By Bret Strelow
bstrelow@salisburypost.com
The Catawba notebook …
Cam Sexton, in Chapel Hill on Saturday afternoon to cheer for his former North Carolina teammates, pumped a fist each time T.J. Yates completed a pass in the closing minutes.
Sexton should be able to suit up in a Catawba uniform and return to action this weekend. The 13th-ranked Indians play host to Mars Hill in a SAC opener at 7 p.m.
Sexton, a UNC transfer, suffered an ankle injury early in Catawba’s win over Fayetteville State on Sept. 5. Backup quarterback Patrick Dennis guided the Indians to a victory against Livingstone a week later, and they were off Saturday.
The opening gave Sexton a chance to visit Kenan Stadium for the Tar Heels’ 31-17 victory against East Carolina.
“I don’t know if he’s 100 percent yet, but he’s getting there,” Catawba coach Chip Hester said. “I think the week off really did him a lot of good. Hopefully he’ll be close to 100 percent.”
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ACADEMIC HONOR: Dennis and Carson graduate Dustin Craft are members of the SAC commissioner’s honor roll, which recognizes student-athletes who carry at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average.
Craft, who made a brief appearance against Fayetteville State, is out of action due to complications following knee surgery.
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GET IN LINE: Catawba is dealing with several injuries on its offensive line.
Starting center Zane Gibson injured a knee early in the Livingstone game and is doubtful for Saturday.
“On the offensive line, that center is a quarterback,” Hester said. “He makes so many calls, sets protection, sets blocking schemes. Having that person go down is a pretty big adjustment for all the guys around him.”
Daylon McAlexander moved from left guard to center against the Blue Bears, and Roy Carter entered the lineup at guard. He suffered a knee injury later in the game, meaning Kemp McSween will likely play guard Saturday.
McSween, a junior, has already made 17 starts in his Catawba career.
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TOP OF THE CHARTS: Catawba leads Division II in total defense (166.0 yards allowed per game), sacks and tackles for loss.
Marqus Davis has been a key factor in the last two categories. He ranks first nationally in sacks per game (2.7) and tackles for loss per game (3.8). Two players are tied for second in sacks per game at 1.5.
Mars Hill has the nation’s third-leading rusher in Jonas Randolph, who is averaging 152.3 yards per contest. He had 43 carries for 216 yards in a win against St. Augustine’s on Sept. 12.