Carson-Newman football looks to continue winning ways at Newberry
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman football takes to Newberry’s Setzer Field for a contest with the Wolves that could have major Division II playoff implications. The Eagles (2-0) and Wolves (3-0) are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the South Atlantic Conference and Super Region Two.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman football takes to Newberry's Setzer Field for a contest with the Wolves that could have major Division II playoff implications.
The Eagles (2-0) and Wolves (3-0) are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the South Atlantic Conference and Super Region Two.
"We have to prepare for this game in the right way by doing the little things," starting quarterback Brandon Haywood (Rockmart, Ga.) said. "The hype will take care of itself. I'm not too concerned about the hype, I just want to go out and execute (the game plan) to the best we can."
The game features all three SAC Players of the Week. The special teamer of the week suits up for C-N in kicker Curt Duncan (Morristown, Tenn.). Newberry can boast of offensive player of the week and quarterback W.T. Murden. Murden set career highs for completions, attempts, yardage and touchdowns in a 35-28 victory over Catawba. He also completed passes to 11 different receivers.
On the other side of the line of scrimmage is reigning defensive player of the week Alstevis Squirewell. The reserve defensive end rumbled 41 yards after picking off a pass for the game-clinching touchdown for Newberry against Catawba. He also contributed three tackles.
Carson-Newman head coach Ken Sparks said the Wolves had loads of speed across the field, but it's still C-N that needs to take care of itself.
"We line up again this week with a bunch of people who aren't there (because of injury)," Sparks said. "It's been a tough week for us in terms of preparation because we've had so many people missing. The key for Newberry is to make them earn what they get and not give them anything."
Neither Carson-Newman nor Newberry have given opposing teams much of anything on the young season. Carson-Newman is third in the nation in turnover margin per game while Newberry is fourth. The Eagles are plus six for the year with the Wolves plus eight.
"Turnovers are the great equalizer," Sparks said. "Leoir-Rhyne laid a few on the ground and we knocked a few on the ground, but that took away some of their strengths with the turnover margin. We've just got to get a lot of things done this week to get this one."
The Wolves have given up more yards than they've gained this season, but the opportunistic nature of Newberry's defense has kept points off the scoreboard. The Wolves have outscored opponents by an average of 12 points a game this season. A big reason for that is leading tackler and week one SAC Defensive Player of the Week Apollo Stretch.
"Stretch it seems like has been all-conference for seven or eight years," Sparks said with a laugh. "They are well coached and don't make many mistakes, the key is to not help them any."
The Eagles will counter with a rushing attack that leads the nation with more than 390 yards a game and features four of the top six rushers in the SAC in Brandon Baker (Miami, Fla.), Brandon Haywood (Rockmart, Ga.), Andy Hibbett (Corryton, Tenn.) and Tyron Douglas (Clover, S.C.).
The Eagles and Wolves kick off from Setzer Field at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Coverage on the Coca-Cola Eagles Sports Network begins at 5:30 p.m. Eagle fans can tune in on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville) and ESPN Radio The Zone (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) or by logging on at cneagles.com.
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