Highland Cavaliers Place Seven on Mid-South First Team

November 14, 2007

Wise, Va. – The 14th-ranked University of Virginia’s College at Wise Highland Cavalier football team placed seven players on the Mid-South Conference East Division first team announced on Wednesday afternoon.

The East Division co-champs (9-2) saw All-Americans offensive tackle Henry Potter (Va. Beach, Va.) and running back Ra’Shad Morgan (Chesterfield, Va.) led the honorees  in the program’s second-highest win total in a season.  The two veterans were joined by slot back Jason Lovett (Fredericksburg, Va.), wide receiver Matt Barbour (Brookneal, Va.), defensive lineman Reggie Dorsainvil (Va. Beach, Va.), linebacker Ben Robertson (Morehead City, NC) and defensive back James Haley (Gladys, Va.).  Quarterback Randy Hippeard (Stafford, Va.) and defensive back Brandon Moore (Bristow, Va.) gained honorable mention status.

Morgan, the 2006 Mid-South East Offensive Player of the Year, produced another stellar campaign.  The senior out of Meadowbrook High led the nation with 17.4 points per game while second in rushing yards per contest at 148.5 and fourth in all-purpose (178.1 yds/gm).  He ran for 1,485 yards on 253 carries and 27 scores while catching 34 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns.

Potter, who was a first teamer in 2006 as well, anchored the line for the NAIA’s second-ranked scoring offense (49.5 points per game) and third-rated total offense (515.5 yds/gm).  The senior from Salem High helped the Cavs score 544 points in 11 regular season games and have the third best passing attack (331.1 yds/gm).

Sophomores Lovett and Barbour were the UVa-Wise top two wide outs.  Lovett set three single season school records with 74 receptions for 1,058 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns.  His 1,058 yards made him the first 1,000-yard pass catcher in the program’s 17-year history.  The Massaponax High product also passes two times with both going for touchdowns covering 92 yards.

Barbour made his second first team appearance in two years.  He pulled in 52 balls for 898 yards and five scores and has totaled 100 receptions for 1,627 yards and nine scores the past two seasons.

Senior defenders Dorsainvil and Robertson paced the Cavs’ defense and make return appearances on the all-league squad.  Dorsainvil paced the unit with 17 tackles for loss of 69 yards and 6.5 sacks.  He was second with 79 stops and picked off one pass. 

Robertson, the school’s second all-time leading tackler, posted 124 tackles, eighth most in the NAIA at 11.3 per contest.  Ben added 12.5 tackles for loss of 52 yards and six sacks for 39 yards to go with two interceptions including one for a touchdown.

Haley received his first all-conference honors.  The sophomore from William Campbell High earned Mid-South Defensive Player of the Week two times.  The strong safety had 45 solo tackles, most on the team, and 74 total stops.  He added five tackles for loss, a sack, two fumble recoveries, which he returned one for a score and team-high seven pass breakups.  Haley also blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown last week at West Virginia Tech.

The NAIA’s leader in pass efficiency (172.8), Randy Hippeard made his second listing on the all-conference teams.  The junior was also second in the nation in passing yards (3,455 yds) and total offense (319.2 yds/gm) while third in passing yards per game (314.1 yds/gm).  Hippeard shattered all of the UVa-Wise passing marks where he completed 226 of 359 attempts for 37 touchdowns to just nine interceptions covering 3,455 yards.  He also ran for 56 yards on 26 attempts and two scores.  The Colonial Forge High grad had his high numbers against North Greenville of 32 completions in 48 attempts for 564 yards and six touchdowns.

Senior Brandon Moore rounded out the Cavs’ honored.  Moore returned to the honorable mention squad after having 52 tackles, 37 solo, two tackles for loss, five breakups and an interception.  He also returned 28 kick offs for 631 yards and an 88-yard touchdown as well as 16 punt returns covering 136 yards.