JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — With three games left in the regular season, the Carson-Newman football team finds itself in a familiar position.
After last week's 34-27 victory over Mars Hill, the Eagles (5-3) moved into a four-way tie for first place in the South Atlantic Conference standings at 3-1 with the Lions, Wingate and Catawba. A win in each of the next three contests would give C-N at least a share of its 22nd SAC crown.
However, C-N head coach Ken Sparks was quick to point out that three talented opponents are standing in the Eagles' way with two of those matchups on the road, beginning this week at Newberry (3-4, 2-2). Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Setzler Field in Newberry, S.C.
"They are a very talented football team," said Sparks, whose team defeated Newberry 23-20 in a torrential downpour last season at Burke-Tarr Stadium. "They've played some good opposition and have played them tough. We will have to play well. (Mars Hill) was a good win. It was a game where we had to overcome ourselves so many times because we never could close the deal. We are a growing football team and are still trying to mature. It's coming a lot slower than I would like it to come. Hopefully, we will keep making progress."
If the Eagles want to remain in the hunt for the SAC title on Saturday against Newberry, they must continue to gain momentum on offense. After struggling to 136 yards on the ground in its loss to UNC Pembroke, C-N has rebounded to average 356 yards rushing in SAC play, including 391 yards against Mars Hill. The Eagles are currently third in the nation in rushing offense, averaging 300.4 yards per contest.
"I think we've kept going forward the last few weeks, but not in all phases of the game," Sparks stated. "I hope that we play the best that we can play and try to keep improving just one day at a time. We've still got a lot of work to do."
Defensively, the Wolves have had problems shutting down the run at times this season and rank sixth in the conference in run defense, giving up an average of 166 yards per game. Newberry is seventh in total defense with an average of 418.7 yards per game.
Leading the way for Newberry has been senior safety Ron Parker. Parker, a preseason All-American selection and the reigning SAC Defensive Player of the Year, has recorded 51 tackles, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
"They are very talented in the secondary," Sparks said. "They are a good defensive football team and are a bit like us. They haven't lived up to playing the way they want to. It seems like the last few years it's been a tossup when Carson-Newman plays Newberry."
The Wolves, who enter the contest coming off a 28-25 loss to Catawba, will showcase one of the most explosive offenses in the conference on Saturday. Newberry leads the SAC in scoring (38.7 points per game) and is second in total offense (435 yards per game).
Sophomore quarterback Bryan Ehrlich has been solid in his first season as the Wolves' starting signal caller. Ehrlich has completed 58.7 percent of his passes for 1,964 yards and 23 touchdowns. He ranks third in the SAC in passing yards per game with an average of 280.6.
Ehrlich has a pair of playmakers to throw to at receiver in senior David Pressley and junior Brandon Bostick. Pressley ranks seventh in the nation in receiving with an average of 118.4 yards per game, while Bostick is ranked 19th, averaging 104 yards per outing.
"They are as good as any in the country," Sparks said of Pressley and Bostick. "They are huge. This year big-time receivers have had field days against us."
Despite its struggles against the pass, the C-N defense has been able to come up with big plays when it had needed them most. The Eagles have intercepted eight passes the last two weeks, including four by sophomore defensive back Tarvin Jones (St. Petersburg, Fla.).
Freshman Jaycob Coleman (Norton, Va.) and sophomore Oliver Davis (Acworth, Ga.) returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns to seal the win against Catawba, while Issac Kinley (Johnson City, Tenn.) intercepted a pass at the C-N 3 in the fourth quarter to end any hope of a Mars Hill comeback last week.
"The defense has bent and has broke a few times but they've snapped back," Sparks said. "And that's been the key. They continue to find ways to make a play to help us win."
Saturday will be the 45th meeting between C-N and Newberry. The Eagles lead the all-time series 27-17, with the home team winning the last four meetings.
