The University of Virginia's College at Wise Athletics

WISE -- UVA Wise and Catawba traded the lead several times Saturday afternoon before the Catawba Indians scored twice to pull out the 41-31win over the Highland Cavaliers. It was Senior Day for the team, and the football seniors were honored before the game with the band and cheerleading seniors honored at halftime.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Results: Catawba 41, UVA Wise 31
Records: UVA Wise (2-8, 2-6); Catawba (5-5, 4-4)
Location: Wise, VA | Carl Smith Stadium

HOW IT HAPPENED
First quarter
- The Cavaliers opened with a five-play, 60-yard drive, highlighted by McCalan Beason's 37-yard run and capped by Beason's 5-yard touchdown pass to Thomas McCoy for a 7-0 lead.
- Catawba put together a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Bennett Galloway's 1-yard touchdown run, then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and moved ahead 10-7 on Francisco Garcia Rodriguez's 39-yard field goal.
- Evan Kennedy put the Highland Cavaliers back in front with a 65-yard touchdown run at 3:53, and Aiden Magee's extra point made it 14-10 before Catawba drove to the Cavs' 39 as the quarter ended.
 
Second quarter
- Catawba opened the quarter with Francisco Garcia Rodriguez's 31-yard field goal, and the Cavaliers answered when McCalan Beason's 41-yard completion to Hunter Purdue set up Aiden Magee's 29-yard field goal to make it 17-13.
- Catawba moved back ahead on its next drive, with Mason Fortune finding Jayden Jones for a 25-yard touchdown before the extra point made it 20-17.
- After a UVA Wise punt, Catawba put together a 65-yard drive that ended with Fortune's 11-yard touchdown pass to James Gilchrist, extending the margin to 27-17 after the kick.
- The Highland Cavaliers responded in 53 seconds, using completions to Thomas McCoy and Elijah Thompson before Beason hit Tre'mell Washington for a 25-yard touchdown; Magee's extra point made it 27-24.
 
Third quarter
- The Cavaliers followed an early defensive stop with an 80-yard drive, highlighted by Evan Kennedy's 38-yard run and Tre'mell Washington's 32-yard catch, before McCalan Beason scored on a 12-yard run at 10:05 and Aiden Magee's kick put the Cavs ahead 31-27.
- Letavian Adams intercepted Mason Fortune at the UVA Wise 18 to halt Catawba's next drive, but Catawba got the ball back near midfield after a punt and drove 52 yards, going back in front 34-31 on Bennett Galloway's 6-yard touchdown run and Francisco Garcia Rodriguez's kick.
- The Highland Cavaliers started their final possession at their 25 and moved across midfield behind Kennedy's 10-yard run and Beason's 21-yard completion to Jeremiah Augustin before the quarter ended with Catawba ahead 34-31.
 
Fourth quarter
- Max Hammer's 37-yard punt pinned Catawba at its 4, and the Cavaliers forced a punt before Tre'mell Washington's 13-yard return gave the Cavs the ball at the Catawba 45.
- UVA Wise could not turn the short field into points after a penalty set up third-and-19, and Catawba followed with a 12-play, 80-yard drive. Mason Fortune's 33-yard completion to Jayden Jones moved the ball to the Cavaliers' 7, and Fortune scored on a 1-yard run at 3:01 before the extra point made it 41-31.
- The Highland Cavaliers picked up one first down on their final drive, but Catawba recorded a sack, a tackle for loss and Luke Raykovicz's interception at the Catawba 49 before running out the clock to finish the 41-31 result.
 
GETTING WISE
- McCalan Beason was 12-for-22 passing for 192 yards and two TDs. He also had 71 rushing yards on 9 attempts and a rushing TD.
- Evan Kennedy rushed for 104 yards on nine attempts and scored a touchdown.
- Jalen Pickens had 15 total tackles
- Tre'mell Washington had two receptions for 57 yards and a receiving touchdown. He also had a 13-yard punt return.
- Hunter Purdue had three receptions for 65 receiving yards.
- The Cavaliers rushed for 173 yards and passed for 192, but they had 17:15 of possession to Catawba's 42:45.

UP NEXT 
The Highland Cavaliers will close out the 2026 season when they travel to Emory, Virginia, to face local rival Emory & Henry next Saturday.. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Fred Selfe Stadium.
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