The North Carolina mountains are quite a scenic view during the fall. Whether it is by driving through its winding roads or simply taking in all of the sensational foliage and elevation the high country has to offer, I can't help but compare the SAC football season to these large and unforgiving mountains.


Steep climbs and frequent tumbles have been experienced by most of our league in 2015. Some of our teams have overcome early setbacks and are on their way towards the summit. On the contrary, a handful of teams once began this season on such positive notes, only to come up short in recent weeks and descend from their peak.


I will be absolutely honest and say I wrote off (3-3) Tusculum after their 1-1 start. The Pioneers experienced a rough patch with three straight losses to end September, but quarterback Luke Lancaster has began October with back to back wins against Brevard and Wingate respectively. The sophomore has amassed more than 1,800 passing yards and 17 touchdowns against only six interceptions. At this rate, Lancaster will be in the Harlon Hill conversation in the Southeast.



Lenoir-Rhyne is another team that I was hesitant to sing their praises of early on. (I am not exactly singing in the choir right now about Hickory's beloved Bears, but I have gargled and cleared my voice in preparation.) Four straight road games to start the season is not easy by any means, and that is what faced the (4-1) "running" Bears in September. An agonizing loss in the season's second week to North Greenville was followed by a 55-52 triple overtime victory over upstart Tusculum. A total of 98 points have been scored in their last two wins against a surprisingly rugged Limestone squad and Carson-Newman.


Let's not forget about Mars Hill and Catawba as of late either when viewing teams that may be peaking at the right time. Both teams have only experienced one SAC loss and rely heavily on their run game. Mars Hill has piled up four losses already, but only two are of the Division II variety. I doubt the (2-4) Lions can make the Division II playoffs based on their total Division II wins should they run the table, but they are certainly a real player in the race for the conference championship.


Catawba has won four of its last five contests by slimmer than expected margins. Wins come at a premium in this league, and teams should take them as they earn them. Wins against Carson-Newman and Newberry have put the (4-2) Catawba Indians in the conversation for a playoff push and SAC title should they win out.


Although Wingate only experienced their first loss of the season over the weekend against Tusculum, I have a feeling more losses are to follow the (5-1) Dawgs as the season moves forward. The Mount Everest-esque rushing offenses of Lenoir-Rhyne and Carson-Newman is on the horizon for everyone's favorite SAC coach Joe Reich. These offenses will seriously test the rush defense of Wingate, who surrendered nearly 200 yards to hot shot Pioneer running back Isaac Robinson.


The Wolves are another team that mirrored Wingate in terms of early season success. And also like Wingate, I envision Newberry suffering more losses in the upcoming weeks. Carson-Newman and Lenoir-Rhyne are two grueling road trips in the next three weeks. We will see how Newberry responds to the test after dropping surprising contests to Catawba and Mars Hill.


Week 7 Predictions


I am torn as to what my cumulative pick 'em record is at this point in the season. I know what you are thinking, "Tommy, can't you count?"


Yes. Yes I can. At least the last time I checked.


What has me split with two differing opinions on my overall record is Lenoir-Rhyne's 92-0 win over the University of Faith (FL). I am of the mindset that I should follow the procedures set in place by the NCAA earlier this year and not count the matchup.


On the other hand, I need wins any way I can get them, as I am a desperate man who does not want to experience double digit losses on the season.


There, I decided. Add another mythical win to the victory column! My 27-9 record is an oasis in a desert of SAC supremacy uncertainty.



(4-1) (2-0 SAC) #16 Lenoir-Rhyne: 35 (5-1) (2-1 SAC) Wingate: 14


The early part of the 2015 season for Wingate was downright magical. Wingate's rushing game was rich in yards and ball control, while their rush defense was beyond stout in terms of yards allowed. Every storybook beginning does not have a fairytale ending. In my opinion, the carriage is shortly about to turn into a pumpkin, and Cinderella has now misplaced her slippers.


The Bulldogs have allowed nearly 400 rushing yards in their past two contests, and this weekend's collision with Lenoir-Rhyne could yield 400 yards on the ground alone. The Bears lead Division II in rushing yards per game with over 433 yards. (Thank goodness the stats against Faith did not count, except in my pick 'em win column.)


