August 28th, 2025 10:00am
Friday night begins the 50th season of SAC football, with an absolute banger to kick things off. I love these elite early season matchups and seeing two of the best programs in our region over the past decade start things off down in gorgeous Pensacola, Florida is awesome.
Below you will find the power rankings, which are based off the preseason coaches’ poll and will obviously fluctuate rapidly throughout the season, along with some game previews, which will get more in-depth as the season progresses.
Mars Hill and Newberry are off this week.
Friday’s Game
#14 Lenoir-Rhyne at #11 West Florida
Location & Time: Pensacola, FL / 7 PM
Massey: West Florida by -8.5
Series: West Florida leads, 1-0. (Won only meeting in 2019 NCAA Playoffs, 43-38)
Last year, I thought of the three SAC playoff teams I had the least confidence in the Bears to be the one who would win. Then they were the only ones to do it, and 2025 should bring more thrills. The Bears are fast, physical, deep, and over the past 12 years have become a staple in the super region. Returning 13 guys who started the playoff game against West Alabama, including 4 of 5 offensive linemen will give Coach Socha a good base to get the Bears back where they have gotten accustomed to being in November and December: playing playoff football.
A lot of big preseason expectations on Coach Kaleb Nobles and the West Florida Argonauts, and the dang hype machine will not go away easily. Led by star quarterback Marcus Stokes, the Argonauts are looking to wipe the sour taste of 2024, their first missed postseason in five years, out of their mouths and make sure the conference and region run through Pensacola. The preseason GSC favorites feature loads of talent, highlighted by three D2Football Elite 100 guys in Byron Puryear (defensive line), Collin Shaw (defensive line), and Corey Scott (wide receiver).
Prediction: West Florida escapes with a win.
Like some of my esteemed colleagues said on Sunday night, if this game were played in a few weeks I would roll with the Bears. Lenoir-Rhyne really finds their groove in late September and early October (which is why I think they will win at Valdosta in October but anyways). On the confidence scale, this is second to bottom for me this week.
Saturday’s Slate
West Virginia State at Carson-Newman
Location & Time: Jefferson City, TN / 12 PM
Massey: Carson-Newman by -16.5
Series: Carson-Newman leads, 1-0. (Won only meeting, 56-25, in 2024)
West Virginia State was the opposite of what UNC Pembroke did in 2024. The Yellow Jackets started off 5-1, before losing 5 of 6 down the stretch to finish 6-5, 5-4 in the MEC. Senior running back Justin Pessoa returns, but the offense will look quite different without Joel Felder, who was the leading rusher and receiver in 2024. The schedule is tough early (C-N, Barton and preseason #2 Fairmont in the first four weeks) and late, so maybe the Yellow Jackets can find a way to steal a game or two early to prep for a back half that includes two of the top 3 in the MEC and GSC power West Florida.
The Eagles made it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019 last year, and despite losing a rock-fight against Miles, there is a lot to look forward to and back on with the program. There was lots of excitement, but Coach Ingram and his guys are hungry for more this season. Carson-Newman returns a lot, and a lot of depth. The defense lost a few key contributors (Major Williams, Kendall Williams, and Christian Hicks to be specific), but most everybody else returns. The offense really started to get moving and should be even better this year, assuming the Eagles do not have to go five or six deep at quarterback again but if they do, heck, they got the guys.
Prediction: Eagles cruise to 1-0.
Too much depth and too much talent. It was a mismatch last year and I think this year may be more of the same. I like the Eagles to cruise in this one by three to four scores.
Anderson at Shorter
Location & Time: Rome, GA / 12 PM
Massey: Shorter by -7.5
Series: First Ever Meeting
Coach Lamb’s team had some moments during the inaugural season of Trojans football, but they also had some gut-wrenching losses. Three SAC losses were one score games, and Mars Hill scored 14 unanswered to win as well. A lot of the core is back, and the Trojans are in a spot where they could take a big step forward in 2025. Tyler Wesley returns at quarterback; the top three rushers are returning and the top five pass catchers all return. Both leading tacklers return, along with much of the 2024 defense. I am not sure the Trojans are ready to contend for the league title yet, but they sure could be a pain for the ones that are.
