SAC Week 6 Preview

October 8th, 2026 1:30pm

October is usually when the picture starts to come into focus in the D2 football landscape. Like the leaves here in the Smokey mountains every fall, the pretenders begin to fall from the proverbial tree while the contending teams look to hang on just a bit longer. The ball clubs who had great September’s begin to get tested by the meat of the schedule and normally the playoff picture becomes clearer and easier to navigate. The SAC in 2026 though, remains as clear as mud. There are still more questions than answers, and just when it looks like things are beginning to sort themselves out, somebody (Emory & Henry and UVA Wise) throws an industrial sized wrench into everything.

That unpredictability is what makes this Week 6 slate of games so interesting. There is not much room for anyone to take a Saturday off, and several teams are staring at games that could dramatically change how we view them heading into the second half of the season. With conference races tightening and the margin for error shrinking, October football has arrived in the SAC—but somebody forgot to give the league the October script. As Carson-Newman’s Adam Cavalier shared on X this week, through 20 SAC games there have been 11 games decided by less than a touchdown and only three blowouts. The average margin of victory is a measly 9.35 points.

SAC Players of the Week:

Offense: Thomas McCoy (UVA Wise) - eight receptions for 137 yards and three touchdowns

Defense: Braylon Henry (UVA Wise) – recorded two interceptions and added three tackles

Special Teams: Aiden Magee (UVA Wise) - connected on both of his field goal attempts and converted both of his extra-point attempts.

👀 Three Things I'm Watching

...Can anyone create some separation?

...Which team wins the close game this week?

...Is there another result nobody sees coming?

📈 SAC Standings

📊 NPI Watch

📝 Picks

Last Week: 2-3

Season: 23-15

🏆 SAC Game of the Week

Anderson Trojans (4-2, 3-1) at Carson-Newman Eagles (5-1, 3-1)

Location & Time: Jefferson City, TN / 1:00 PM

Series: Carson-Newman leads the all-time series, 2-0. (Eagles won the last matchup, 28-6, in 2025)

Anderson suffered its first setback since week zero last Saturday, falling at home to Emory & Henry, 23-20, in the final minutes of the game, after leading 20-16 entering the fourth quarter. The Trojans were held to just 292 yards of total offense, including only 70 rushing yards on 26 attempts, while Wilson Edwards threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-29 passing. Zay Williams had 114 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Darren Lloyd added a 48-yard scoring reception, but Anderson struggled to sustain its offense late. The Trojans had opportunities, converting only 1-of-3 fourth downs and going just 1-of-3 in the red zone for touchdowns. At 4-2 overall and 3-1 in SAC play, Anderson remains firmly in the conference race, but the loss exposed some offensive limitations against an E&H team that controlled the line of scrimmage.

Carson-Newman erased a 14-0 halftime deficit and rallied for a dramatic 20-17 overtime victory at Lenoir-Rhyne, improving to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in SAC play. The Eagles did it almost entirely on the ground, piling up 292 rushing yards compared with just 38 passing yards, with Joshua Adams scoring twice—including the 2-yard overtime winner—and Kayden McCoy adding a fourth-quarter touchdown on an 80-yard drive that tied the game. C-N finished with 330 total yards, converted 5-of-11 third downs and controlled the ball for 32:16 despite L-R having more first downs, 18-15. The defense also came up big after halftime, holding the Bears scoreless in regulation after L-R's two long first-half scoring drives. For C-N, it was another statement win in a season that is quickly putting the Eagles in the thick of the SAC race, particularly after winning despite producing only 38 yards through the air.

Projected Score: Carson-Newman 23, Anderson 17.

