A different kind of red vs. blue showdown will take place this weekend in Hickory.
This battle will be for football supremacy in the South Atlantic Conference’s Piedmont Division, with a possible berth in the league title game on the line.
No. 12-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (7-1, 5-1) will host the Wingate Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1) in a high-stakes showdown. The winner will take sole possession of first place with only two weeks remaining in the regular season. The game starts at 1 p.m. and will be streamed live for free on FloFootball.
Lenoir-Rhyne enters the game on a three-game winning streak, showcasing a strong passing attack led by quarterback Jalen Ferguson and a formidable defense that ranks 16th nationally in total defense. Wingate, on a four-game win streak, counters with one of the nation’s stingiest stopping units, allowing just 210.3 yards per game. Led by defensive powerhouse Marquise Fleming, the Bulldogs’ defense ranks fourth nationally and is known for shutting down opponents’ scoring opportunities.
Both teams are also featured in the NCAA Division II Super Region rankings, underscoring the game’s impact on potential postseason bids. With both programs under new head coaches—Doug Socha for Lenoir-Rhyne and Rashaan Jordan for Wingate—this game not only carries championship weight but also marks a new chapter in this longstanding rivalry.
10 Things to Know About Wingate vs. Lenoir-Rhyne:
- Championship Implications – The winner will take sole possession of first place in the SAC Piedmont Division, with a chance to secure a spot in the SAC Championship in a few weeks against the Mountain Division champ.
- National Rankings – Lenoir-Rhyne is ranked No. 12 in the D2 coaches poll and No. 16 by D2Football.com, while Wingate is unranked (though maybe they should be since the teams have similar resumes).
- Recent Form – Wingate has won four straight games, and Lenoir-Rhyne has won its last three, making both teams hot heading into this matchup.
- Top Defenses – Wingate ranks fourth nationally in total defense, allowing only 210.3 yards and 10.8 points per game, while Lenoir-Rhyne ranks 16th, surrendering just 264.3 yards and 16.6 points per game.
- Quarterback Comparison – Lenoir-Rhyne’s Jalen Ferguson ranks second in the SAC with 254.9 passing yards per game, while Wingate’s Brooks Bentley ranks fourth with 183.6 yards per game.
- Defensive Standouts – Wingate’s Marquise Fleming leads the nation in tackles for loss with 14.5 this season, while Lenoir-Rhyne’s Chris Brown has four interceptions, helping the Bears rank third nationally in total interceptions.
- Offensive Firepower – Wingate averages 28.8 points per game, ranking fourth in the SAC, while Lenoir-Rhyne scores 27.6 points per game, ranking sixth in the conference.
- First-Year Head Coaches – Both teams are led by first-year head coaches, with Doug Socha for Lenoir-Rhyne and Rashaan Jordan for Wingate, yet both teams have found success in the SAC under new leadership.
- Historic Rivalry – This is the 40th all-time meeting, with Lenoir-Rhyne holding a 24-15 series lead, including memorable clashes like last year’s 34-30 Wingate victory in which the Bulldogs scored the winning points in the final minute.
- Playoff Implications – Both teams are listed in the initial NCAA Division II Super Region rankings, highlighting their potential for postseason play, with this game serving as a critical matchup for playoff positioning.
