Wingate has built one of the stingiest defenses in Division II football this season under new head coach Rashaan Jordan, who ascended to his current role after being defensive coordinator for more than 15 years.
The Bulldogs, which went 10 quarters without giving up a point over the span of three games, held Limestone to 38 rushing yards in Saturday’s 38-12 road win. Both of Limestone’s touchdowns came late during garbage time.
The Saints had been averaging 39.3 points per game. Quarterback Dustin Noller was held to a season low 194 passing yards.
Kai Russell, a junior from Charlotte (Olympic HS), led the way for the ‘Dogs and collected SAC defensive player of the week honors. Russell had six tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks and a blocked kick.
Coming out of week eight, Wingate ranks second nationally (D2) in rushing defense (56.3 ypg), third in total defense (205.5 ypg), seventh in scoring (10.33 ppg) and seventh in tackles-for-loss (9.1/game).
The Bulldogs are winning the turnover margin (+9) and are tied for first in D2 in red zone defense: allowing one rushing TD, 2 passing TDs and three field goals in 12 opponent trips inside their 20.
Marquise Fleming, who also played at Charlotte’s Olympic High,leads D2 nationally in tackles-for-loss with 2.2 per game. He also has six sacks. Six different Bulldogs have intercepted passes this season, while the ‘Dogs have recovered eight fumbles.
Wingate (5-1, 3-1 SAC) hosts Catawba (2-5, 1-4) this week.
The Bulldogs are on a collision course with SAC rival Lenoir-Rhyne, with conference title aspirations on the line for both squads. The teams meet on the field on Saturday, Nov. 2 in Hickory.
Bears Blank Barton
Lenoir-Rhyne (6-1, 4-1) pitched a 20-0 shutout at Barton in its most recent outing. The Bears proved stingy on defense in their own right, stalling Barton’s offense to the tune of 89 rushing yards and 32 passing yards.
Lenoir-Rhyne picked off three passes in the game, including one by Anthony Hightower Jr. that he returned 64 yards. The Bears rank 12th nationally in total defense (248.4 ypg), 13th in passing defense (146.1 ypg) and 21st in scoring defense (16.29 ppg).
It is Lenoir-Rhyne’s turn to contend with Limestone and QB Noller this week. If the Bears can get through that game unscathed, next week’s showdown with visiting Wingate could be for a spot in the conference title game against the Mountain Division champ.
Wingate was the only team to beat Lenoir-Rhyne in the regular season a year ago, winning a wild 34-30 decision in late October when the Bears were ranked No. 7 in the nation. Bulldog quarterback Brooks Bentley finished that contest with 335 yards passing and three touchdowns, including the 75-yard game-winner to Evan McCray with 50 seconds left.
Kings of The Hill
Mars Hill joined the defensive hit parade this past weekend, holding Tusculum to a field goal in a 30-3 win at home. The Lions outgained their guests 382-104. Tusculum ran the ball 32 times and finished with 32 rushing yards.
Dexter Fitzpatrick and Steven Reid led the charge on defense, finishing with 9 and 8 tackles, respectively. Fitzpatrick had a sack and four quarterback hurries. Cherron Holt had a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown midway through the first period that put Mars Hill up 13-0.
Offensively, quarterback JR Martin accounted for three touchdowns, all on the ground. Lon Teachey booted a field goal.
Mars Hill (2-3, 2-2) competes in the Mountain Division and is likely out of the division title chase as Carson-Newman (7-0, 5-0) and Emory & Henry (6-1, 4-1) have taken charge. The Lions travel to UVA Wise on Saturday and then will host Emory & Henry on Nov. 2.
The Juice Is Loose
Juice Martin of Catawba earned South Atlantic Conference special teams player of the week. He had two interceptions in Saturday’s loss to Newberry, including an 89-yard return for a touchdown when a Wolves’ field goal attempt went awry. Martin also had a 28-yard INT return in the game.
Teammate Evan Simmons collected three tackles-for-loss against Newberry, resulted in 13 negative yards.
Turner Hits Double Century Mark
Catawba’s LJ Turner has the top single-game rushing performance in the state this season, amassing 329 yards and five touchdowns in week six against Anderson.
Turner was up to his old tricks Saturday, bulling his way for 213 yards and two scores against Newberry. He got loose on a 75-yard touchdown run and averaged 8.2 yards per attempt.
For the season Turner has four touchdown runs of 60-plus yards, scoring from 61, 70, 75 and 80 yards across four different games. He leads the SAC in rushing, averaging 152.6 yards per game.
Barton’s Triple Threat
Barton had three defenders record at least 10 tackles in Saturday’s game against Lenoir-Rhyne. Ja’Correy Bible and Dereck Barringer each finished with 15 stops. Mike Webb made 11 tackles.
Barton will travel to Newberry this Saturday.
