WISE - -  Preseason football camp is in full swing at UVA Wise and the Highland Cavaliers are hopeful for a return to normalcy this fall as Dane Damron's squad is scheduled to play 11 games over 11 consecutive weeks beginning Sept. 4 when Virginia University Lynchburg visits Carl Smith Stadium for a 12 p.m. kickoff.

The Cavaliers are coming off a 1-2 record in an abbreviated spring campaign, but there is plenty of reason for optimism. UVA Wise lost a quadruple overtime game (40-37) to Carson-Newman University before losing in the game's final seconds (30-24) at Limestone. The contest with the Eagles was the longest in school history and the season opener provided a glimpse of the progress the program had made.

Offensive coordinator Zach Lewis saw his unit make leaps in the spring as UVA Wise averaged 33.7 points and 465 yards of offense per contest. Cavalier quarterbacks completed 66.9 percent of their pass attempts while throwing for 1,070 yards and 10 touchdowns in the abbreviated season.

Leading the offensive charge was Eastern Kentucky University transfer Caleb Martin. The wide receiver led the South Atlantic Conference with four touchdown receptions as part of a 22-catch, 261-yard season highlighted by an eight-reception, 117-yard performance against Carson-Newman. 

Behind center, Lendon Redwine fired five touchdown passes while tallying a 162.69 quarterback rating as part of a season that saw him complete 71.4 percent of his passes. The signal-caller spread the ball around plenty as he completed passes to 14 players. Four receivers hauled in at least 15 catches, including tight end Keishoen Jarrett who experienced a breakout campaign with his 16-catch, 150-yard season.

At receiver, Redwine should have plenty of options as University of Virginia transfer Dorian Goddard, Utah State transfer Devin Heckstall, and Miami (Ohio) transfer Cam Blakely join Martin as a group of four NCAA Division I transfers at the position. Third-year man JJ McNeil III has been impressive in camp, while fourth-year receivers Markel Harrison and Darrien Newton, along with redshirt sophomore Kadarius Singleton also expected to be challenge for playing time at the team's deepest position.

In the backfield, the team returns a plethora of backs who have experience. Third-year back Shaheim Revel is the team's top returning rusher as he scored a team-high two touchdowns in the spring. Jakoby Johnson is also in the mix in the backfield after he averaged six yards a rush over 12 carries, while Caleb Grant and Jaevon Gillespie also received carries in the spring. Glenville State College transfer J'Quan Anderson should also see time at tailback.

Since joining the staff, long-time offensive line coach Mike Compton may have his most experienced group. Junior college transfer Ethan Anderson is expected to be the team's team center; the 301-pounder is one of three 300 pounders who should see plenty of action on the offensive line. Roanoke, Va. product Ethan Blank checks in at 6-foot-1 and 339 pounds, and the second-year lineman should man a guard position with 6-foot-3, 315-pound junior college transfer Eaamon Sullivan at the other guard. Six-foot-3, 278-pound junior Kyle Kruszewski returns at right tackle with redshirt sophomore Daric Cotman set to play left tackle, the Richmond, Va. native is 6-foot-3, 276 pounds.

Depth should pay dividends for Compton's crew as Jae'Dairen Warren-Binion, Kert Gibson and Tommy Taylor return to the unit. West Hills Community College (Calif.) transfer Matthew Estrada is also an experienced body who can step in and play tackle with his 6-foot-2, 306-pound frame.

New defensive coordinator Matthew White returns a solid core up front led by defensive linemen Rondre Knowles-Tenner and Chavon Fields. 

A fifth-year player, Knowles-Tenner is a disruptive nose tackle. The James Madison University transfer amassed a team-leading seven sacks as part of a 38-tackle campaign in 2019. A redshirt junior, Fields is equally impressive, having tallied 35 tackles, 9.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, and 4.5 sacks in 2019. 

Chadi Abdalla, Paulie Kasteckas, Austin C. Hicks and Ammon Ivey will rotate at the defensive ends position. Each player has at least three years of experience and has made a positive impact on the field during their play.

At linebacker, redshirt junior Deandre Williams leads the unit. The middle linebacker tallied 38 stops in 2019 with 5.5 stops coming behind the line of scrimmage. For his career, Williams has amassed 85 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss. Redshirt junior Veronta Jones and redshirt freshman Xavion Washington are set to play the weak side linebacker position. Jones made 15 stops in three games last spring; seven of the tackles came in the game with Carson-Newman. Redshirt freshman Mason Polier is also in the mix at linebacker. The former Union High School standout earned his first collegiate sack as part of a seven-tackle day in a win at Mars Hill last spring.

In the secondary, Malcom Gallagher and Isaac Thompson figure to lead the way at cornerback with Eastern Kentucky University Tyson Bivins and third-year man Daquan Battle settling in a free safety. Redshirt freshman Patrick Taylor is in the mix at strong safety, with fellow redshirt freshmen Jordan Gillespie and Markel Dailey working to earn playing time at cornerback.

Third-year punter Drew Vermillion will anchor the special teams unit. Vermillion has booted eight punts of at least 50 yards during his first two seasons while landing 16 punts inside the 20-yard line. The Gate City, Va. native launched a 68-yard punt at Carson-Newman in 2019.

Jahlil Jefferson and Darrien Newton appear to be early front runners in the return game, while Drew Cassidy and Kellan Dalton are in a preseason camp battle for kicking duties.

The Cavs will play NCAA FCS member East Tennessee State University before playing eight consecutive South Atlantic Conference contests following the season opener. Homecoming is slated for Oct. 2 when Lenoir-Rhyne visits Wise. Overall, UVA Wise will play six home games, including the regular season finale when Barton College is in town on Nov. 13 for Senior Day.