Football Preseason Preview: Mars Hill

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western's 2015 football opponents.

Coming off the 2014-15 season tied for a second-place finish in the Southern Conference, the Catamounts open the 2015 schedule by hosting mountain neighbor, Mars Hill Lions, on Saturday, Sept. 5th on Labor Day weekend.


In addition to celebrating Catamount Club Day, WCU will also hold its 5th Annual Freshmen Run & Military Appreciation Day in conjunction with the season-opener. Don't forget the fireworks after the game as the Western sky will be illuminated with fireworks to open the 82nd season of WCU football.


Mars Hill Lions

Courtesy WCU athletics     

When:  Saturday, September 5th at 7 pm

Where: E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Cullowhee, NC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV/video: SoCon Digital Network

Series history: In the 22 meeting between these two football teams, Western leads the series, 15-5-1 overall. The first game played was in Western's inguinal football season, 1931. The Cats lost that game, 33-0 in Cullowhee. The two teams last game in the series was 2013, and the Cats have won 15 straight.


Head Coach: Tim Clifton is in his 23d season at Mars Hill. During his tenure at Mars Hill, the Lions have a 115-106 (.520) record. The Lions are 129-100-1 at home in 48 years at Meares Stadium. Clifton has recorded 15 winning seasons in 22 years as the head coach for the Lions. Clifton has the most wins by any Mars Hill head coach and picked up his 100th career victory in 2011. After the win over Brevard College in 2006 (55-0), Clifton moved into second position in all-time coaching victories by SAC coaches.

Game Notes:      Western Carolina (when available)                          Mars Hill

Last year’s record: 4-6, 3-4 in South Atlantic Conference  (NCAA Div II)

Last Game vs. Mars Hill  (Sep. 21 2013):  Mitchell, Benson Tally Trio of Fourth Quarter TDs in Comeback Win - Junior wide receiver Karnorris Benson hauled in three, fourth quarter touchdown receptions as Western Carolina rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final frame to upend the Mars Hill Lions, 30-23, on a soggy Saturday afternoon at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

Offensive Formation: Multiple

Defensive Formation: Multiple 8-man front

Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:  10 / 1

Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:  7 / 4

Who does the Lions play prior to Western:  This is Mars Hills first game of the season.

Seven Lions earned All-Conference honors from the 2014 season, with Keshaun Taylor claiming Freshman of the Year honors. In his first collegiate season, Taylor caught 32 passes for 626 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor also returned 12 kickoffs for268 yards with an average of 22.3 yards per return. Denzell Goode earned first team accolades at offensive line. Jamel Harbison earned second team honors at running back. Harbison ran for 1,204 yards on 227 carries with nine touchdowns. Marquez Williams was named to the second team at tight end. Williams caught seven passes for 100 yards and had one rushing touchdown. Christiaan Davis claimed second team defensive lineman honors after a 52 tackle, two sack season.

2014 Mars Hill Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 1899 yards or 190 yards per game
Yards per rush: 4.4
TDs rushing:  18
Passing Offense: 2150 yards or 214 yards per game
Passing Comp-Att-Int:  151-308-19
Total Offense: 4049 yards or 405 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost:  20 - 9
Penalties-Yards:  63 - 558 yards
3rd Down Conversions:   68 of 151 or 45%
4th Down Conversions:  10 of 24 or 42%
Field Goals - Attempts:  8 of 10 or 80%
Red-Zone Scores:  34 of 45 (76%)
Red-Zone Touchdowns: 36 of 45 ( 58%)
Punts (No. Yards):  38 (1428)
Avg, per punt:  37.6

South Atlantic Conference Football Preseason Poll
1. Lenoir-Rhyne – 55 points (6 1st-place votes)
2. Carson-Newman – 51 (2 1st place)
3. Newberry – 39
4. Catawba – 37
5. Tusculum – 30
T6. Mars Hill – 27
T6. Wingate – 27
8. Brevard – 14

Mars Hill Players to watch - RB-Jamel Harbison; RB-Shaikel Davis; WR-Keshaun Taylor; OL-Joe Hillan; FB-Marquez Williams; DL-Christiaan Davis; DL-Johnny Maxey; DB-Trey Clark


A total of seven Mars Hill were named to the 2015 South Atlantic Conference preseason All-Conference teams. Running backs Shaikel Davis and Jamel Harbison, tight end Marquez Williams and defensive lineman Christiaan Davis earned first team honors. Shaikel Davis led the league in 2013 with 1,254 rushing yards, but missed the 2014 campaign due to injury. In his first season with the Lions, Harbison finished with 1,250 rushing yards and nine touchdowns with a season-high 290 yards against Brevard on October 13. Williams, a second team All-SAC selection in 2014, caught seven passes for 100 yards and had a rushing touchdown. Christiaan Davis made 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and recorded two sacks while earning All-SAC and Don Hansen All-Super Region honors. Reigning SAC Offensive Freshman of the Year Keyshaun Taylor earned a spot as a wide receiver on the second team. Taylor caught 32 passes for 626 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned 12 kickoffs for 268 yards. Offensive lineman Joe Hillin joins Taylor on the second team. Hillin was part of an offensive line that allowed the Lions to have the second best passing attack in the SAC with an average of 215 yards per game. Defensive lineman Johnny Maxey earned second team accolades. Maxey made 16 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss last season.

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