Great Anticipation for 2008 Cavs Gridiron Season

August 20, 2008

The anticipation for a gridiron season on the campus of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise has never been greater. The Highland Cavaliers are fresh off the football program’s first Mid-South East Division crown, ranked 14th in the final NAIA poll and a 9-2 overall record, the second most victories in school history.

Even with all the success of the past two years’ combined 17-5 record, the 2008 Cavs have some ‘unfinished business’ of truly breaking back onto the NAIA national scene. Last year’s edition felt the sting of being ranked high enough to make the 16-team NAIA playoffs but ended as the last team was left without a playoff invitation.

In his seventh-year, head coach Bruce Wasem will see his Cavs start the year rated 14th in the NAIA Football Top 25 Coaches' Poll. The coach will turn to his field general in senior quarterback Randy Hippeard to lead his roster filled with 55 returning players.

PERFORM WELL EARLY TO SET UP FOR ROAD RANKED OPPONENTS LATER

After breaking through with quality seasons the past two years, UVa-Wise will not sneak up on any opponent any longer. The nationally-rated Cavs will now have to work all the harder as a result to keep building on what has been accomplished.

The team’s opening two contests on the road will be against 2009 Mid-South new member Kentucky Christian and at Newport News Apprentice, the home area of many of the team’s players. The remaining nine games will be against Mid-South members including hosting Lambuth, who UVa-Wise is 0-7 all-time, along with treks to both 16th-ranked Georgetown College and 22nd-rated University of the Cumberlands while both Cumberland and Campbellsville both received votes in the poll.

HIPPEARD SET FOR BIG FINAL YEAR

Over the past three years, Hippeard has set every Cavs passing record in just 30 games of action. The senior has passed for 8,003 yards and 73 scores.

The All-American has grown every year and led the NAIA in pass efficiency (172.8). He was second in total offense (319.2 yds/gm), third in passing (3,455 yds.) and fourth in passing yards (314.1 yds/gm).

Hippeard will be backed up by talented-lefty junior Brad Robbins, who could arguably be the best backup in the NAIA.

STACKED RECEIVING CORPS BACK

A quartet of juniors of Jason Lovett, Matt Barbour, Aric Evans and Hakeem Abdul-Saboor combine for an unmatched receiving corps at Hippeard’s disposal.

Lovett and Barbour claimed 2007 all-conference honors. Lovett set school-records with 74 catches for 1,058 yards and 17 TDs. Barbour improved on his first year to 52 grabs for 898 yards and five scores.

The 6-3 Evans, a 2006 All-American as a freshman, did not equal his opening numbers but produced 35 receptions for 776 yards and 11 TDs of his own. Abdul-Saboor battled through two injuries but hauled in 15 balls for 305 yards and three scores.

The group will be joined by junior Brad Ricker and sophomore Adrian Ward and Mitchell Felix.

COMMITTEE TO REPLACE MORGAN

One of the toughest tasks the high-powered Cavs offense has to do is replace two-time NAIA All-American first team running back Ra’Shad Morgan.

A group of Abdul-Saboor, sophomore Jyron Barclay, junior transfer Robert Barcliff and senior Bruce McMullen will try to make up for Morgan’s 3,142 rushing yards, 3,742 all-purpose yards and 54 TDs over 2007-08.

Abdul-Saboor ran for 551 yards and 117 attempts with eight scores in the 2005 season. The back has a combo of speed and strength to allow him to catch and run the ball.

Barclay, a quick scat back, accounted for 256 yards on 43 tries and fullback McMullen rushed 46 times for 235 yards.

Former Virginia all-state back Barcliff comes from NCAA DI Indiana State. The big back ran for 107 yards in a limited role last year for the Sycamores.

Senior Aaron Askew and junior Joe Bodenheimer adds depth at the fullback spot.

SLADE SET TO LEAD TIGHT ENDS

After tireless work in the offseason, senior tight end Brad Slade will give Hippeard another receiver who can catch the ball underneath with great speed. The 6-4 sophomore Brandon Gayheart will provide another young athlete at the position.