The Shorter Hawks come into the 2025 season to me very similar to the other teams moving football from the GSC to Conference Carolinas: a bit of an unknown. Shorter went 4-70 in their time in the GSC and have not had a winning season since that first season in 2012. But how much of that was just how good the league was, rather than Shorter being bad? Guess we will find out to an extent this year. Coach Morrison’s crew was picked to finish third in the league and should be a wild card in the conference title game race.
Prediction: Anderson eeks out a win in a close one on the road.
I have very little confidence in this one, but I am going with Anderson out of SAC pride. Though they need to start beating quality teams before I really start picking them
Emory & Henry at Glenville State
Location & Time: Glenville, WV / 1 PM
Massey: Emory & Henry by -7.5
Series: Emory & Henry leads, 1-0. (Won only meeting, 38-7, in 2024)
The 2025 Wasps have a tough act to follow. While some of the faces have changed, and there are still some pieces there, there are some changes in the heart of the team. The defense last year was so much fun to watch, giving up just 14.8 PPG and an absurd number of turnovers, which made things easier on the offense. Shawn Collins on the back end made the Elite 100 watch list and is an unbelievable defensive back. In order to make their first playoff appearance since transitioning to D2, the Wasps are going to need a lot more of the same on defense, and some new playmakers to step up on offense to take pressure off Jordan Jackson and Cam Peoples, along with whichever quarterback they go with.
Mike Keller’s team had a solid 2024 season, going 7-4 and 7-2 in the MEC. Charleston is the favorite to win the league, but the Pioneers got a 1st place vote and are picked to finish 3rd. Senior Anthony Garrett is back under center and will look to help the club win its first conference title since the 2008 team that won the now defunct WVIAC. Other key players returning are leading rusher Zavoine Wood, and leading receiver Tariq Miller. All in all, it is shaping up to be a pretty good season in Glenville.
Prediction: Wasps sting the Pioneers, start 1-0.
This game last year almost got me. I thought Glenville would be more competitive, but Emory & Henry took them to the cleaners. I expect a much closer game this year, would not be stunned with a Wasps loss, but I think based on last year I will go with Coach Hunter’s squad.
Ferrum at Catawba
Location & Time: Salisbury, NC / 6 PM
Massey: Catawba by -34.5
Series: Ferrum leads, 1-0. (Won only meeting, 14-0, in 1963)
Ferrum is one of the new members to D2, moving up from D3 and joining Conference Carolinas. The Panthers offense will be led by Zach Wyatt, who threw for over 1200 yards last year, and running back Jahylen Lee, who rushed for almost 1000 and 11 scores. It will be interesting to see how the transition and uptick in competition goes, so Coach Sherman and company may take some lumps in 2025.
As I said in the season preview, there are two big questions for Coach Haines and the Indians this year: Can the offensive weapons stay healthy, and can the defense take enough of a step forward to where the offense doesn’t have to score every possession for them to win? Preston Brown, when 100%, is arguably the best quarterback in the SAC. Bo Pryor was outstanding in 2023, but his 2024 year was cut short after one game, but the Indians will need some more from other guys now that Kobe Christian and Deuce Linder are out of Salisbury. A lot of folks would worry after losing LJ Turner, but Quece Williams and Kevon Rivera filled in nicely when he was hurt last year. Throw in a stud like Kevin Lalin from Limestone and Catawba’s offense is looking stout!
Prediction: Catawba in a blowout.
Ferrum may end up being okay down the road, but Catawba’s offense is just too much early on. This one could get ugly, and we could see some backups in the second half.