My Pick: CARSON-NEWMAN

Two weeks ago, the Eagles 13 game home winning streak was snapped, and that has not sat well. The Eagles fell behind last week but a dominant second half with Shooby Coleman running the show gave the Eagles a much need spark. If the Eagles are going to start a new streak and keep pace with Mars Hill, it starts with finding some offensive consistency: after scoring 85 points the first two weeks, the Eagles have been averaging 23 per game. Two other keys for Coach Almond’s squad that stand out are preventing big plays from the Anderson run game and being able to win another close one: this game may come down to the end. If the Trojans want to bounce back and get the programs 1^st win over C-N, they too have to get their offense back on track and finish. The run defense is going to have to step up in a big way as well, after giving up over 300 yards to a team who more times than not does not get to 140. It is a big challenge, and possibly the biggest game in program history thus far for the Black & Gold. I like C-N to continue their push at home.

Rest of the Slate:

Mars Hill Lions (5-0, 4-0) at Emory & Henry Wasps (2-4, 1-3)

Location & Time: Emory, VA / 1:00 PM

Series: Emory & Henry leads the all-time series, 7-6. (Emory & Henry won the last meeting, 48-23, in 2025)

Mars Hill somehow found another way to win, rallying from 10 points down in the final five minutes before surviving Tusculum 42-40 in a wild four-overtime thriller. Lukas Kachilo was outstanding through the air, completing 23-of-44 passes for 324 yards and four touchdowns, while also accounting for a rushing score; Ryder Bush-Ivanko added 111 receiving yards and a 68-yard touchdown. The Lions were thoroughly outplayed on the ground, managing just 18 rushing yards on 22 attempts, and were outgained 478-342, but their ability to make plays late kept the unbeaten season alive. Kachilo's 61-yard touchdown pass to Greyson Council cut the deficit to three before Matthias Newsome drilled a 52-yard field goal to force overtime, and Rayvon Durant eventually delivered the winning two-point conversion in the fourth OT. At 5-0 overall and 4-0 in SAC play, Mars Hill remains the conference's only unbeaten team and continues to show that, regardless of how ugly the path gets, this team knows how to finish.

Not a bad day to get off the snide! Emory & Henry pulled off its biggest win of the season, rallying for a 23-20 road victory at Anderson behind a dominant rushing performance and a late defensive stand. The Wasps piled up 301 rushing yards on 51 carries (5.9 yards per attempt) and finished with 455 total yards, controlling the ball for 33 minutes. Dallas Chavis was the workhorse, rushing for 154 yards and two touchdowns, while Mark Konecny completed 10-of-17 passes for 154 yards and a score. After Anderson took a 20-10 lead in the third quarter, E&H answered with a five-yard Chavis touchdown run before Konecny found Parker Prioleau for the 23-yard game-winning touchdown with 1:12 remaining. The victory moved the Wasps to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in SAC play, and while the playoff margin remains toilet paper thin, the win gives E&H some momentum heading into the second half of the conference schedule.

Projected Score: Emory & Henry 23, Mars Hill 21.

My Pick: MARS HILL

Projected score has the Wasps pulling off the upset, but I like the Lions to remain unbeaten, despite the impressive performance by the Wasps at Anderson last weekend. Kachilo has been a difference maker and will need to be moving forward for Coach Barnette’s ball club. I would also like to see the Lions get the run game back on track, after rushing for just 18 yards last week. The Lions have also had a little bit of that “Newberry 2025” magic this year, finding ways to win games but making it overly exciting for their team and fan base. You do not want to continually put yourself in the position (maybe?). If Coach Hunter’s gang is going to knock off another SAC unbeaten, the game plan will be similar to before: slow down the passing game; make the Mars Hill offense earn every possession and turn it into a four-quarter fist fight. The Wasps showed glimpse of what made them so good in 2024 and 2025 last week. Does Konecny and the run game have some more magic?

