Coming off a 4-7 season in 2023, the Newberry Wolves football team is looking for a bounce back season. This all starts tonight.
Through fall camp, 16th-year Head Coach,
Todd Knight, is very happy with his team, particularly with the work ethic and leadership from his squad.
"I'm pleased with camp. Our kids have worked extremely hard," said Coach Knight. "Our veterans have shown up and done a great job with our leadership at this point. A couple of young kids have surprised me, but I think we're right about where I expected us to be going into this first ball game. This is a tremendous opportunity for us in the season opener against Valdosta State, a top five team in the nation."
Things do not get easier for the Wolves after Week 1. In Week 2, Newberry will host the defending NAIA National Champions, Keiser.
"We probably start against two of the top three toughest games on our schedule," said Coach Knight. "When you're going out there against Valdosta, they are a perennial powerhouse in Division 2 football. They're a nationally known program. This is one that in the past we played them a couple of times here and there. We've played them close. It's not any different than any other year."
With two great opponents right out of the gate, the underclassmen will have to gain experience fast. However, they have already begun their maturation during camp.
"I think after this Saturday, you'll say, 'that kid really showed up,"" said Coach Knight. "In the backfield,
Jonah Norris as a redshirt freshman, is going to stand out offensively for us. He has a great combination of power and speed. On defense,
Keylin Roach in the secondary, will be a major factor for us. After the first game, hopefully I'll be talking about a lot of other kids."
With a solid group of underclassmen, the offense is still led by veterans, including preseason All-SAC selections,
Dwayne Wright and
Damari Joyner.
"
Dwayne Wright, our starting tailback, was preseason all-conference. He has been just a great guy to have at camp," said Coach Knight. "His leadership really improved, and he's become a gray stripe (captain) at this point. Demari Joyner, also preseason all-conference, has had a great camp. The guy right beside him,
James Middleton, is a transfer that came in from Southern Miss. The crazy thing is all three of those guys were on the same high school football team at Fort Dorchester."
The veteran leadership is not just prevalent on offense, but also on defense. Brothers Luke and
Colby Taylor lead an experienced bunch.
"On defense, the Taylor brothers (Luke and Colby), are a staple for us," said Coach Knight. "What a great combination they are. Luke was our defensive MVP and an all-conference selection last year. Colby is an NFL prospect and going in his final year as well. Those two kids can flat out get after it, and they play the game the right way."
Above everything else, a football team must be a close-knit group to win games. The 2024 Wolves are more than that: they are a family.
"We talk about family a lot. I want us to be close and fight for each other. We've really pushed that mantra that we're in this thing together," said Coach Knight. "If you're going through trials and tribulations, then your brother beside you or coach is also going through trials and tribulations. If it's raining on your brother, it's raining on me. We're in this thing together. We're family."
Newberry College Football opens their 2024 Season at Setzler Field against #5 Valdosta State tonight at 7pm.
