August 23rd, 2025 12:00am
One of the big storylines going into the 2024 SAC football season was about three quarters of the programs in the conference had new head coaches. Only one change took place this year, but the story heading into the South Atlantic Conference's 50th season of competition is about new faces replacing big name players that made waves across the league and overall landscape. Gone are the defending and two-time offensive and defensive players of the year (Dustin Noller and Marquise Fleming), amongst many others via the transfer portal; the league (Major Williams of Carson-Newman); or graduation and becoming a "grown-up". In fact, 18 members of the 1st team All-SAC team from 2024 are gone!
The one coaching change this offseason was a late one, with long time Mars Hill head man Tim Clifton announcing his retirement about two weeks ago. Clifton, who led the Lions since 1993, is the winningest coach in program history and ranks second in the South Atlantic Conference in both overall wins and conference wins. His 49-year coaching career has been defined not only by on-field success but by his unwavering commitment to developing young men of character and fostering a family-centered culture within the program. He coached more than 20 All-American players at Mars Hill and more than 100 All-Conference players. Six of his former players went on to compete in the NFL, and he coached Jonas Randolph, winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy. Randolph remains the only Harlon Hill Trophy winner in South Atlantic Conference history.
The conference will also look a little bit different this fall, going into its 50th season:
-The Mountain and Piedmont divisions are no more, and there is no longer a conference championship game.
-Barton has departed the SAC, as the Bulldogs’ time as a SAC affiliate member ended with them moving football back to Conference Carolinas now that the league would begin sponsoring football as a conference sport for the first time in a long time. Joining the Bulldogs will be Erskine, Chowan, North Greenville, Shorter, UNC Pembroke, and Ferrum (transitioning from D3). Conference Carolinas will be one of the four conferences making up the slightly revised Super Region 2, along with the SAC, the Gulf South, and the SIAC. The CIAA has moved back to Super Region 1, where they were from 2008-2016.
-Limestone sadly announced that it would close at the end of the Spring 2025 semester after major financial issues. After struggling for most of their existence (17-59 from 2014-2021), the Saints turned things around the final three years, going 24-11 and making two D2 playoff appearances.
-So, as of today, the SAC stands at 10 football schools, and no whispers of potential expansion in the future. Though you never know in todays current college sports world!
Team Previews in order of the 2025 SAC Coaches Poll:
10. Tusculum Pioneers
Head Coach: Billy Taylor (2nd Year at Tusculum)
Five Year Trend:
2024 | 1-9, 1-7 |
2023 | 6-5, 6-2 (Lost in SAC Championship) |
2022 | 8-3, 6-3 |
2021 | 5-6, 3-5 |
2021 Spring | 4-1, 2-0 (Won SAC Spring Championship) |
Schedule
8/30 | At Bluefield State (CIAA) |
9/6 | Lenoir-Rhyne |
9/13 | At Anderson |
9/20 | Emory & Henry |
9/27 | At UVA Wise |
10/11 | Newberry |
10/25 | At Catawba |
11/1 | Mars Hill |
11/8 | Wingate |
11/15 | At Carson-Newman |
SAC Players to Watch: Reginald Hunter (TE), Solomon Maosa (DL), DJ Dailey (DB), Tre Mobley (DB), Gabe McLamb (OL), Ashton Hagans (WR)
Biggest question mark for me: Who fills in and replaces guys who are no longer there?
Matthew Palazzo and Kamden Wellington gone at quarterback; Leading rushers JoJo Restall and Jalen Hunt gone at running back; Reginald Hunter at tight end is leading returning pass catcher as Kemani Brown, Zaron Collins, and Corey Moraux are also departed. The players I’m excited to see step up are running back Otasowie Dion and linebacker Rashad Watson. Watson anchored the defense last year and will be expected to step up even more so in 2025 if the Pioneers are going to make a year 2 leap.
9 UVA Wise Cavaliers
Head Coach: Gary Bass (2nd season at UVA Wise)
Five Year Trend:
2024 | 4-6, 2-5 |
2023 | 2-9, 1-7 |
2022 | 2-9, 1-8 |
2021 | 5-6, 4-4 |
2021 Spring | 1-2, 1-2 |
Schedule
8/30 | Concord (MEC) |
9/6 | Newberry |
9/13 | At Catawba |
9/20 | Wingate |
9/27 | Tusculum |
10/4 | At Anderson |
10/11 | South Carolina Central Christian (N/A) |
10/18 | At Lenoir-Rhyne |
10/25 | At Carson-Newman |
11/8 | At Mars Hill |
11/15 | Emory & Henry |
SAC Players to Watch: Ian Scammell (RB), Seth Fischbach (WR), Jake Corkren (QB), Kenneth Long (DL), Brub Hines (LB), Dacorian Jones-Montgomery (LB)
Biggest question mark for me: Can this team get better and get more consistent?