Tusculum Pioneers (3-3, 2-2) at Wingate Bulldogs (2-4, 1-3)

Location & Time: Wingate, NC / 3:00 PM

Series: Wingate leads the all-time series, 18-10. (Bulldogs won the last meeting, 56-10, in 2025)

Tusculum let an excellent opportunity slip away, falling 42-40 to No. 22 Mars Hill in four overtimes after holding a 10-point lead with less than five minutes remaining in regulation. The Pioneers dominated statistically, rolling up 478 yards of total offense to Mars Hill’s 342 and holding the ball for 39:32, with Ja’Von McMahan rushing for 123 yards on 21 carries and Tedros Gleaton adding 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Tusculum led 31-21 with 4:21 left, but Mars Hill answered with a 61-yard touchdown and then forced a fourth-down stop before a 52-yard field goal tied the game with 1:12 remaining. The Pioneers continued to answer in overtime but could not finish after Gleaton's fourth-overtime attempt fell incomplete. At 3-3 overall and 2-2 in SAC play, Tusculum has plenty to build on from the performance, but the inability to close out a game it largely controlled will sting.

Wingate fell to Catawba 35-24, dropping the Bulldogs to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in SAC play in a game where the numbers were much closer than the final score. Wingate actually matched Catawba with 167 rushing yards and finished with 336 total yards, but three turnovers—including three interceptions by quarterback Brooks Brien—proved costly. Ethan Wallace provided a spark with a 53-yard touchdown run, while Aaron Griffin delivered a huge special-teams play with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that helped pull Wingate within four entering the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs simply could not stay on the field, holding the ball for just 21:08 while Catawba converted 8-of-12 third downs and controlled possession for 39 minutes. Defensively, Elijah Manning led Wingate with nine tackles, but the Bulldogs surrendered a decisive 14-play, 60-yard fourth-quarter drive that consumed 8:44 and put the game away.

Projected Score: Wingate 32, Tusculum 19.

My Pick: WINGATE

If you would have told me at any point over the past three seasons that I would be contemplating picking Tusculum to win at Wingate, I never would have believed you. But yet, here we are. If Coach Taylor’s squad is going to stay in the hunt for a playoff berth, here is my three keys: 1) run the ball (wear out the defense and run the clock) 2) make Wingate drive the field (9+ play drives rather than quick hitters) 3) finish—too many close losses early. If Coach Jordan’s club is going to right the ship, which has been going in the wrong direction for a few weeks now, their keys are essentially the opposite of the Pioneers goals for the game: 1) stop the run 2) protect the football (not winning games with 3+ turnovers unless you’re playing the Chargers) 3) get Wallace and the run game going to take pressure off Brien. He HAS to be better if the Bulldogs want to avoid it’s first losing season since 2013. I'm going with the Bulldogs in this one, but honestly, this game may be the least confident I feel this week. 

Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (2-4, 1-3) at UVA Wise Cavaliers (1-5, 1-3)

Location & Time: Wise, VA / 6:00 PM

Series: Lenoir-Rhyne leads the all-time series, 3-1. (Bears won the last meeting, 23-10, in 2025)

Lenoir-Rhyne let a potentially season-changing win slip away, blowing a 14-point halftime lead before falling 20-17 to No. 23 Carson-Newman in the first overtime game ever between the two programs. The Bears were excellent early, opening with an 80-yard touchdown drive before putting together a 16-play, 86-yard possession that consumed 10:08 and pushed the lead to 14-0. Wells Bettenhausen finished 18-of-28 for 176 yards and two touchdowns, Eddie Clark ran for 102 yards, and Christian Santana led the defense with 11 tackles and a forced fumble. But L-R failed to capitalize on several second-half opportunities—including the possession immediately following Santana's fumble-and allowed C-N to score on an 80-yard fourth-quarter drive to tie the game. At 2-4 overall and 1-3 in SAC play, the Bears are in a difficult position, but the performance showed they can compete with one of the conference's better teams; the immediate challenge is finding a way to finish games.

UVA Wise picked up its biggest win of the season, stunning (AFCA #15) Newberry 48-38 for its first victory of 2026 and first win over a ranked opponent since 2021. The Cavaliers were terrific offensively, piling up 551 total yards, including 267 passing yards from McCalan Beason, 147 rushing yards from Evan Kennedy and 137 from Thomas McCoy. After a 7-7 first quarter, UVA Wise ripped off three second-quarter scoring drives to take a 24-7 lead and eventually built a 37-21 advantage before Newberry's late push. The Cavaliers also capitalized on Newberry's turnovers and penalties, turning the Wolves' miscues into points while protecting the lead down the stretch. At 1-5 overall and 1-3 in SAC play, the record still does not tell the whole story, but this is exactly the kind of win that can change the trajectory of the Cavaliers' season.

