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If there’s anyone out there who still thinks Livingstone-Catawba is just another game, they need to talk to Catawba fullback Joe Hilliard.
Hilliard has a foot injury that would keep some guys out for two months.
“But Joe will play some against Livingstone,” said Catawba coach David Bennett. “He’ll wear a cast that goes right over the top of his shoe. He’ll be out there.”
Catawba may need him.
Don’t chuckle.
Catawba is favored Saturday and should be, based on the Salisbury neighbors’ 1999 records and the fact that the Tribe is ranked 12th in the nation in Division II in preseason, while Livingstone is ranked fifth in its conference.
But don’t tell Bennett that his crosstown opponent tastes like cupcake.
“Puh-leeze,” Bennett says, feigning a heart attack at Wednesday’s press conference when someone jokingly predicts a Catawba cakewalk. “We’re happy that this game is finally a reality. We’re pleased and proud to play for the Mayor’s Cup. But it won’t be easy. We’d love to have a nice automatic win in our first game, but no one’s gonna win this game handily. Livingstone’s a good football team and we know that.”
Bennett went on to praise the Bears for 15 minutes in an oration that rivaled the Gettysburg Address for eloquence.
“Livingstone has all kinds of team speed and they have a great coach in Greg Richardson,” continued Bennett. “You know, Greg’s recruiting all kinds of great players from South Carolina. We need to keep Greg out of South Carolina. That’s where we go for our players.”
For a few seconds, it looks like Bennett might get off the subject. But then he regains focus.
“All I’m thinking about and all my team is thinking about is Livingstone,” he insists.
At least,Bennett hopes that’s the case.
With the sort of overwhelming talent, Bennett has put together — record-setting quarterback Mitch Ellis (whose dad went to Livingstone, by the way), a massive offensive line, a truly scary defense led by everybody’s All-American DeVonte Peterson — it would be easy for the Tribe to start daydreaming about the looming showdown with Carson-Newman even before they’ve played a down or scored a point in 2000.
That’s Bennett’s biggest challenge. Keeping his gang focused every Saturday for opponents both great and small.
The pressure is on Catawba Saturday, as it will be in most every game. It’s supposed to not only win, but win big. And that can be an uncomfortable position in which to be.
On the other hand, Richardson is well aware that he has little to lose and everything to gain. He has a hungry team that can earn regional — maybe even national — attention with a huge upset.
Richardson loves the image of his team as a downtrodden underdog, but in reality, the Bears should be one of the CIAA’s better squads this season.
“I voted us last,” Richardson said with a smile on Wednesday. Then he confided, “But I’ve got high expectations for our young men.”
An incredible 18 starters are back for Richardson, including two solid QBs, superstar wideout Shannon Gainey and excellent running back Carlton Jones.
“We’ve got some good skill kids,” admits Richardson. “They can go all the way at any time. That always gives you a chance.”
No one doubts that Richardson is a fine judge of talent. He recruited many of the players on Rudy Abrams’ Bear teams that led Division II in rushing defense in both ‘96 and ‘97. If the Bears can somehow find a way to hold their own up front against people like Peterson and 315-pound offensive lineman Cole Beane, whom Bennett says was tossing around 500 pounds the other day, this will be a contest worthy of its buildup.
Bennett says there’s no excuse for any football fan in the area not to be present for Saturday’s 1:30 kickoff at Shuford Stadium.
“What better place to be on a Saturday afternoon,” Bennett said. “Catawba and Livingstone — 1.2 miles apart and I know that ‘cause I drove it — and playing each other for the first time in 29 years. There may not be anything like it anywhere in the country.”
“It will be a test for our young men,” Richardson responds. “It’s a chance for us to show what we can do. Catawba is outstanding, so they’re the perfect gauge to tell us where we stand.”
Rest assured, the Bears will show up. This one should be fun as well as historic.
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