Gary Bass’ crew took a step forward in 2024, winning as many games as they had the previous two seasons. They still had some tough losses, but they also didn’t just lay down and quit like Cavalier teams in the past did. The challenges for 2025 are not just more consistency out of an offense that averaged 18 points a game, but getting more out of a defense that gave up 40 points per game in their losses. Besides the players listed above, I think DJ Powell is someone to watch on offense in the passing game to make up for losing Darien Goddard and take pressure off Fischbach.
8. Anderson Trojans
Head Coach: Bobby Lamb (2nd season at Anderson)
Five Year Trend:
2024 | 3-8, 1-7 |
2023 | Did Not Play |
2022 | Did Not Play |
2021 | Did Not Play |
2021 Spring | Did Not Play |
Schedule
8/30 | At Shorter (CC) |
9/6 | Erskine (CC) |
9/13 | Tusculum |
9/20 | At Mars Hill |
9/27 | At Emory & Henry |
10/4 | UVA Wise |
10/11 | At Lenoir-Rhyne |
10/18 | Carson-Newman |
10/25 | Wingate |
11/1 | Newberry |
11/8 | At Catawba |
SAC Players to Watch: Tyler Wesley (QB), Jalon Warthen-Carr (WR), Kam Burris (OL), Jerrod Woods (LB), Carter Wit (DB), Colton Smith (DL)
Biggest question mark for me: Can they take a year 2 leap?
Not too shabby of a first year between the lines for Coach Lamb and the Trojans, and I think 2025 may bring even more excitement. They played well in a lot of games. Lots of returning firepower on offense but still need growth: Wesley returns under center, with the top 3 rushers returning as well (James, Campbell and Seay Jr.). Top five pass catchers all return for Bobby Lamb as well, but Kenneth Brown (30-518-4) and Jalon Warther-Carr (44-648-5) leading the way. Both leading tacklers return, along with much of the 2024 defense. Expect the Trojans to take a step forward this year and possibly crack the top 5 if the wind blows the right way
7. Newberry Wolves
Head Coach: Todd Knight (17th season at Newberry)
Five Year Trend:
2024 | 3-7, 3-4 |
2023 | 4-7, 3-5 |
2022 | 9-2, 7-2 (Won SAC Championship) |
2021 | 10-3, 7-1 (Won SAC Championship; Lost in 2nd Round) |
2021 Spring | 5-1, 3-1 |
Schedule
9/6 | At UVA Wise |
9/13 | Point (NAIA) |
9/20 | Catawba |
9/27 | At Lenoir-Rhyne |
10/4 | Wingate |
10/11 | At Tusculum |
10/18 | Mars Hill |
10/25 | Emory & Henry |
11/1 | At Anderson |
11/8 | Carson-Newman |
SAC Players to Watch: Dwayne Wright (RB), Keith Desaussure (WR), DeAndre Coleman (WR), Devron Williams (LB), Jalen Stradford (OLB), Jaydon Eason (NG)
Biggest question mark for me: Who leads the offense?
When Newberry is good and challenging for SAC titles, they have solid quarterback play. Raleigh Yeldell used to give people nightmares, Dre Harris too. Coach Knight has some guys back but who is going to take that step and be “the dude”? Izayah Whiteside and Reed Charpia had some moments last year but if the Wolves want to be back in the upper echelon, they need that to be solved in a hurry. My other guy to watch for a bounce back is Traykell Murray (and Quez Spells) to form an under the radar solid run game along with Dwayne Wright.
6. Catawba Indians
Head Coach: Tyler Haines (3rd season at Catawba)
Five Year Trend:
2024 | 3-8, 1-7 |
2023 | 5-6, 2-6 |
2022 | 1-10, 0-9 |
2021 | 5-4, 2-6 (Two forfeits counted as losses here) |
2021 Spring | 0-2, 0-2 |
Schedule
8/30 | Ferrum (CC) |
9/6 | At Emory & Henry |
9/13 | UVA Wise |
9/20 | At Newberry |
9/27 | Southern Connecticut (NE10) |
10/4 | Mars Hill |
10/11 | At Wingate |
10/25 | Tusculum |
11/1 | At Carson-Newman |
11/8 | Anderson |
11/15 | At Lenoir-Rhyne |
SAC Players to Watch: Bo Pryor (WR), Preston Brown (QB), Evan Simons (DB), Dallas Foard (OL), Avery Swinton (OL), Kevin Lalin (RB)
Biggest question mark for me: Can the defense match the solid offense (when they are healthy)?
