Two schools dealing with challenges from Hurricane Helene will try and put those struggles in the rearview mirror and play this afternoon at Setzler Field.
Today we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month as we embrace all our neighbors and cultures here in Newberry County.

Both teams had to cancel games last week, for the Wolves (1-2, 1-0) it was a home game against UVA Wise and for Mars Hill (0-2, 0-1) it was a contest against Wingate.

Live Stats

Live Video

Tickets

Inside the Wolves:  The Wolves are coming off an impressive 50-20 road thumping of Tusculum two weeks ago in Greeneville, Tenn.
Senior Reed Charpia started his first game at quarterback for the Wolves and completed 13 of 17 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown.  In two games this season, the former Brookland-Cayce High School star has accounted for 506 yards of total offense and four touchdowns.  His father, Rusty, was his high school coach and his grandfather, also named Reed, was the head coach at Newberry College from 1978 through 1981 recording a record of 21-20 including seasons of 7-3 and 6-4 his first two seasons as head coach.  Charpia took over for the legendary Fred Herren in 1978.

The Wolves defense also had a big game at Tusculum, holding the Pioneers to just 251 yards of total offense, recorded a safety and an interception and stopped them on a fourth down in the first quarter that led to an eventual field goal.

Senior Chucky Roach (Sumter) leads the team in tackles with 18 including two for loss while senior defensive end Colby Taylor (Summerville) has seven tackles for loss including three quarterback sacks.

Senior kicker Bryce Early (Anderson Westside) has been a star so far this season.  He has made four of five field goals and 14 of his 18 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks. 

The Wolves offensive line has been solid all season, allowing just one quarterback sack which came off a bad snap back to the quarterback against Valdosta State.

Wolves stats

Wolves roster

Inside the Lions:  Mars Hill is 0-2, but their two losses, just like the Wolves have been to powerhouses falling to Delta State (#20) and Lenoir-Rhyne (#6) at home.
Quarterback JR Martin completed 14 of 27 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown in the 29-21 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne.  The Lions only had 173 yards of total offense against the Bears, but jumped out to a 21-10 lead early the in the third quarter before Lenoir-Rhyne scored the final 19 points.  He was 22 for 39 for 197 yards and two scores in the loss to Delta State in the season opener.

Lions stats

Lions roster

The series:  Mars Hill leads the all-time series 34-17, but the last five meetings dating back to 2018 have been decided by a combined 21 points.  The last meeting in Newberry came in the South Atlantic Conference championship game in 2022 which the Wolves won 27-24 on a fourth down touchdown grab by Tommy Washington with 2:45 left in the contest.  Last year the Wolves drove to the Lion four-yard in the final minute but failed to score in a 21-14 defeat.  Another game was decided in double overtime in 2021 (28-22, Mars Hill).  The Lions have won 11 of the last 15 meetings.

Head Coaches:  Todd Knight is in his 16th year at the helm of the Newberry program in 2024 season, having made his mark as the most successful coaches in program history. His 94-70 overall record makes him the winningest coach in school history.
Tim Clifton is entering his 28th season at Mars Hill University and has a career record at Mars Hill of 143-139. The 143 wins place Clifton second in all-time wins of all SAC head coaches. He has recorded 75 conference victories that also places him second in that category among all-time SAC head coaches.

Up Next:  Newberry travels to Lenoir-Rhyne next Saturday while Mars Hill returns home to host Carson-Newman.