TRIO PACE O-LINE

A trio of veteran offensive linemen of seniors Kevin Jenkins and Adam Nicholson and junior Brian Pisani pace the Cavs blockers.

In his third year starting, Jenkins, a team captain, will handle one of the tackle positions where he has emerged as an offensive leader with his strong and consistent play.

Pisani is a steady center and plays above his ability with great knowledge. Nicholson, who is forgoing his final year to graduate early, is a smart kid with good strength and conditioning at one guard spot.

The Cavs will have five big, young and upcoming linemen in sophomores Jay Fowler, Andrew Hutchings, and Luke Logan along with freshmen Daniel Williams and Mark Dixon to fill the remaining two starting jobs.

Center Fowler garnered what should prove to be valuable game time in his first year. Hutchings suffered an injury in last preseason to prevent him from starting while Pound native Logan transfered this spring. The 6-7, 270-pound Williams and 6-3 Dixon give two talented young options.

AYERS & HIPPEARD TO KICK AGAIN

Junior Lance Ayers retuns with the inside track for the place kicking. He made both field goal attempts of 2007 but will be challenged by redshirt freshman Juan Aguilar and newcomer Lucas Collins.

Hippeard will be set to handle the punting duties for a second year and will look to improve upon his 33.9 yard average while Collins will try to gain some kicks.

Jyron Barclay and Keith McBride should make a good tandem to return kicks. In 2007, Barclay returned 15 kicks for 287 yards while McBride covered 125 yards in six returns.

HALEY FORCE FOR THE SECONDARY

The lone all-conference Cavs’ defensive player James Haley will be the force of defense from his strong safety position. The intense junior defender brings great speed and strength to the unit and will be the key to the defense. He returns as the top tackler with 74 to go with five tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

Two-year starter junior Marvin White will return to one corner spot. White tied a team-high with seven breakups along with 24 stops and an interception.

McBride is set to take over the free safety area in his third year. The junior snatched three balls and posted 26 tackles.

Junior Matt Gular, sophomore Dennis Bennett and redshirt freshman Lonell Parker will be battling for a spot. Experienced defender Gular has 88 stops in two years.

The secondary will have a strong group of freshmen to add to the mix in Marcus Bratton, Dominique Simmons, Marco Trent, Shaheim Harris and Matt Davis should make a big push for playing time.

LINEBACKERS SET TO MAKE MARK

Senior Gio Watford will be the elder statesman in a wide open field of young linebackers set to make their mark.

Watford is the top returner inside with 59 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss to his credit. He will be joined by sophomores Luke Spurlock, Omar Garner, Adam Sizemore and John Mathis.

Spurlock played inside backer in high school and will move back there from defensive end. Garner can play inside or end and gained limited time last year including posting a sack.

Mathis and Sizemore specialized in special teams last year. Mathis accounted for 22 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss while Sizemore added 18 stops.

Quick sophomore Benji Poindexter looks to capture an outside position along with junior Brett Hammack. Poindexter played a lot in passing downs while Hammack had three tackles for loss and 29 tackles.

Juniors Chad Hooker and Scott Utterback will look for time in the lineup. True freshmen Amondre Johnson and Seth Colyer add to the mix.

SOPHOMORE DUO ANCHOR D-LINE

Sophomores Danny Hinkle and Josh Spurlock will have full batteries to anchor the Cavs’ defensive line.

At nose guard, Hinkle made a true impact with 40 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and two sacks. The 6-4 Spurlock had three interceptions, two for scores, and 15 tackles.

Seniors Matt Sullivan, will provide veteran help at nose tackle.

Junior Kevin White will help on the interior line while sophomores Zac Ezefili and Nick DiDonato aim for part of the end rotation. White had the best stats of 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 22 stops.

The Highland Cavaliers will try to use the experience and the success of the last two years to not only build confidence but now have quality depth and battles for playing time at each position on the squad’s run for its first NAIA playoff spot since the 1996 regular season.