Catawba’s offense was unbelievable last season, even when guys kept going down (Brown, Pryor, etc). But as good as the offense was, the defense struggled to make stops which put even more pressure on the other side of the ball. Catawba’s offense will be one of the best in the SAC if they remain healthy (Lalin, Quece Williams to name a few other beast), but if Catawba is to finish in the top five, Coach Haines is going to need his defense to improve drastically.
5. Mars Hill Lions
Head Coach: Kevin Barnette (1st year as HC, 32nd season at Mars Hill)
Five Year Trend:
2024 | 5-4, 5-2 |
2023 | 8-2, 6-2 |
2022 | 7-3, 7-2 (Lost in SAC Championship) |
2021 | 8-3, 6-2 |
2021 Spring | 1-2, 1-2 |
Schedule
9/6 | Winston-Salem State (CIAA) |
9/13 | Carson-Newman |
9/20 | Anderson |
9/27 | Mary Hardin-Baylor (Division 3) |
10/4 | At Catawba |
10/11 | Emory & Henry |
10/18 | At Newberry |
10/25 | Lenoir-Rhyne |
11/1 | At Tusculum |
11/8 | UVA Wise |
11/15 | At Wingate |
SAC Players to Watch: JR Martin (QB), Jon Gullette (RB), Caleb Lominac (TE), Sakarri Morrison (DE), Isaac Weaver (LB), Cherron Holt (DB)
Biggest question mark for me: Will Tim Clifton’s sudden retirement have any effect on the field?
Last year when Coach Newsome retired from Emory & Henry right before the season, I was curious if it would influence the on field performance, in a negative way. It didn’t, so will it stay the same for the Lions? There is plenty of talent to contend for a SAC title and get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2011, especially when JR Martin is involved. I think losing all time MHU great Tristan Rankin and Dexter Fitzpatrick on defense are big losses though, so I have some concern there for MHU. I also believe Malik Laurent and the safety net of Beau DeBerry are going to be tough to overcome.
4. Emory & Henry Wasps
Head Coach: Quintin Hunter (2nd season as HC, 9th overall season at Emory & Henry)
Five Year Trend:
2024 | 9-2, 6-2 |
2023 | 5-6, 3-5 |
2022 | 5-6, 4-5 |
2021 | 6-4 (Provisional D2 Member, was Independent) |
2021 Spring | 3-1, 3-0 (Lost in ODAC Championship) (Division 3) |
Schedule
8/30 | At Glenville State (MEC) |
9/6 | Catawba |
9/13 | At Lenoir-Rhyne |
9/20 | At Tusculum |
9/27 | Anderson |
10/4 | Carson-Newman |
10/11 | At Mars Hill |
10/18 | Wingate |
10/25 | At Newberry |
11/8 | Shaw (CIAA) |
11/15 | At UVA Wise |
SAC Players to Watch: Shawn Collins (DB), Cam Peoples (WR), Ean Rhea (DL), Jordan Jackson (RB), Jarrell Harrison (DB), Deshaun Sharp (OL)
Biggest question mark for me: Can the Wasps repeat their success from 2024?
The pieces are there, but they aren’t at the same time. Coach Hunter’s team would do just enough on offense, but the defense was the machine. And while there are some big-time pieces coming back on both sides of the ball, there are some massive holes to fill with Cam Abshire, Addison Knicley, Kaleb Lundy, Jacob Robinson, Elijah Harper, and Andre Crawley all gone. Also curious to see who is under center. Both Mutter III and Lambert played significant snaps last year, and it's nice to have guys like Peoples and Jackson to get the rock to. I lean more towards the Wasps finishing in the top 5 than not.
3. Carson-Newman Eagles
Head Coach: Ashley Ingram (2nd season at Carson-Newman)
Five Year Trend:
2024 | 9-3, 7-1 (Lost in SAC Championship; Lost in 1st Round) |
2023 | 5-6, 4-4 |
2022 | 6-5, 5-4 |
2021 | 1-9, 1-7 |
2021 Spring | 1-0, 1-0 |
Schedule
8/30 | West Virginia State (MEC) |
9/4 | South Carolina Central Christian (N/A) |
9/13 | At Mars Hill |
9/20 | Lenoir-Rhyne |
9/27 | At Wingate |
10/4 | At Emory & Henry |
10/18 | At Anderson |
10/25 | UVA Wise |
11/1 | Catawba |
11/8 | At Newberry |
11/15 | Tusculum |
SAC Players to Watch: Mekhi Brown (LB), Martavis Mason (DL), Champ Baker (DB), Cruz Temple (LB), Grayson Campbell (P), Jeremiah Carroll (WR), Jayden Sullins (RB)
Biggest question mark for me: Does a healthy quarterback make the difference and another year of expierence in the option?
