Looking ahead to Mars Hill

The first in a series of looks ahead of WCU 2012 football opponents.

Game 1 - Mars Hill Lions

Date with Mars Hill: Thursday, August 30th, 8:00 p.m

Site: E.J. Whitmire Stadium (13,742 - Desso Challenge Pro 2 turf), Cullowhee, NC 

Series: WCU leads 13-5-1 (W–13) 

Head Coach: Tim Clifton (Mercer ‘76) 106-94 (19 yrs at MHC)

2011 Record: (8-4, 6-2 in SAC)

Basic Offense: Multiple

Basic Defense: Multiple

Lettermen Returning/Lost: 49 / 16

Starters Returning/Lost (O/D/S): 21(6/9/6) / 9(5/2/2)

For the second straight year, the Mountain Lions of Mars Hill College will travel to Cullowhee to meet the Catamounts in E.J. Whitmire Stadium. The Mountain Lions and Catamounts first met in 1931.

This game will mark the opening of the Mark Speir era in Catamount Football.

Last season, the Lions opened the home portion of the Catamount schedule, but this year, Mars Hill serves as the season opener for the hungry Catamounts. The Cats won last season’s game by a final score of 52-31, ultimately it was to be the lone win in a very long, 1-10 season for the Catamounts.

Meanwhile, veteran Mars Hill head coach Tim Clifton led his Lions to a 8-3 season in 2011. The Lions  won the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) championship and competed in the NCAA Division II national football playoffs. In December 2011, running back Jonas Randolph won the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy which is given each year to the best player in NCAA Division II football.

Coming off the program's first-ever selection to the NCAA Division II Football Championship, the Lions placed Tight End Josh Crumpton and defensive lineman Troy Harris on preseason all-america team honors. Crumpton earned third-team honors, Harris was an honorable mention selection.

Clifton is starting his 20th season as Mars Hill’s head coach, and begins the season owning a 106-94 record.  His Lions completed last season ranked 19th in the nation. The Lions are returning a total of 46 lettermen, including 6 starters on offense and 9 starters on defense. The Lions are sure to be in the race for another conference title in 2012.

Senior Jon Richt (6-2 / 210lbs) returns to lead Mars Hill as the starting quarterback. While all-everything running back Jonas Randolph has graduated, sophomore running back Shaikel Davis will sholder the weight of the running game this season. In 2011, Davis played in 9 games, averaging 41 yards per game, at 8.5 yards per carry. Richt also has returning two wide receivers that are his favorite passing targets. Sophomore Dimitri Holmes averaged 78 yards per game, and  senior Josh Young averages 59 yards per game.

Coming off a share of the SAC title in 2011 and the program's first-ever selection to the NCAA Division II Football Championship, the Lions placed Tight End Josh Crumpton and defensive Troy Harris on preseason all-america teams. Crumpton earned third-team honors, Harris was an honorable mention selection.

Five Lions earned First-Team All-Conference honors on the 2012 SAC football preseason All-Conference Team, while three were placed on the second team. First-Team Offense members included wide receiver Dimitri Holmes and offensive lineman Nick Allison. First-Team Defense members included defensive lineman Troy Harris, linebacker Rudy Cabral and defensive back Marvin James. Quarterback Jon Richt, offensive lineman Neal Dwyer and defensive lineman Mam Nyang all earned second-team honors.

Expect this to be a very emotional game for the Lions, one they will expect to be competitive with the Catamounts at home, and ruin Coach Speir's head coaching debut.