Green grass, tied scoreboards, and unassailable optimism endlessly describe preseason college football. You as an avid fan need your fix this time of year, especially your appetite for South Atlantic Conference football. Go to your local drug store to find Lindy's and Sporting News magazines, only to see a small blurb about Division II football in the very back. I know what you're thinking, who is going to fill me in on the latest in week to week action across the SAC?

Have no fear. That's where I come in. Tommy Readling at your service.

Sure I may work in the Cabarrus County Tax Assessor's office by day, but by night, I am comparing recruiting classes and returning lettermen for every SAC institution. Of course the measuring stick I use is my beloved Catawba College Indians.

There's no use in hiding my allegiance and loyalty to the football program. The last home football game I missed was the 2000 playoff game against West Georgia. (My mom said my brother and I were too young to be at the game by ourselves. Of course I tell people I was sick that day.)

As you may have guessed, I was quite jubilant to hear that the 2016 SAC Football Preseason Poll tapped Catawba as favorites to take the conference crown. Most of the Indians' off-season buzz has been filled with the return of junior Kyle Kitchens at linebacker, and deservedly so. He racked up a dozen sacks and walked away with the league defensive MVP honors. Senior Mike Sheehan is also back at quarterback with an experienced offensive line that surprisingly produced zero preseason all-league players. Time will tell if any of those young men will be on the postseason list.

Carson-Newman and Newberry, the other two SAC teams that joined Catawba in the 2015 NCAA Division II playoffs, are looking to climb the ladder for conference supremacy. Ken Sparks returns as CEO of the Carson-Newman program for the 37th season. Although the Eagles led the country with 59 rushing touchdowns, it is never easy to fill voids at quarterback and running back. Last season, the departed duo QB De'Andre Thomas and RB Damian Baker combined for over 2,000 ground yards and nearly 30 of the team's 59 scores via the rush. Four players from a defensive unit that surrendered nearly 34 PPG were picked as first teamers on the Preseason All-SAC list, not a normal trend in recent memory.

The Newberry Wolves return both of their weapons at signal-caller and running back in Raleigh Yeldell and Romelo Doctor. Both are First Team Preseason All-SAC and instrumental to the team's success this season. Doctor can join former Newberry linebacker Ed Robinson from a couple of seasons prior as another player drafted into the NFL in next May's draft. Coach Todd Knight's team finished only second to Carson-Newman in total yards of offense with over 4,700 yards. This is remarkable as Yeldell was sidlined numerous games with an early season injury and receiver Braxton Ivery took interim command of the offense.

Is there a dark horse in the running for the 2016 crown?

Catawba was the coaches fourth choice last year and won the league outright. Who is the fourth team this season? If you said Wingate or Lenoir-Rhyne, you would be mistaken. Mars Hill and their electrifying pair of receivers KeShaun Taylor and Gilbert Johnson have better plans than playing spoiler in 2016. There is no question that the Lions would medal in the Division II Olympics in track and field relay events, their team speed is a sight to behold. But so is their play on the gridiron. Taylor led the league with close to 1,200 receiving yards, while Johnson and his 6'6 frame led the conference in over over 19 yards per grab.

Who will get them the ball is also a topic of discussion.

David Salmon transferred to Mars Hill from Campbell and is a great pocket passer. Returning quarterback Austin Brown played in six games and threw for 465 yards, not to mention reaching the century mark on the ground against Carson-Newman in a losing effort.

Wingate is next in line at the fifth spot by the SAC coaches. Coach Joe Reich returns arguably one of the most explosive and experienced offenses in the university's history. Kyle Johnson is ready to engineer a strong passing game with pass catchers Jordan Berry and Jake Jensen in his sights. The Bulldogs are certainly not top heavy in how they conduct their offense. Running back Lawrence Pittman recorded an epic 1,227 yards during his sophomore season. It will be a tall task to match that total again in 2016, knowing good and well teams will overload the box trying to contain the talented back.

I am torn at the sleeve about seeing Lenoir-Rhyne as the sixth ranked team in our league. How is it possible that a team competing for the national championship a few years prior is fighting to avoid living in the conference crawl space. New faces are in Hickory accompanied with a new offense. Gone is the option run and their nation's leading ground game from 2015. Gone is Coach Mike Houston and a number of his assistants. The Bear offense under new coach Mike Kellar will certainly resemble a more traditional offense. Kellar had tremendous success at California University-Pennsylvania for over a decade as a coordinator and skipper, and was a home run hire by Lenoir-Rhyne in my book. His son Jarrod is a transfer quarterback from California and was a legendary West Virginia high school quarterback. A strong defense featuring secondary striker Marcus Kincaid will help ease the offense's transition.

Another coaching change within our league took place after Frankie DeBusk left Tusculum College after the conclusion of the 2015 season. Former Jacksonville University associate head coach Jerry Odom is now at the helm of a Pioneer program that has been spiraling downward since QB Bo Cordell's final season in 2013. Tusculum finished 4-7 last fall, and only a 2-5 showing in SAC play. Luke Lancaster is a capable thrower, but often times throws forced passes that lead to interceptions. Junior running back Isaac Robinson has been around the block for a number of years and was selected as a first team preseason all-conference selection. L'Keith Brown was sensational as a rookie in 2014 and continued his success last year with 83 tackles.

