When you line up against Davidson’s football offense, you know what you’re going to get: a heavy dose of the run game.
Trying to stop it has been a different story.
Since Scott Abell took over the program in 2018, the Wildcats have ranked among the top teams in the FCS — and oftentimes at any NCAA level — in rushing yards per game. That trend continued last season, as the ‘Cats churned out 3,396 yards on the ground over the course of 11 games, an average of 308.7 yards per contest — the best in FCS.
The two principle ball-carriers from that 2023 ground assault will return to lead the Davidson backfield this season. North Carolina Football News turns its FCS Spotlight today on the dynamic junior duo of Mari Adams and Mason Sheron, who combined for 1,968 yards and 28 touchdowns last fall.
Adams, who hails from Shelby (Crest HS), was one of only four ball-carriers from a North Carolina college team to eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau a year ago. He finished with 1,019 yards and 15 scores.
Sheron, from Leo, Indiana (Leo HS), narrowly missed joining Adams in the 1,000-yard club. He tallied 949 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Adams, a second-team all-conference pick, led the Pioneer Football League in touchdowns. Sheron, who garnered honorable mention all-conference, led in yards-per-rush (6.8). Sheron’s mark also broke the Davidson season record, which is saying something considering the gaudy rush numbers the school has put up the past six years.
“(They) were an incredible 1-2 punch for the Wildcats last year, and they were both only sophomores,” Brian McLaughlin wrote in a story for The Analyst profiling the top returning FCS offensive duos. “Don’t be surprised if both surpass the 1,000-yard mark in 2024 (and maybe 2025?). They were two big reasons the once struggling Wildcats posted a sixth-straight winning record (7-4).”
HERO Sports lists Adams as the best returning running back in the Pioneer Football League. He enjoyed five 100-yard games a year ago, including a monster 30-carry, 171-yard, three-touchdown effort against Butler in October. He earned PFL offensive player of the week recognition after grinding out 169 yards and four TDs against San Diego in late September.
“After rushing for more than 2,000 yards in one season at his high school, it didn’t take Adams long to rush in the four-digit range in Division I football, either,” McLaughlin wrote. “Last year he broke loose and has a chance to be a 1,000+ yard rusher in his final three seasons of college football.”
Like Adams, Sheron had five 100-yard contests last season. He found the end zone at least twice in four different games. His first-ever 100-yard effort came in the offensive showcase against San Diego. He found the end zone twice in that contest.
Davidson and its dynamic duo open the new season on the road, visiting Georgetown on Saturday, Aug. 31. The home opener — and the first official game in the brand new stadium — will come the following Saturday night against Catawba.
#2 Mari Adams
- Position: Running Back
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 210
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: Shelby
- High School: Crest HS
2023 Highlights: Started every game and became the ninth Davidson player to rush for more than 1,000 yards … Finished third in the conference in total rushing yards, third in yards-per-game (92.6) and fourth in yards-per-rush (6.21) … Eclipsed 100-plus yards against Butler, San Diego, Barton, Stetson and Morehead State.
2022 Highlights: Saw spot duty in six games as a freshman, finishing with 13 carries for 101 yards. Previewing what was to come, he averaged 7.7 yards per carry … Made the PFL honor roll.
High School Highlights: Broke Crest’s single-season rushing record as a senior, piling up 2,145 yards … Accounted for 28 touchdowns … Had a stellar hoops career in high school, scoring 1,515 points over the course of four seasons … Set the Crest record for most career assists.
#0 Mason Sheron
- Position: Running Back
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 220
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: Leo, Ind.
- High School: Leo HS
2023 Highlights: Named to the PFL’s All-Academic first team … Ranked among the league leaders in rushing TDs (2nd), rushing yards (4th) and all-purpose yards (7th) … Set a career mark with 147 rushing yards against Stetson in November. He broke off a 94-yard run for a touchdown against the Hatters … Other 100-yard rushing games came against Valparaiso, Presbyterian and Dayton. He scored three times in the win over Valpo.
2022 Highlights: Played in 11 games, carrying 18 times for 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns … Scored his first collegiate touchdown against Barton … Made the PFL academic honor roll.
High School Highlights: Rushed for 1,375 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior at Leo High. He averaged an amazing 10.9 yards per touch and 114.6 yards per game … Recorded 8.0 tackles-for-loss on the defensive side, finishing with 24 tackles.
