Salisbury’s two Division II college football programs provided plenty of highlights and positive storylines during the 2025 season.
- Catawba improved its win total from three to seven, knocked off eventual conference champion and Division II semifinalist Newberry, and earned its best overall record (7-4) since 2017.
- Livingstone led the nation in tackles-for-loss per game, produced an All-America edge rusher in Kenyon Garner and battled to a .500 record.
The two crosstown rivals began the march toward 2026 with a controlled scrimmage Friday night at Catawba’s Shuford Stadium. No score was kept, and much of the night involved situational drills and quick whistles.
While the format offered more evaluation than answers, a few key questions emerged for both programs as they look ahead to the 2026 season.
Who directs the Catawba offense?
The Indians featured one of the most prolific offenses in the South Atlantic Conference a year ago, averaging 35.8 points and 459.5 yards per contest. The trigger man was quarterback Preston Brown, a Harlon Hill Award nominee who threw for 2,755 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Brown, a former West Mecklenburg High standout, entered the transfer portal in January. Catawba rotated two quarterbacks during Friday’s scrimmage, both returnees to the program:
- Mason Fortune: Millbrook High alum who has seen action in seven games over the past two seasons, completing 67-of-109 passes for 747 yards and four touchdowns.
- Carson Black: Charlotte 49ers transfer with no offensive statistics in two seasons with the Indians.
Whoever ultimately wins the job will be tasked with maintaining one of the league’s most productive offenses in head coach Tyler Haines‘ fourth season at the helm. But with Brown’s experience and production gone, the position remains one of the biggest question marks facing Catawba heading into the 2026 season.
Brown remains uncommitted as of April 19 after posting last week that the NCAA had officially approved his waiver for an additional season of eligibility. His recruitment will be one to watch in the coming weeks, as Division II and Division I programs look to add an experienced quarterback coming out of spring.
Who’s next in the Livingstone defensive pipeline?
The Blue Bears essentially fielded a Division I-caliber defensive front in 2025. The leader of the unit, edge rusher Kenyon Garner, transferred to Florida Atlantic in the offseason. Linemen Jordan-Lebron Downey (New Mexico State) and David Jones (Mississippi Valley State) also made the jump to Division I programs, along with defensive back Dallas Johnson (South Alabama).
Head coach Sean Gilbert dipped into Florida for a number of transfers to rebuild the defense. He also added Division III All-American edge rusher Travis Burton from Guilford College. Burton recorded 26.5 tackles-for-loss and 12 sacks in 2025 — production that mirrors the disruption Garner created last season.
Livingstone has embraced its place in the broader college football landscape, promoting itself as a developmental pipeline to Division I programs. If the Blue Bears’ retooled defense can approach its 2025 production, that could spell headaches for the rest of the CIAA.
Can Livingstone take the next step in the CIAA?
Gilbert has steadily elevated Livingstone’s program since his debut season as head coach in 2021. The Blue Bears are .500 in CIAA play over the past three seasons, and the 2024 team finished 6-4 — the program’s best mark since Ruby Abrams’ 7-4 squad in 1998.
Gilbert and his staff have embraced the transfer portal and the program’s role as a developmental pipeline, particularly for defensive standouts moving to Division I programs. Multiple 2025 defenders landed on FBS and FCS rosters during the most recent portal cycle.
Now, can Livingstone take the next step and work itself into CIAA championship contention?
Johnson C. Smith is the new king of the conference, while Fayetteville State remains a consistent contender. Winston-Salem State, under new leadership, is also aiming to reemerge in the title conversation.
Still, Gilbert has engineered wins over all three North Carolina conference rivals in recent seasons, including an upset of JCSU in 2024 that derailed the Golden Bulls’ championship and playoff hopes.
If Livingstone can rebuild its defense and continue developing offensively, the Blue Bears will once again be a gritty opponent no one wants to face in 2026.
Can Catawba build on last year’s breakthrough?
Beyond the quarterback position, Catawba enters 2026 looking to build on one of the program’s most significant turnarounds in recent memory but having to replace several key pieces. The Indians more than doubled their win total last fall, finishing 7-4 and knocking off eventual SAC champion Newberry along the way.
In Friday’s scrimmage setting, Catawba appeared the more settled of the two teams, showing continuity during team periods and generally controlling the flow of drills against Livingstone.
The challenge now is sustaining that momentum. With key production to replace and expectations rising, the Indians will need to prove that last season was not a one-year blip, but another step in a consistent push toward the top of the SAC.
What’s next for college football in Salisbury?
Catawba and Livingstone won’t meet on the field in 2026 — their last matchup came in 2023, a 55-15 win for the Indians — but both programs will open the new season on the same day.
Each team is scheduled for a Week 0 kickoff on Saturday, Aug. 29. Catawba travels to Ferrum, while Livingstone hosts Allen University.
The early schedule offers immediate tests. Catawba returns home the following week to face North Greenville, the defending Conference Carolinas champion, while Livingstone travels to Virginia Union, the 2024 CIAA champion.
Both programs enter the fall at pivotal points — Catawba looking to build on last year’s breakthrough, and Livingstone working to retool after significant offseason turnover.
Follow both teams throughout the 2026 Division II season at NC Football News.
👉 View Catawba’s 2026 football schedule
👉 View Livingstone’s 2026 football schedule
