SAC Week 5 Preview

October 3rd, 2025 3:00pm

SAC Players of the Week

Offense: Daniel Thomas (UVA Wise): ran 32 times for 167 yards and a trio of touchdowns

Defense: Ean Rhea (Emory & Henry): seven tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in the victory to go with a forced fumble

Special Teams: Cam Peoples (Emory & Henry): two punt returns for 82 total yards, including a 72-yard touchdown return

Standings after Week 4

Last Week: 5-1

Season: 27-4

***Tusculum is off this week***

#22 Carson-Newman Eagles at Emory & Henry Wasps

Location & Time: Emory, VA / 1 PM

Massey: Emory & Henry -4.5

SP+: Emory & Henry 24.4, Carson-Newman 23.2

Series: Emory & Henry leads series 20-19-2. (Emory & Henry won last meeting, 17-10, in 2024)

Carson‑Newman’s win (21‑14) on the road at then-#19 Wingate was built on a grinding ground game, stout defense, and timely execution. They dominated on the ground with 215 net rushing yards on 59 attempts, led by Jayden Sullins (102 rushing yards) and Zane Whitson, who added a rushing TD. Their offense didn’t need to throw much (just 33 passing yards), but they cashed in when they needed: scoring in the first quarter to grab momentum, then adding two long scoring drives in the 4th (including a big 72‑yard drive capped by a Mario Sanchez rushing TD) and making key field goals (including a 52‑yard bomb by Bennett Smith) to extend the lead. Defensively, they held Wingate to just 241 yards total offense, disrupted their run game, forced some stalled drives and big plays, and generally made sure Wingate couldn’t take control.

The Wasps turned in a dominant second-half performance to pull away for a 42‑13 win, responding impressively after trailing 10‑0. Their offense came alive in Q2 with two passing touchdowns and a rushing score to seize momentum before halftime. Emory & Henry’s ground game was strong, and special teams made a big impact — including a 72‑yard punt return by Cam Peoples in the fourth. The defense put consistent pressure on Anderson’s QB, notching six sacks and forcing turnovers, allowing the Wasps to control the game in the second half. Ean Rhea was a game wrecker in this one, winning SAC Defensive player of the week.

Prediction: Eagles get revenge, spray the Wasps.

Last year the Wasps won with phenomenal defense (forcing four Eagle turnovers) and Charles Mutter III rushing for 127 yards. This year I like the Eagles to bounce back and get revenge, but this is no doubt going to be an awesome football game between two physical teams. As most would expect, if the Wasps want to win they need to do what they do better than most everyone in the nation: cause chaos. Forcing turnovers, long 3^rd downs, and taking advantage of any miscues is the recipe in this one. For the Eagles, do a better job than last year containing the run and force whatever QB plays to stay in the pocket. Eagles also need to put away Emory & Henry if they have the chance, because you cannot let them linger around.

UVA Wise Cavaliers at Anderson Trojans

Location & Time: Anderson, SC / 2 PM

Massey: Anderson -8.5

SP+: Anderson 30.2, UVA Wise 19.1

Series: Anderson leads series, 1-0. (Anderson won last meeting, 20-13, in 2024)

UVA Wise rode a strong fourth quarter and a physical performance to a 35‑21 South Atlantic Conference win over Tusculum. They piled up 205 rushing yards, scored four rushing touchdowns, and leaned on their defense to force three fumbles and rack up three sacks. After being deadlocked 21‑21 entering the fourth, the Cavs executed in the red zone and avoided crucial turnovers down the stretch to pull away. The defense played really well especially in the second half. 

The Trojans got off to a promising start, jumping out to a 10‑0 lead with a rushing touchdown and a long field goal before Emory & Henry adjusted. However, after that burst, the offense stalled and they couldn’t sustain drives or respond to the Wasps’ momentum swings. The pass game struggled, and turnovers and sacks undercut their ability to keep up. As Emory & Henry piled on points in the second half, Anderson was unable to make crucial stops or generate enough offense to change the trajectory.

Prediction: Anderson picks up win #4

I expect Anderson’s defense to give the Cavaliers some problems, but I do think Daniel Thomas will test them for sure. If Wise can avoid miscues, which hasn’t happened much early on, they can make a game of this like last year. But I think the Trojans advantage defensively is what makes the difference in this one. This is a massive game for Anderson. Because they have some heavy hitters coming up on the schedule and if they want to go into the beef like a hot knife they have to avoid a let down here: at Lenoir-Rhyne, Carson-Newman, Wingate, and Newberry at home; then at Catawba. Woooooof.

Mars Hill Lions at Catawba Indians

Location & Time: Salisbury, NC / 6 PM

Massey: Mars Hill -5.5

SP+: Mars Hill 27.7, Catawba 25.5.

Series: Catawba leads series, 22-13. (Mars Hill won last meeting, 35-20, in 2023)

Mars Hill came out strong and steady, turning in a 21‑7 win at home over Mary Hardin‑Baylor. Their offense was balanced — starting with a 3‑yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and then adding two big plays in the third to pull away. Defensively, they were stout, forcing a safety in the second quarter, limiting UMHB to just one scoring drive in the second half, and generally keeping pressure up. The win improves their record and shows they can deliver when they need to make adjustments.