Concord at UVA Wise
Location & Time: Wise, VA / 6 PM
Massey: UVA Wise by -17.5
Series: Concord leads, 6-5. (UVA Wise won last meeting, 28-0, in 2024)
Concord made a coaching change in the offseason, bringing in Cody Edwards from FCS Western Carolina. Coach Edwards will have some work to do, as the Mountain Lions are coming off a second consecutive 1-10 campaign after a promising 2022. Concord was voted to finish eighth in the preseason league poll, but we shall see if any of the newcomers on the roster will help them have a better ’25 season (including multiple guys from Limestone). Concord lost the only three backs with 100+ yards last year, but QB Kameron Howard is back and looking for a solid junior year.
If UVA Wise is going to make any noise at all in 2025, they must win the games they are supposed to. Last year they beat up on the Mountain Lions to the tune of 28-0, and a great start would be extremely helpful this year as well. The offense seems poised to be led by Jake Corkren again, who will have a few weapons returning but I feel like they need that clutch big play guy again. The defense will have to do a better job of keeping things in front and getting to the quarterback better. Nobody on the Cavalier defense recorded more than two sacks a year ago.
Prediction: Highland Cavaliers grab win #1
UVA Wise returns more and is ahead of where Concord currently is. I like Wise experience on offense, and they are at home.
UNC Pembroke at Wingate
Location & Time: Wingate, NC / 6 PM
Massey: Wingate by -12.5
Series: Wingate leads, 9-3. (Wingate won last meeting, 17-12, in 2024)
Mark Hall’s squad started 0-4 last year, before catching fire and finishing 6-1 while scoring 56 PPG over the last seven weeks. The Braves are expected to have a strong 2025, being selected to tie for first with North Greenville in the Conference Carolinas coach’s poll. The Braves must replace their top four weapons on offense, including quarterback Colin Johnson. My guy to watch will be West Virginia State transfer Joel Felder. Felder rushed for over 3,000 yards in 31 games for WVSU.
Wingate lost a lot of big-time pieces off their 2024 SAC championship squad, but do not make the mistake of thinking the cupboard is suddenly. Wingate always finds a way to retool, and Coach Jordan and his staff will figure things out. The defense always reloads, but I do have some legitimate questions about the offense. O’Brien Barnett and Corey Siemer are gone, meaning Ethan Wallace and others are going to have to step it up in the run game; Evan McCray is gone meaning Carlos Estronza is going to have to handle being the guy now. And we do not really have a clue yet who is going to be QB1 with Brooks Bentley now at FCS New Hampshire and Noah Bell gone as well.
Prediction: Wingate holds off the Braves in another low scoring rock fight.
I am going with Wingate at home. Irwin Belk is such a hard place to win at, especially at night. Last year’s matchup was a low scoring rock fight, and I expect more of the same from these two rivals. Especially as both figure out where they stand on offense here in the early season.
Tusculum at Bluefield State
Location & Time: Bluefield, WV / 7 PM
Massey: Tusculum by -17.5
Series: First Ever Meeting
Like their week zero opponents, Coach Taylor and the Pioneers had a 2024 to forget, going 1-9, 1-7 in league play. Tusculum has a lot at the offensive skill positions to replace and will rely heavily on skilled tight end Reginald Hunter. On paper it looks like 2025 could be tough in Greeneville, solely based on the production lost on both sides of the ball, but as I said in the season preview, look for Otasowie Dion to have a big season if Gabe McLamb and the rest of the offensive line start to sync. Dion had limited action offensively last year but showed some flashes (5.4 YPC) behind Restall and Hunt.
The Big Blues of Bluefield State went 1-9 in 2024 and based on the CIAA preseason coaches’ poll, 2025 may be a tough one as well as Coach Morgan’s squad is projected to finish 11th. The challenge for 2025 is to not have as much difficulty scoring (9.8 PPG) and slowing teams down (41.8 PPG). The folks in Bluefield, West Virginia are hoping that 2025 brings some new luck, as their team has had three consecutive 1-9 seasons. Side note, the guys at Bluefield State who do the broadcast are some of my favorites in Division II. Give them a listen Saturday night.
Prediction: Tusculum starts the year off with a win.
Even with the players they lost, Tusculum still has more overall talent than Bluefield State. If Tusculum jumps out to an early lead, they can bleed the clock and cut into the number of possessions.