Let’s be honest, 2021-2023 by Carson-Newman’s historic standards stunk. The Eagles under Coach Ingram last year made huge strides and reached the SAC title game, which was a surprise to some. The Eagles have a ton of returning talent and are poised to try to bring home their first SAC title since 2009. Last year they found ways to win games in some crazy ways, and did so while using five different quarterbacks. And while there is plenty of talent in that room, if the Eagles want to have a more success in 2025, I think that is where the questions start. The guy who was supposed to be 1.1 (Teddy Gleaton) played less than 15 snaps last year before suffering a season ending injury. Of course I could be wrong and that be the new recipe for success LOL.
2. Wingate Bulldogs
Head Coach: Rashaan Jordan (2nd season as head coach, 20th season at Wingate)
Five Year Trend:
2024 | 9-2, 6-1 (Won SAC Championship; Lost in 1st Round) |
2023 | 8-3, 6-2 |
2022 | 11-3, 7-2 (Lost in Quarterfinals) |
2021 | 7-3, 6-2 |
2021 Spring | 2-2, 2-2 |
Schedule
8/30 | UNC Pembroke (CC) |
9/13 | Bluefield State (CIAA) |
9/20 | At UVA Wise |
9/27 | Carson-Newman |
10/4 | At Newberry |
10/11 | Catawba |
10/18 | At Emory & Henry |
10/25 | At Anderson |
11/1 | Lenoir-Rhyne |
11/8 | At Tusculum |
11/15 | Mars Hill |
SAC Players to Watch: Carlos Estronza (WR), Ethan Wallace (RB), Porfirio Acosta (OL), Kai Russell (DE), Jaquan Edwards (LB), Brandon Perry (DB)
Biggest question mark for me: How do you replace so much departed talent?
Wingate had one of the best defenses in the nation the past few years and has lost a lot of dudes off that team, including Marquise Fleming, who dang near has the defensive player of the year trophy named after him. But there are still some studs remaining, such as Ryan Green and Kai Russell, and defensive captain Jaquan Edwards is an under the radar guy almost to me. Offense will look different as well, with Brooks Bentley transferring out, and losing your top two rushers and receiver. I think the Bulldogs will be okay, they always seem to find a way, but it may be a bit more challenging than in recent years.
1. Lenoir-Rhyne Bears
Head Coach: Doug Socha (2nd season at Lenoir-Rhyne)
Five Year Trend:
2024 | 10-3, 6-2 (Lost in 2nd Round) |
2023 | 13-2, 7-1 (Won SAC Championship; Lost in Semifinals) |
2022 | 8-3, 7-2 |
2021 | 8-3, 6-2 (Lost in 1st Round) |
2021 Spring | 3-1, 3-0 (Lost in SAC Spring Championship) |
Schedule
8/29 | At West Florida (GSC) |
9/6 | At Tusculum |
9/13 | Emory & Henry |
9/20 | At Carson-Newman |
9/27 | Newberry |
10/4 | At Valdosta State (GSC) |
10/11 | Anderson |
10/18 | UVA Wise |
10/25 | At Mars Hill |
11/1 | At Wingate |
11/15 | Catawba |
SAC Players to Watch: James Ussery (DB), Maddox Aprile (DL), Treyvon Cooper (LB), Ryan Whetzel (OL), Songa Yates (WR), Dom Marshall (WR)
Biggest question mark for me: Who takes over the reigns on offense?
Doug Socha’s first year in Hickory was highlighted by an incredible come from behind win against West Alabama in the playoffs, as the Bears went dancing for the 4th time in the past five full seasons. They eventually fell to red hot Virginia Union in the 2nd round. The Bears lost some key pieces from last years team: Jalen Ferguson, DeAree Rogers, Nic Cheeley, Andre Jefferson to name a few. But they returned a lot of experience and firepower and added some more in their signing class, including Elite 100 defensive back Desmond Greene from Southwestern Oklahoma. They also will have one of the best 1-2 punches at running back in the country between LJ Turner (transferred from Catawba/West Virginia) and Zayvion Turner-Knox. And don’t sleep on the rest of the dudes in the running back room who carried the load when Turner-Knox went down last year (Boyd, Fox, Roberson).
My Projected Standings:
Not a chance I'd post these.