Catawba turned in one of its most explosive offensive performances of the season, rolling to a 63‑23 victory over Southern Connecticut State. They scored touchdowns on each of their first nine offensive possessions and racked up 638 total yards, with 379 rushing yards and 259 through the air. Key plays included long touchdown runs by Bennett Galloway (56 yards) and Kevin Lalin (59 yards), plus efficient QB work from Preston Brown.  Defensively, they forced several stalled drives and were strong on third down, helping them to dominate the game from start to finish.

Prediction: Lions defense stifles Indian offense.

Mars Hill has won five straight in this contest, and I’m feeling like they may make it six. Catawba has looked better defensively recently but I am not sure how well they will be able to move the ball against the Mars Hill defense. Can Catawba make someone other than Jr Martin beat them is the biggest question. This is my underrated game of the week and features two of the most fun quarterbacks in the conference, along with a plethora of other under the radar players on both sides of the ball. I’m going with the Lions. Lon hits a late FG to seal it.

Wingate Bulldogs at Newberry Wolves

Location & Time: Newberry, SC / 7 PM

Massey: Wingate -13.5

SP+: Wingate 27.6, Newberry 15.3.

Series: Wingate leads series, 18-17. (Wingate won last meeting, 38-0, in 2024)

For Wingate, this was a tough loss at home after being ranked and expected to assert. They showed flashes — Elijah Holmes burst for a 52‑yard rushing touchdown, and Jaylen Himes had a solid receiving game (110 yards, TD) on modest passing volume. But their offense couldn’t sustain momentum, especially in the second quarter when they blanked out, and they missed a couple of red‑zone or scoring chances (including a missed 45‑yard field goal in the 4th). Their defense held Carson‑Newman in check early, but couldn’t contain the late drives, particularly that 72‑yard march in the 4th. The turnovers didn’t help either, and penalties loomed large. In all, it was their lowest offensive output of the season, falling just short despite flashes of production. How much of the struggles were not just how well Carson-Newman played, but the weather was a factor too.

Newberry pulled off a tight 20‑17 rivalry road win thanks to some clutch late-game offense and more consistent execution in the red zone. Quarterback Reed Charpia connected twice with standout pass catcher Keith Desaussure for touchdowns, and kicker Nettles Burke delivered the winning 27‑yard field goal as time expired. They ran for decent yardage (168 net on 30 attempts) and didn’t turn the ball over, which helped them withstand Lenoir‑Rhyne’s strong rushing attack. Defensively, they made key stops, especially in the final minutes, to preserve the slim lead. It was a big win for Coach Knight’s squad, who is looking to return to their winning ways of a few years ago when they won back-to-back SAC titles.

Prediction: ‘Dogs bounce back.

Tony Nicolette, who covers the GLIAC and does an exceptional job on our weekly Sunday night show, has a phrase that sums up this game for me: known commodity over the unknown. We know that Wingate is a really good football team. We don’t 100% know that about the Wolves…. yet. Newberry will need to duplicate a lot of the things that went right for them last week to pull off another upset: force turnovers, don’t let the QB burn you with their legs, and get off the field on third down. People have nightmares about playing at “The Berry”, but Wingate will not. I think Wingate’s is better in all three phases and wins this game to get back on track. Wouldn’t be shocked if the Wolves won, and it will be closer than last years game. Bulldogs take their 3^rd straight in the series.

Lenoir-Rhyne Bears at Valdosta State Blazers

Location & Time: Valdosta, GA /

Massey: Valdosta State -11.5

SP+: Valdosta State 26.3, Lenoir-Rhyne 21.5.

Series: Valdosta State leads series, 2-1. (Lenoir-Rhyne won last meeting, 35-7, in 2023 NCAA Playoffs)

For Lenoir‑Rhyne, it was a heartbreaker last week against Newberry for the Bishop’s Trophy. They dominated in total offense (422 yards vs. 367) and had a strong ground game (209 rushing yards) but couldn’t close when it counted. Their QB, Khamoni Robinson, returned from injury threw for 213 yards and a touchdown, and Alex Boyd added a rushing TD. Zayvion Turner-Knox rushed for over 100 yards, and Destun Thomas led with 7 grabs for over 80 yards. However, they missed some opportunities — field goals and red‑zone chances — and left too much time on the clock for Newberry to respond. Despite a gritty fourth-quarter score to tie it, they couldn’t stop Newberry’s final drive. It was the Bears third loss of the season already and now puts Coach Socha and his team in playoff desperation mode.

Valdosta State had a frustrating home opener, falling 31‑0 to UNC Pembroke. It was the Blazers first shutout loss since 1991, and Coach Craig and his team find themselves in a corner already.  The Blazers turned the ball over five times (three interceptions, two fumbles), which stalled many promising drives. They were unable to establish a ground game (just 20 rushing yards) and couldn’t capitalize on their passing looks despite throwing for over 300 yards. Defensively, they lost momentum late, allowing UNCP to pull away with both offense and special teams contributions.

Prediction: Bears shock the Blazers.

This game feels like a playoff elimination match. Neither has been great this year, which is odd for two of the better programs in the region over the past decade. Through four games, I don’t think Valdosta State is a playoff team. Their best win is an eh-Clark Atlanta team and they got smoked by JCSU and UNC Pembroke. But Lenoir-Rhyne has seemed sort of lifeless that past two weeks compared to what the expectations were a few weeks ago. If Robinson can get going again and the defense force the Blazers to make some mistakes, they can pull even in the series between these two. At their best this year, Lenoir-Rhyne has looked better than Valdosta. It’s a long road trip, and I really am not sure on this one. But I’m going with the Bears.

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