(4-2) (2-1 SAC) Catawba: 28 (2-4) (1-1 SAC) Mars Hill: 24


Last year's lopsided victory over Catawba was one of Mars Hill's key victories in 2014. Running back Foluke Gordon-Lamar was given the nod as the Lion's top rusher. Most of his 221 rushing yards came by the end of the first half. Yes, Gordon-Lamar is back in 2015, but that is not who Catawba is necessarily worried about. The combination of Jamel Harbison and Shaikel Davis have reached over 800 ground yards and seven scores. As a matter of fact, new kids on the block this season, quarterback Austin Brown and wide out Keshaun Taylor, are arguably the conference's most lethal tandem with eight scoring connections.


Catawba averages less than 15 points per contest and is normally outgained by over 40 yards per outing. (Yet, the Indians are 4-2.) Most of Catawba's games this season have been on terrible field conditions, so perhaps a dry field is just what the meteorologist will call for this Saturday in Salisbury, NC. Although Catawba lost their first two home games this season, I am predicting a two game winning streak at Shuford Stadium.


(3-3) (2-2 SAC) Tusculum: 33 (4-2) (0-0 IND) North Greenville: 30


Trying to breakdown North Greenville's tendencies and chances for winning against SAC competition week in and week out can make you pull your hair out. Fortunately for me my hair is abundantly short in length and I am unable to start the pulling process. Impressive wins against Lenoir-Rhyne and Mars Hill make you confident in picking against our league, while a resounding and head scratching 31-6 loss to Newberry makes me second guess that confidence!


I really do believe Tusculum has turned the corner for the 2015 season, and they understand how that a non-conference loss this week can very much ruin their momentum for a SAC title push. Dare I say the Pioneers will show balance again this week with Lancaster's arm and Robinson's legs? You better believe it.


(4-2) (2-2 SAC) Carson-Newman: 38 (3-3) (1-2 SAC) Newberry: 22


Who would have predicted that this contest during the summer months would have been a game to see who is tapering off in our conference and who is not? Both teams understand that the league title is very much up for grabs to many teams in the SAC, and not just limited to Carson-Newman, Lenoir-Rhyne, and Newberry.


The Eagles are feeling good after a sold 45-14 win over Brevard at home last week. Noah Suber looked great running the veer, as he shared time with All-SAC quarterback De'Andre Thomas. Four different Carson-Newman players rushed for touchdowns en route to over 400 rushing yards. Ten penalties was a definitely a downside for Coach Ken Sparks' team, should anyone want to point out any negatives from the game.


Newberry looked a bit flat against Mars Hill last Saturday. Their 17-14 defeat at the hand of Mars Hill looked identical to their 17-13 loss to Catawba during the week prior. Running back Romelo Doctor had a normal day at the medical office, accumulating 150 yards, while his fellow rusher Kevin Miller tallied two touchdowns. What is absolutely wrecking the Wolves offense is the lack of any vertical passing game. No longer are the likes of tall receivers Corey Washington and Brandon Bostick in Newberry uniforms, as they moved on to professional careers shortly after college.


(1-4) (0-0 IND) Limestone: 20 (0-6) (0-3 SAC) Brevard: 17


Limestone has squared up most every SAC opponent this fall and have given them their best shot. Although the Saints have yet to defeat one of our league's members as of yet, any SAC coach who has played against Limestone has only complimented their feisty defense. Quarterback Bo Whitney's larger than life frame (6'5 250) was not the Saint's recipe for a possible upset against Catawba on Saturday night. Gaffney High School's stadium had standing water and mud on much of its field. Matthew Harkness's scrambling ability was the right ingredient to keep things interesting against the Tribe. In fact, if Catawba's Mark McDaniel did not intercept three passes against the Saints, Limestone could have pulled off the upset.


A winless Brevard team, who is reeling to piece together an offense similar to last year's success is an ideal opponent for Limestone to earn their stripes against our conference's worst team. The Saints have a defensive front that will not hesitate the stack the box against Brevard, who has only thrown for a little over 200 yards all season.