303 yards rushing in a 45-7 blowout win over Wingate. It gives C-N the conference crown after an 0-2 start.

B. The once last place Tusculum Pioneers beat Mars Hill 38-28. Lion tailback Jonas Randolph runs for 260 yards.

C. Brevard beats Catawba 7-6 on a blocked punt returned for a score.

D. Lenoir-Rhyne held an eighteen point lead in the second quarter only to fall to Newberry by three. It was the Bears' fifth loss by seven points or less.

E. All of the above.

And to think all of that happened in one week.

By the way, the answer is E.

Regional Rankings for Week Eleven

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

Carson-Newman can join North Alabama, UNC-Pembroke, and Albany State in the playoffs. The other two spots are up for grabs between Mars Hill, Arkansas Tech, and the two SIAC schools Morehouse and Benedict.

For Wingate to have a chance to earn a berth, they must beat Mars Hill while both SIAC teams take losses. Not a good outlook for the Bulldogs after being dominated by Carson-Newman last week.

Recapping Week Ten

Carson-Newman: 45 Wingate: 7
Predicted Score: Carson-Newman: 35 Wingate: 14

Carson-Newman jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead on an Alex Good 53 yard pass to Charles Dobson. The Eagles controlled the game thereafter with running back Buck Wakefield tallying 303 yards on the ground, which broke a school record. Wingate was gashed for 496 yards on the ground in a game that was decided in the second quarter. The last four minutes of the first half were disastrous for the Bulldogs. First, Wakefield breaks free for a 68-yard touchdown run. Next, Wingate punts after a drive stalls only to see Good throw a 56-yard touchdown pass to Dobson. Then, Wingate return man Bobby Seidof fumbled a kickoff return that led to an easy scoring drive for C-N. Carson-Newman secured the South Atlantic Conference crown with the easy win.

Tusculum: 38 Mars Hill: 28
Predicted Score: Mars Hill: 42 Tusculum: 31

Mars Hill got everything it could out of tailback Jonas Randolph. Another monster day for the super sophomore as he ran for 260 yards and four scores on 38 carries. The Lions' offensive woes came in the passing game, and it just happened to be against the SAC's best passing offense. Mars Hill quarterback Luis Cruz threw three interceptions to ruin first half drives while they trailed the Pioneers. TC had its usual ups and downs with freshman quarterback Bo Cordell throwing for 366 yards and four scores, but also with two interceptions and five sacks. The Lion quarterbacks combined for 9 completions on 33 attempts.

Newberry: 24 Lenoir-Rhyne: 21
Predicted Score: Newberry: 28 Lenoir-Rhyne: 17

This game really is a microcosm of Lenoir-Rhyne's 2009 season. It is really not far-fetched to say that the Bears were a couple of plays away from being the champions of this league. The Bears held a 21-3 lead at home in the second quarter. Newberry had a great day from running back Gerald Legree as he ran for 153 yards on 22 carries along with a score. The Scarlet and Gray passing game was hampered by the weather, which makes the victory that much more interesting. Lenoir-Rhyne's option attack with quarterbacks Justin Sanders and Major Herron, and running backs Byron Darby and James Pone played well enough to win. Newberry keeps the Bishops Trophy for the fourth straight season.

Brevard: 7 Catawba: 6
Predicted Score: Catawba: 38 Brevard: 17

Brevard earned a major victory over a reeling Catawba team by way of a special teams play. The Tribe was holding onto a 6-0 with roughly five minutes remaining in the contest when several Tornados blocked a Colby McCanna punt. Junior defensive lineman Richard Ray ran the loose ball for 12 yards to give Brevard a 7-6 lead that the Indians could not overcome. The field conditions were atrocious and so were the statistics. Catawba lost two fumbles and threw an interception. Brevard gained only 88 yards of offense and was 1-3 for 7 yards passing.

Week Eleven Previews

It seems that I cannot avoid splitting the games each week in conference play. Once more, another 2-2 performance now has my overall record at 35-16 overall and 14-10 in conference.

Tusculum (3-6, 2-4) at #9 Carson-Newman (8-2, 6-0), 1:00 PM ET
Forecast at Kickoff: 64 degrees, sunny, 4 MPH wind, and 0% chance of precipitation.
Point Spread: Carson-Newman (-21)

The South Atlantic Conference has two teams playing better than anyone else right now.

They will face off at Burke-Tarr stadium this Saturday.

Tusculum has won two in a row after being beat by Catawba. Carson-Newman has strung along eight straight wins since their difficult non-conference games.

Obviously, very different offensive philosophies will be on display at Mossy Creek on Saturday afternoon with the Eagles' split back veer option going up against Tusculum's spread passing attack.

Although Tusculum had a huge win last week against regionally ranked Mars Hill, they are still very vulnerable against the run. Mars Hill's Jonas Randolph was able to run for 260 yards on a Pioneer run defense that gives up 231 yards a contest.

