This year, Brevard will play what is arguably one of the most difficult schedules in Division II football.
To kick off the season, the Tornados will travel to back-to-back road contests against Division I (FCS) opponents. The Tornados travel to both Western Carolina and Liberty, then face three teams ranked in last year’s final Division II poll in just the first five games of the season. “I don’t think there are any Division II teams in the country that open with a tougher first five games than we do,” remarked Hamilton. “We’re going to have to be a very good football team early on for this season to be successful.”
Leading the Tornados will be senior Tanner Wright (6-3, 205) as the starting quarterback. In 2013, Wright went 20-of-38 passing for 305 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in the seven games he saw playing time. He rushed for 195 yards, scoring five touchdowns.
Last season, Brevard’s triple option offense gained 258.9 rushing yards per contest, as the Tornados’ running backs gained 2,848 yards on the ground last season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. The Tornados have three capable running backs returning, led by #3 Kelvin Jeter (Slot), a preseason all-conference selection, and the go to guy for the running game. The fifth year senior is Brevard’s rushing leader with 2,520 yards. Also in the backfield is #6 Andre Overholt (Slot), who also is a kick return specialist that set a Brevard record with 1,024 kick return yards last season. Joining Jeter and Overhot in the backfield at fullback is #49 Jordan Ollis (5-10, 239), a senior and Brevard’s second-leading rusher with 786 yards in 2013.
Prospects do not look quite as good for a Brevard defense that returns just three starters from a year ago. Preseason first team all-conference #51 Michael Gruber (6-3, 240), an inside linebacker anchors a young defensive unit. Gruber is credited with 124 tackles last season, along with an interception and a fumble recovery. Defensive lineman Landon Allen (5-11, 230) the lone returning starting lineman has 98 career tackles. Junior safety Marcus Lunsford (6-3, 215), is the only returning defensive back. Lunsford had 50 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery last season.
When: Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 3:30 pm
Where: Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium
TV: The SoCon Digital Network
Radio: The Catamount Sports Network
The Series: The upcoming game will be only the second meeting between the Tornados and Catamounts. Western Carolina leads the series 1-0.
Their conference: The South Atlantic Conference (SAC) - The South Atlantic Conference is in its 38th year as a NCAA Division II conference. A forerunner of the South Atlantic Conference was the North State Atlantic Conference (NSIAC). The NSIAC was formed when the "Little Six", as it was called, broke from the North Carolina Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1930. These charter members included Lenoir-Rhyne College, Atlantic Christian, Catawba College, Guilford College, Elon College, and High Point College.
Their coach: Paul Hamilton (67-111 overall). Paul Hamilton enters his 31th year coaching collegiate football at both the Division I and Division II levels, with 16 years of experience as a head coach. Hamilton is in his eighth year at the helm of the Tornados.Last year’s record: 3-8 overall, and 2-5 in conference play
2013 Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 258.9 yards per game
Passing Offense: 56.7 yards per game
Total Offense: 315.6 yards per game
Scoring Offense: 27.7 per game
Fumbles-Lost: 18 - 9
Red-Zone Scores: (33-39) 85%
Red-Zone Touchdowns: (30-39) 7 7%
PAT-Attempts: (41-42) 98%
Prediction: WCU 56 - BC 14
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