|
|
Catawba College's football team will hope to showcase some "Night
Moves" Saturday night.
The Indians (4-0, 2-0 and sixth ranked nationally) travel to Newberry (0-1, 2-2)
for a game under the lights. Game time is 7 p.m.
"Our guys enjoy playing at night," said Catawba coach David Bennett,
who added his school is supposed to get lights for next season.
The game should be interesting in terms of field position. Catawba's defense has
made a habit of forcing mistakes and turnovers. Catawba has had unbelievable
field position because of it.
But Newberry presents a challenge to the Indians. Newberry (whose nickname is
also the Indians) has a punter named Brooks Guyton.
"He's supposed to be the best punter in the league," said Bennett.
You'll get no argument out of West Virginia Wesleyan, which lost to Newberry
21-17 last week.
Guyton averaged 43 yards on seven punts and saw three downed inside the 20.
In fact, 12 of Guyton's punts have been downed inside the 20 during the first
four games.
Catawba's defense, which hasn't allowed over 50 yards rushing in a game this
season, has another challenge from the Newberry backfield. Two years ago,
quarterback Dustin Coats was All-South Atlantic Conference. Tailback Vic Gilmore
and fullback Josh Pierce have been All-SAC. And Pierce is the leading rusher,
having scored on a 61-yard run last week, finishing with a game-high 114 yards.
Gilmore, who is from the same hometown (Blackville, S.C.) as Catawba guard Don
Moore, missed a game due to injury but returned to gain 63 yards rushing.
It all sounds good until you look at the stats. The offense got plenty of help
from the defense, which was forced to stay on the field for 34 of the 60 minutes
and a whopping 88 plays. West Virginia Wesleyan had 23 first downs to just eight
for Newberry. But the Indian defense scored twice.
Newberry finished with three interceptions and seven sacks. Todd Geter had 13
tackles.
Then, remember the 34-3 Catawba victory last year over Newberry and you might
think Saturday will be an easy win.
Don't think that.
Catawba, ranked sixth in the land this week, will have its hands full.
"All you've got to do is turn on the sports or read a newspaper,"
Bennett said. "There are upsets happening every day, everywhere. You've got
to be ready.
"And the last time I checked, Newberry has the same number of scholarships
that we do. Both recruit North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. They have
the same avenues we have.
"It will be a good challenge."
Especially after last week, when Catawba did not play as well as its first three
games and won 27-14 over Presbyterian.
Bennett said there won't be any major changes in personnel. The Indians do not
have any major injuries and the players are focused on playing better at
Newberry than they did at home last week.
"I'll be honest," said Bennett. "What they do doesn't concern me
that much. It's us. If we play with intensity, play with emotion and take care
of the football, we'll be O.K."
n
The marquee game this week in the South Atlantic Conference has Mars Hill
traveling to No.2-ranked Carson-Newman for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff. Tim Clifton's
Lions team is talented and playing well but it will need to play almost flawless
football to win in Jefferson City.
Other games have Lenoir-Rhyne at Tusculum (1:30) and Wingate at Liberty (7).
n
Good news for Livingstone. The Blue Bears have a good chance to break their
losing streak at Virginia State (a 1:30 p.m. start). Virginia State is only 1-2
after high expectations in the preseason.
Other CIAAgames: Virginia Union at Bowie State (1), Elizabeth City at J.C. Smith
(6), Fayetteville State at Winston-Salem State (6) and North Carolina Central
against Morris Brown in Philadelphia (TBA).
n
Both Southern Conference teams with local ties are going on road trips.
Western Carolina is headed to Furman (2 p.m.) and Appalachian State plays at
East Tennessee State (7).
n
Horace Billings will travel with Catawba to its game at Newberry.
|
Ronnie