Carson-Newman will easily have 300 yards rushing on this defense. Buck Wakefield continues to impress after his injury comeback.

Can Tusculum protect freshman quarterback Bo Cordell well enough early for him to gain confidence throughout the game? If the Pioneers give up five sacks this week - this game is a blowout.

Carson-Newman is playing with a sense of fearlessness and desperation to make up for a bad start to the year.

Carson-Newman has the conference crown locked up for 2009, yet the Eagles feel like they have so much left to prove.

Lots of points in this rivalry game.

Carson-Newman: 52 Tusculum: 28

Wingate (6-3, 4-2) at Mars Hill (6-3, 4-2), 1:30 PM ET
Forecast at Kickoff: 61 degrees, sunny, 6 MPH wind, and 0% chance of precipitation.
Point Spread: Mars Hill (-3)

It would be a better story line if this game had the dynamic of the winner going to the playoffs and the loser staying at home.

Instead, it appears that only Mars Hill can be that second SAC team in the postseason after Carson-Newman.

Being ninth place puts Wingate in a bad spot after the Bulldogs dropped their game to Carson-Newman. Morehouse and Benedict would be difficult to jump at this point.

All Mars Hill has to do is win this game and they will be in the postseason. After the dreadful passing display last week against Tusculum, one can only imagine that the air attack will improve.

Is it even possible for Lion tailback Jonas Randolph to improve? He has a realistic chance to set the conference's single season rushing mark in a season.

Wingate's ground game never got going against a terrific run defense of Carson-Newman. Running backs Vince Jordan and Nelson Woods need to give the Bulldogs over 200 yards rushing for them to have a chance.

Wingate's passing game is much more reliable than the Lions at this point in the season. Quarterback Cody Haffly did everything within his power to keep the Bulldogs in the game against C-N. He takes care of the ball and eludes pressure nicely.

Although WU's offense can hit you with the pass and the run, the Mars Hill running game is too much for Wingate to stop. Add in the motivation of what is at stake for the Lions, plus the fact that they are at home gives Mars Hill the edge in this one.

Mars Hill: 27 Wingate: 21

Brevard (7-3, 3-3) at Newberry (5-4, 3-3), 7:00 PM ET
Forecast at Kickoff: 52 degrees, sunny, 6 MPH wind, and 0% chance of precipitation.
Point Spread: Newberry (-14.5)

Who would have ever imagined Brevard boasting a 3-3 conference record and a 7-3 overall record into the last week of the regular season?

The Tornados are coming off of a big win at home in the mud to Catawba in which they blocked a punt and returned it for the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter.

Newberry comes into the final week of conference play fresh off of a come-from-behind win at Lenoir-Rhyne.

Newberry should not have a problem in this matchup. Motivation will definitely not be a problem for Brevard. The Tornados are playing for an unbelievable eight win season and a winning record in conference play.

Newberry is not playing for a whole lot other than pride. Senior quarterback Brandon Gantt was the leading candidate for conference offensive player of the year until some close setbacks closed the door on that opportunity.

The passing game of Newberry was not able to take off in the weather last week. The conditions will be terrific for Gantt to find big targets Brandon Bostick, Kelton Tindal, and all of the Davids.

Brevard's Michael Crumbaker's thumb condition is worrisome. He wore a protective garment on the thumb against Catawba last week. Newberry's rush defense will seal off the BC option attack. Newberry's defense kept Lenoir-Rhyne off of the scoreboard in the second half to notch the win. L-R only mustered four yards of offense in the third quarter.

Too much speed for Newberry at home with great senior offensive weapons.

Newberry: 34 Brevard: 21

Lenoir-Rhyne (4-6, 1-5) at Catawba (4-5, 1-5), 1:30 PM ET
Forecast at Kickoff: 61 degrees, sunny, 6 MPH wind, and 0% chance of precipitation.
Point Spread: Lenoir-Rhyne (-6)

While Catawba and Lenoir-Rhyne have similar records, they have not had similar seasons.

The Bears have lost five games by seven points or less while Catawba was blasted at home by Wingate and Newberry.

Catawba's defense put up great statistics against Brevard, but the weather was a major factor in that.

Lenoir-Rhyne's option attack may give Catawba some problems early on with quarterbacks Justin Sanders and Major Herron running the show. The Indian defense will be tested by the Bears' physical offensive line.

Catawba's offense will be in the hands of junior quarterback Pat Dennis. The running game for Catawba has been lacking all season, and this is game where not having one is going to hurt. With an early score or two, the ball control Bearbone offense will pressure Catawba to throw more than it wants.

Byron Darby has been on a tear lately and I do not see that changing.

This one is a real toss up. It is senior day at Shuford Stadium with this game coming after two previous blowout home losses.

Can Catawba really lose three in a row at Shuford Stadium?

Catawba: 20 Lenoir-Rhyne: 17

 

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