On a side note about Tusculum's athletic administration, I learned last week that assistant athletic director Dom Donnelly was stepping down from his post. Donnelly is a pure class-act and I witnessed that first-hand while visiting Tusculum for football games in 2004 and 2007. Although both visits ended in Catawba losses on those forgettable Saturdays, I will never forget how inviting the staff and students were to the Indian supporters. Donnelly showed us around the press box, from the president's box to the media center. It was a great 17 years Dom, you will be impossible to replace.

The final stanza of Brevard's stay in the SAC is officially underway. Offensive lineman Branden Dagley was one of only two all-league selections heading into the fall. Coach Paul Hamilton understands football is not only an X's and O's game, but having a healthy depth chart of players to execute his gameplan is equally as important. This program will be highly successful in Division III come the 2017 season, but their current situation could mirror the last three year's win-loss column. Only two wins have been experienced by the members of the Tornado senior class, compiling a 2-31 record since 2013. Sophomore Tyler Gregory showed a lot of guts behind center, accounting for over 600 yards and nine scores.


Week 1 - 2016 SAC Football Schedule


#14 Humboldt State at Carson-Newman
Thursday, September 1st. 1:30 PM
Jefferson City, TN

Humboldt State: 49 Carson-Newman: 46
The Scoop: HSU's running back Ja'Quan Gardner was runner-up for the coveted Harlon Hill Trophy and will start of the 2016 season with a monster game. Early miscues by potential starter Noah Suber at QB for Carson-Newman is costly against the GNAC conference favorites.


East Stroudsburg at Brevard
Thursday, September 1st. 5:45 PM
Brevard, NC

East Stroudsburg: 62 Brevard: 14
The Scoop: This is the first meeting between the two schools and only the third North Carolina college football team ESU has ever played. Warrior coach Denny Douds is the PSAC's version of Ken Sparks. He has been their head coach for 43 years and is currently finding a replacement for QB Matt Soltes, who finished in the top 5 of the 2015 Harlon Hill Trophy voting. Running back Robert Healy does return for ESU and was the only NCAA player to record at least 750 yards rushing and receiving last season.


Virginia-Wise at Tusculum
Thursday, September 1st. 6:00 PM
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum: 38 Virginia-Wise: 3
The Scoop: The Cavaliers went 1-10 in 2015, including a 47-28 loss in their opener to Tusculum. Probable QB Brycen Lee transferred to UVA-Wise after a brief stay at Eastern Kentucky University, and could be errant early on with a new group of receivers. Lancaster and Robinson will elevate Jerry Odom to his inaguaral Pioneer victory and 500 yards of offense.


Mars Hill at Samford
Thursday, September 1st. 7:00 PM
Birmingham, AL

Samford: 34 Mars Hill: 32
The Scoop: High praise is in order for the lofty scheduling from Mars Hill's program. Last season, road games at Western Carolina and Chattanooga were tough tests. This season is no different as Mars Hill visits a 6-5 SoCon opponent from last year that is aware of the Lion's superior receiver play in Taylor and Johnson.


Johnson C. Smith at Wingate
Saturday, September 3rd. 1:30 PM
Wingate, NC

Wingate: 27 Johnson C. Smith: 0
The Scoop: In last year's early games, Wingate's defense was not too fond of allowing points. This trend continues into the start of 2016. Johnson will provide leadership at signal-caller while Pittman goes for over 150 rushing yards in an easy victory.


Virginia State at Lenoir-Rhyne
Saturday, September 3rd. 2:00 PM
Hickory, NC

Lenoir-Rhyne: 33 Virginia State: 10
The Scoop: Both schools are ushering in new coaches to begin the 2016 campaign. The Bears still have a roster stocked full of talent on defense and test their new vertical capabilites on offense. Keep an eye on VSU senior linebacker George Feggins, an All-CIAA pick, and his ability to disrupt the tempo early on. Too much Bears, however, and too little time for the Trojans.


Catawba at #2 West Georgia
Saturday, September 3rd. 2:00 PM
Carrollton, GA

West Georgia: 28 Catawba: 14
The Scoop: A flood of transfers entered the West Georgia program this off-season, helping offset the loss of QB Dallas Dickey. Former Louisville starter Will Gardner will be the leader of the Wolve's offense. Catawba can get relentless pressure with their front seven and early turnovers could reverse the predicted score. Coach Will Hall has his team in the driver's seat for another championship run.


Florida Tech at Newberry
Saturday, September 3rd. 6:00 PM
Newberry, SC

Newberry: 34 Florida Tech: 28
The Scoop: One of the best Division II games in all of last season was the nail-biting 31-28 Newberry victory over Florida Tech. The Panthers were picked to finish third in a wild GSC league and will be led by All-American tight end Kenny Johnston. Home-field advantage under the lights at Setzler Field will be important if the Wolves want to get off on the right foot.