Eagles Push Toward Playoffs
Final road game at Wingate on Saturday
Michael Newsome
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Sports
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The Eagles are on the outside looking in for a shot at the playoffs. They are currently ranked fifth in the regional rankings; however, there are three teams ranked ahead of them without automatic bids for winning the conference.
In order for Carson-Newman to make the playoffs, they must win out and hope for losses by their opponents. The first step in the playoff race is defeating the Bulldogs on the road.
Tusculum leads the conference rankings with an undefeated record. If the Eagles win this week at Wingate and then beat Tusculum next week, there will be a three-way tie for first in the South Atlantic Conference, opening up many different playoff opportunities.
As the Eagles travel to North Carolina on Saturday, the playoffs are sure to be on their minds; however, they must remain focused on the game in front of them if they want to have a chance at the postseason. Whatever happens, the next two weeks in the SAC conference will be crucial, as three different teams fight for one, or possibly two, playoff positions.
Carson-Newman 52, Brevard 13
Carson-Newman gained almost 600 yards on offense en route to a 52-13 blowout victory over visiting Brevard at Burke-Tarr Stadium on Saturday, October 27.
The Eagle defense held the Brevard passing attack to only 13 yards on the day as they built a commanding lead in the first half. Touchdown runs by Ricky Harris and Dwayne Mims, along with a touchdown pass from Alex Good to James Banks put the Eagles ahead 21-0 in the first quarter. They would never relinquish this lead.
A touchdown by Clarence Goines and a 28-yard field goal by Aubrey Ingham cushioned the Carson-Newman lead at 31-0 going into halftime.
In the second half, freshman quarterback Doug Belk entered the game at half time and completed seven of 11 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Belk also scored a touchdown on the ground.
Eric Rice led the Eagle defense with four tackles, including a sack. Brandon Harmon and Derrick Parker also had four tackles each, with Harmon tallying a sack as well.
Carson-Newman 56, Lenoir-Rhyne 13
Carson-Newman continued their dominance of Lenoir-Rhyne Bears, winning their 29th straight in the series by a score of 56-13 on Saturday, October 20.
The offense rolled up 530 yards of offense led by Matt Ward, who rushed for 193 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles scored three times in a seven-minute span in the first quarter as Clarence Goines and Ricky Harris got things started.
Special teams also played well, as Elliot Tarpin blocked a Lenoir-Rhyne punt and ran it in 15 yards for a touchdown that put the game out of reach for the Bears in the first quarter.
Alex Rouse guided the Eagle offense in the second quarter with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Otis Miller and a two-yard touchdown run. A Doug Belk touchdown run made the lead 39-0 at halftime.
The Eagles would amass 49 points before the Bears finally got on the scoreboard with a field goal in the third quarter.
Defensively, Derrick Parker led the team with 4.5 tackles, while Eric Rice and Darius Wrentz each recorded a sack.
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