Catawba head football Curtis Walker is a perfectionist, so last Saturday’s 42-16 win against Livingstone left him somewhat disappointed.
It was 42-0 at one point, but Livingstone closed strong.
“There were things to feel good about — our 80-percent completion percentage, no sacks allowed, our defense stopping them nine straight times — but I’m not extremely pleased wth how we finished it,” Walker said.
The competition gets stronger for the Indians (2-0) tonight with Newberry’s Wolves (2-0) visiting Shuford Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
It will be Walker’s first night game at Shuford. The Indians weren’t playing night games during his playing career or when he was an assistant coach.
“I’m excited,” he said. “It should be good weather, a good crowd and a good ballgame.”
Newberry comes in with a balanced offense and stout defense that posted four sacks last week, and the Wolves also are resilient. They overcame a potentially disastrous 100-yard interception return last week — a 14-point swing — and were still able to beat Florida Tech.
Walker knows some of the Newberry staffers well. Secondary coach Drew Watson and running backs coach Hunter Spivey were co-workers when Walker was on coach David Bennett’s Coastal Carolina staff.
Catawba’s most recent win against Newberry was in 2010. Catawba has lost close ones to the Wolves the last two seasons — 21-13 in Salisbury in 2011 and 35-28 at Newberry in 2012.
Another tight game is expected. It could come down to special teams and Catawba’s All-America kick returner L.J. McCray.
“Every time he touches it, I hold my breath waiting for good things to happen,” Walker said.
• Livingstone (0-2) plays this afternoon at 2 p.m. in Jacksonville, Fla., against Edward Waters College (0-3).

Erwin won 5-4 against China Grove on Thursday.
Caroline Johnson had two of Erwin’s seven hits. Johnson was the winning pitcher for the Eagles (4-2). She struck out six and walked none.
Katelyn Thompson was a defensive standout for Erwin.

North Rowan Middle’s eighth-graders rolled to a 44-0 win against Erwin.
Xavier Hailey scored three rushing touchdowns and also scored on a fumble recovery. Josh Ellis and McGwire Smith had rushing TDs. Jaden Jones ran for three conversions, and Jacob Young kicked one.
The Mavericks (2-0) are at Southeast on Wednesday.
The Pride of Salisbury Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the World Lodge No. 1774 will hold its first annual golf tournament on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Foxwood.
Register by Oct. 1.

Check-in time is 11 a.m. Shotgun start is at 1 p.m.
The cost is $45 per person or $180 for a four-man team and includes 18 holes, cart, snacks, beverages and prizes.
Call Mike Taylor at 704-224-9862 for information.
• Eighty-two members played in the third round of the annual GARS tournament at Warrior.
Don Bishop made a hole-in-one on No. 3 and shot under his age.
Low ‘A’ Flight player with a net of 62.96 was Clyde Crawford.
Low ‘B’ Flight player with a net of 59.83 was Ross Howard.
Low ‘C’ Flight player with a net of 60.67 was Harry Agner. Low ‘D’ Flight player with a net of 62.23 was Doug Lingle.
Appalachian State’s Lily Yatawara (Salisbury) shot 85-82 — 167 and finished 67th in the Great Smokies Intercollegiate.