A large poster of Jordan Terrell greeted visitors at the main gate of Barton College’s Truist Stadium before Saturday’s spring game, highlighting one of the Bulldogs’ most accomplished football players.
Terrell, who finished his Barton career this past fall, led NCAA Division II in all-purpose yardage per game (174.8) and was among the leaders in all of NCAA in total rushing (1732 yards). He made several all-conference, all-region and all-American lists and was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy given to the best D2 player in the nation.
Once inside Truist Stadium, after passing by the impressive poster, the reality hits that Terrell is now part of Barton’s football history, not its present or future. One of the “founding fathers” of a program revived under coach Chip Hester’s leadership in 2020-21, Terrell and other standouts like linebacker Shane Perry, center Alex Buschow, quarterback Jaquan Lynch and wide receiver Kameron Johnson have moved on to other ventures.
The spring game marked the unveiling of the new look Bulldogs, with many less familiar faces playing a full four quarters and scrapping with high energy to the final whistle. The White team edged the Blue squad 7-6, while many from Barton’s latest incoming recruiting class watching on.
DaKauri Davis (Garner HS) scored on a long run for the White squad, with Jack Welch (Apex HS) providing the key extra point. Jayden Flood-Brown (Newport News, Va. / Louisburg College) caught an acrobatic TD pass from the Blue squad in the second half, though the White defense stopped a two-point play.
–> READ MORE: “Lots of new faces, open spots as Bulldogs wrap up spring practice” (Wilson Times)
Barton, which finished 6-5 a year ago, also unveiled its 2024 schedule during Saturday’s spring game. The Bulldogs will play two non-conference contests this fall, both on Thursday nights, against West Virginia State (home) and Chowan (away), then will jump into a nine-game conference slate.
This will be Barton’s final season playing in the South Atlantic Conference. In 2025, the Bulldogs football team will join the school’s other athletics teams in Conference Carolinas.
The last run through the SAC will feature home games against Anderson (a new program), Lenoir-Rhyne (defending champions), Catawba and UVA Wise. The road slate will include duels at Emory & Henry, Carson-Newman, Wingate, Newberry and Limestone.
Conference Carolinas will revive football in 2025 with seven schools – Barton, Chowan and UNC Pembroke from North Carolina, along with Erskine, North Greenville, Shorter and new member Ferrum (moving up to Division II from Division III).
Barton 2024 Football Schedule
- Sept. 5 WEST VIRGINIA STATE
- Sept. 12 at Chowan
- Sept. 21 at Emory & Henry*
- Sept. 28 ANDERSON*
- Oct. 5 at Carson-Newman*
- Oct. 12 at Wingate*
- Oct. 19 LENOIR-RHYNE*
- Oct. 26 at Newberry*
- Nov. 2 CATAWBA*
- Nov. 9 at Limestone*
- Nov. 16 UVA Wise*
- * denotes South Atlantic Conference game
