October 10th, 2026 5:00pm
EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Football Team (3-4, 2-3 SAC) overcame an early 6-0 deficit to upset No. 20 nationally-ranked and previously undefeated Mars Hill University (5-1, 4-1 SAC) in front of a Homecoming crowd Saturday afternoon. The victory marks the third consecutive season with a ranked win, and fourth overall for the Wasps over a Top 25 nationally-ranked opponent since transitioning to the NCAA Division II ranks. Emory & Henry was forced to punt on their first drive and Mars Hill came up with a big play on special teams as Alexander Sanford blocked the attempted kick, and Matthew Leon fell on the loose ball at the E&H 23 to set the Lions up in premium field position. Mars Hill moved the chains on a fourth-down conversion, but the Wasps' defense stood tall, forcing MHU to settle for a 32-yard field goal from Matthias Newsome to put the visitors on top 3-0.
E&H was forced three-and-out on their ensuing possession and the heavy winds limited their punt to just 28 yards, setting the Lions up with the ball in Wasp territory at the 39. Mars Hill moved the ball 27 yards on eight plays, but again had to settle for a field goal attempt, this time from 29 yards out. The windy conditions once again came into play as Newsome's attempt was wide left to keep the score at 3-0.
The Lions forced another punt from the Wasps and were the beneficiaries of good field position for the third time in the game, taking over at the E&H 40. Mars Hill struggled once more to move the ball as their drive stalled at the 21 yard line and Newsome converted a 38-yard field goal to push the Mars Hill lead out to 6-0.
The two teams traded punts, but Emory & Henry finally broke through with their next turn with the pigskin. Senior quarterback Mark Konecny (Muskegon, Mich.) found redshirt freshman receiver M.A Skanes (Charlotte, N.C.) for a 28-yard pass, and sophomore running back De'Ante Childs (Columbus, Ga.) ripped off back-to-back 14-yard runs to set the Wasps up at the MHU 3. Redshirt freshman running back Dallas Chavis (Glen Allen, Va.) plunged into the end zone from three yards out and the Wasps took their first lead of the contest at 7-6, where the score would hold at the halftime break.
Mars Hill received the football to begin the second half, but on their fourth play of the drive sophomore defensive back Kamare Dillard (Hampton, Va.) stepped in front of a pass from MHU quarterback Lukas Kachilo and returned it 17 yards to the visitors' 15 to put E&H in business. Emory & Henry could move no further and sophomore kicker Asher Frisbee (Statesville, N.C.) was good on a 33-yard field goal to push the margin out to 10-6.
Both teams would stall on offense through the remainder of the quarter, with the Wasps still holding on to the four-point lead. Emory & Henry managed to move the ball back within scoring distance with their first possession of the fourth quarter, but Frisbee's 49-yard attempt came up just short and left in the swirling winds. After forcing another Mars Hill punt, the Wasps would add to their advantage. Five consecutive rushes from Chavis piled up 33 yards to put E&H in Mars Hill territory, but the drive would stall and force a punt. On the ensuing punt, the Lions were flagged for roughing the punter to give the Wasps' drive life once more. Emory & Henry would take advantage as Konecny found Skanes for eight yards and Chavis broke free for his second touchdown of the game, this of the 27-yard variety to give E&H the 17-6 lead.