FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[Wild Horse Rider]

Well the Brevard pre-season outlook could be subject to change if/when the 2022 roster is posted.  The Tornados are coming off of a 6-4 season that all but the Shorter game were decided by one score.  A couple of different bounces of the ball and they may have been looking at 9-1 and a trip to the playoffs.  I am basing the following on the 2021 roster assuming everyone who was a SR left and everyone else came back.

Brevard was hit pretty hard (I think) by graduation.  On offense the SO QB should be returning as well as most of the backfield highlighted by all-conference runner, Yoder.  The starting WRs, TE, and FB are all gone but there are some receiving yards returning.  Only 2 of the 5 starters up front are slated to return.  The defense is missing all-conference performers at all levels but return 7 starters highlighted by the rising SR LBer, Naylor.  They lost their all-conference K but I believe the P will be back.

Out of conference schedule starts with D2 Shorter (historically bottom of their conference) and then Apprentice school next up.  These are followed by a matchup with Averett then the bye before conference play gets going.  They get a "tune up" game so to speak against Greensboro and then in back to back weeks host Methodist then travel to Huntingdon.  They luck out in year one and don't have to take the long road trip to Mississippi.

The last few years this program has hung their hat on the defensive side of the ball.  I see nothing that would change that in my mind.  This is certainly a top half of the conference team but I'm not sure if they have enough this season to win it.  The floor would be 6-4  and if it all breaks the Tornado's way 8-2.

[Wild Horse Rider]

Deep dive #4 the Blazers from Belhaven.  They are coming off the programs best season at 7-3.  They return a ton of talent that competed in a conference with a couple of pretty good teams in it.

On offense I believe the strength will be the OL where they return all 5 starters 3 of which were all-conference performers.  They return one of their stud RBs as well so I would think leaning on the running game will be the first order of business.  They return depth at the WR position including an all-conference TE.  The biggest question will be who replaces the QB.  There are two JRs and 2 SOs on the roster.  I watched a little of the coaches spring rap up and the competition was not settled in the spring so fall camp should have shook things out.  On defense they return an absolute monster on the DL along with 2 all-conference DBs and an all-conference LBer.

I would anticipate a 2-0 record in their OOC portion of the schedule.  Then comes the bye then 8 straight conference games (I am assuming one of those games count as an OOC game but I am not 100% sure).  They drew the short end of the stick with the top three teams on the pre-season pole occurring away from Mississippi.

I have no real knowledge but it seems like the head coach has this program pointed in the upward direction.  I would say that the floor of this team is 7-3 and the ceiling is a perfect regular season and the conference representative in the playoffs.

[Wild Horse Rider]

I'm still sorting through the other teams rosters but we have football!  Week ones matchups are as follows:

On Thursday night SVU hosts Wilmington.  Last season SVU went to Ohio and got the win in OT.  I'll take the Knights at home in regulation this time.
Also on Thursday the conference newcomer Belhaven plays instate vs a very familiar opponent in Millsaps.  Last season was lopsided and this season will likely result in the same.
Guliford and Greensboro play in the annual Soup Bowl.  The Pride tragically lost one of their players late this summer when starting RB Shy'heem Requan Khalil Clemons passed away unexpectedly.  The team rallies together and gets a big win in his memory.
Methodist avenges a bad loss from 2021 when Shenandoah comes to town.  The Monarchs offense will put up points but the thing I will be keeping an eye on is the other side of the ball.  MU wins and hopefully comfortably.
Brevard gets Shorter at home this year.  Last season Shorter got the better of the Tornados but that was aided by 4 turnovers that led to short fields and easy points.  Brevard's QB is a year older and they eliminate some of those mistakes and win at home to start the season.
Berry travels to Maryville who will be breaking in a new QB.  Berry gets back to their winning ways after a disappointing season by giving the Scotts a L on the resume.
Randy-Mac hosts NCWC under the lights in Ashland.  Randy-Mac has too much talent and wins easily.
Finally the measuring stick game for the conference.  Huntingdon welcomes Linfield from Oregon.  I think this will be a competitive game until the very end and the homefield advantage of the Alabama humidity helps but Linfield squeaks out a W.

Conference record 5-3
USAC vs ODAC 2-1
USAC vs SAA 1-1

[D O.C.]

and if they can catch the Wildcats by surprise in week one (I think Linfield is breaking in a new QB)

Truth. It's also true LINFIELD  has had 5 D3 All American quarterbacks since 2003.
It's a coveted position.

[Pat Coleman]

and if they can catch the Wildcats by surprise in week one (I think Linfield is breaking in a new QB)

Truth. It's also true LINFIELD  has had 5 D3 All American quarterbacks since 2003.
It's a coveted position.

Seven of Linfield's 22 or so D-III seasons have been with an All-American at quarterback.

[Hawks88]

Flavors has elected to take his extra year at Samford.

Thanks, Pat. Obviously not aware of that. Hopefully he does well. Not sure why they have him listed as a junior? lol

According to the participation tab in last nights box score, Fred Flavors started for Samford. Also recorded a tackle. Way to go Fred.

https://samfordsports.com/sports/football/stats/2022/-8-kennesaw-state/boxscore/12303

[D O.C.]

I just knew you were going to correct me,.PC.
Let's go Huntingdon! No injuries

[Pat Coleman]

I mean, I generally provide context when people make vague posts that could be misleading.

[Hawks88]

I just knew you were going to correct me,.PC.
Let's go Huntingdon! No injuries

And hoping the weather cooperates and we don't get any lightning. Thunderstorms possible in the forecast.

[BSCpanthers]

I just knew you were going to correct me,.PC.
Let's go Huntingdon! No injuries

And hoping the weather cooperates and we don't get any lightning. Thunderstorms possible in the forecast.

Get that big win and then bring your show to Birmingham next weekend.  Let's make next weekend be bigger than it already is.

[Ralph Turner]

Linfield 41 Huntingdon 34.

Good game Huntingdon. That should be a good result against a regionally ranked opponent.

[D O.C.]

Coulda won it, Ralph.
Good job Huntingdon

Come West

[Ralph Turner]

Coulda won it, Ralph.
Good job Huntingdon

Come West

Does Huntingdon go to McMinnville next year?

I remember when McMurry played Huntingdon 15 years ago. The trip to the Civil Rights Museum in downtown Montgomery was a highlight for the team.

[Hawks88]

Coulda won it, Ralph.
Good job Huntingdon

Come West

Does Huntingdon go to McMinnville next year?

I remember when McMurry played Huntingdon 15 years ago. The trip to the Civil Rights Museum in downtown Montgomery was a highlight for the team.

I think we were supposed to make the trip but the opportunity to play Berry in week 1 for the foreseeable future came up so it turned into a one and done. If we were to lose a conference team in the near future and get back to needing a third non-conference game again then I could see them trying to work that trip out.

[Hawks88]

Couldn't be prouder of our guys' effort but disappointed we couldn't pull that one out. Checking out the box score and as I suspected that was a very evenly played game. A play here or there goes a different way and it could have been a different outcome.
Time to work on cleaning up a few issues and get ready for a big one in B'ham next week.
Hoping for safe travels back home for the Linfield folks.

Go Hawks!