WISE - - Two teams looking to avoid finishing last in the South Atlantic Conference meet Saturday at 12 p.m. inside Carl Smith Stadium. Catawba enters the game on a six-game losing streak, while UVa-Wise has dropped eight straight entering the game.
Prior to the game, the Cavaliers will honor seniors Bryce Harty, Buster Henderson, Rahdazz Henderson, Marquis Braimer, Tristin Sellers, Daryian Basco and Steven Hill as part of Senior Day ceremonies before the seniors and their teammates attempt to deliver the college its first SAC victory.
A week ago, sophomore Austin J. Hicks recorded a career-high 15 tackles to leapfrog teammate Marcus Tarrer for the SAC lead in tackles. Hicks now has 79 tackles, four better than Tarrer. Overall, Hicks has recorded double digit tackles in four of the last five games from his linebacker position while having posted 29 stops over the last two games.
AJ Felton Jr. continues to make big plays as well. The Alabama A&M transfer has blocked two kicks this season and has also made a pair of interceptions. Last week, Felton stole momentum from Limestone who had just recovered an onside kick with an interception near the visiting sideline. Felton is one three Cavaliers that have multiple interceptions this season.
The Indians have struggled on both sides of the ball, ranking eighth out of nine SAC teams in scoring offense and ninth in scoring defense. Overall, Catawba has lost eight consecutive conference games dating back to last season. The Indians last won a road league game on Oct. 28, 2017 when the team scored a 45-28 win at Limestone.
Wide receiver Gavin Rose has provided the bulk of the Indians' offense. Doubling as a return man, he leads the team with 400 receiving yards and 311 return yards this season.
Both schools have had difficulty staying on the field on offense. On average, opponents are winning the time of possession by nearly seven minutes per game against Catawba while schools win the time of possession against UVa-Wise by an average of six minutes and 17 seconds per game.
A win would allow the Cavs to keep alive a streak that dates back to joining the Mid-South Conference as a NAIA member. To date, the program has won at least one conference game each season, regardless of the league.
Next week, both schools wrap up the season. UVa-Wise visits UNC-Pembroke for a non-conference affair while Catawba returns home to challenge Carson-Newman for its Senior Day contest.