Projected Score: Lenoir-Rhyne 36, UVA Wise 18.

My Pick: LENOIR-RHYNE

I came really close to picking UVA Wise in an upset here, and it would not stun me at all. They have the offensive firepower to make the Bears sweat, but I admittingly, am not brave enough. I think Lenoir-Rhyne's rushing attack could have a field day. Both of these teams are working towards 2027, with the number of losses, only a crazy SAC title would get them in the dance. Lenoir-Rhyne is a good football team, but they have just found ways to lose games that you are not used to. Their losses are to teams a combined 17-3 in D2 games this year. To avoid the upset this week, control the line of scrimmage; limit the explosive plays; and finish drives. I think the backs have big games. You cannot leave points on the board. If the Highland Cavaliers are going to get the big win, the three things I find key are keeping the offense rolling; get the Bears into passing situations; and do not give away extra possessions. Again, I would not be stunned at all if Coach Bass and the boys find a way to keep it rolling, especially when they have nothing to play for this season.

Newberry Wolves (3-2, 2-2) at Catawba Indians (3-3, 2-2)

Location & Time: Salisbury, NC / 6:00 PM

Series: Newberry leads the all-time series, 44-42-3. (Indians won the last meeting, 21-10, in 2025)

Newberry suffered a major setback, falling 48-38 to UVA Wise at Setzler Field and dropping to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in SAC play. The Wolves fell behind 24-7 after UVA Wise scored 17 unanswered in the second quarter but rallied furiously in the second half and eventually pulled within one possession. Mason Kidd had a huge night, throwing for 317 yards and three touchdowns, while Newberry totaled 466 yards of offense, but the Wolves were undone by mistakes. Newberry committed a season-high 19 penalties, and several costly turnovers gave the Cavaliers extra possessions and helped UVA Wise build its early advantage. The comeback showed plenty of fight, but after reaching the national semifinals a year ago, Newberry now has little margin for error in the SAC race.

Catawba snapped its losing streak against Wingate with a 35-24 victory, moving the Indians to 3-3 overall and 2-2 in SAC play and giving them a much-needed win in the conference race. The Indians were not dramatically more productive statistically, totaling 383 yards to Wingate's 336, but they dominated the possession battle and consistently extended drives, finishing with 23 first downs and an impressive 8-of-12 mark on third down. Mason Fortune threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns, while Kevon Rivera scored twice on the ground and Saeed St. Fleur added another rushing touchdown. Catawba's defense also benefited enormously from Wingate's mistakes, forcing three interceptions and limiting the Bulldogs to just four third-down conversions. The Indians finished the night with 39 minutes of possession, including the 8:44 fourth-quarter touchdown drive that effectively sealed the victory.

Projected Score: Newberry 25, Catawba 24.

My Pick: NEWBERRY

This game reeks of one where my pick is incorrect, and I just typed it. Both of these defenses are around the same area in total defense and scoring defense, so that may be a wash. Newberry’s offense has a little more firepower and that is why I am leaning Wolves, but I could change my mind by lunch today. What I am looking for out of the Wolves in this one is 1) Let Kidd Cook: attack and go vertical. 2) Get off to a fast start so that you can dictate the game and 3) Discipline. Too many turnovers and way too many penalties, this team showed a troubling amount in the lack of discipline department last week. If the Indians are going to get above .500 and win a second in a row against the former Indians, 1) stop the big plays 2) run the ball to keep the Wolves from teeing off on pass game and 3) win the situational battle: 3^rd and 4^th downs, turnovers, scoring in the red zone. A loss for either team here effectively ends any postseason hopes, especially for the Wolves with only 9 D2 games.

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