Wingate vs Brevard match up preview

Steven Grandy
Sports Editor

Last Season
Wingate scored early and often against the Tornadoes, racking up 524 yards of offense in their 44-13 beatdown of Brevard to improve their record to 6-0.

Last Week
Both teams earned what were arguable the biggest wins in school history. Wingate traveled to Tusculum to play in a nationally televised game on Thursday night. The Bulldog defense stepped up with two timely interceptions to secure the 42-31 win. Wingate’s offense also joined in on the fun, racking up 450 yards of offense. Brevard defeated Lenior-Rhyne 14-9 to earn their first South Atlantic Conference victory since the football program was restarted in 2006.

Who has the edge?
When Wingate has the ball
Wingate’s offense had its best performance of the season last week against Tusculum, racking up 450 yards in a winning effort. More importantly, they scored six touchdown on drives that were not at the end of the half. The Bulldogs seem to have found some consistancy on offense, which they will need against Brevard. The Tornado defense has only given up an average of about 90 rushing yards per game and only one rushing touchdown. While Brevard has yet to see running backs that are as talented as the ones Wingate possesses, the Bulldog offense may have to call on the right arm of quarterback Cody Haffly to win this one. I see Haffly introducing himself to the SAC on Saturday with a big game. Advantage: Wingate

When Brevard has the ball
Brevard’s offense is pretty simple: Snap the ball and hand it off. The Tornadoes are one of the top rushing teams in all of NCAA Division II, averaging 322 yards of offense a game. Passing however is a different story. Brevard has not even attempted 30 passes on the season and has only scored three passing touchdowns all year long. In fact, they only threw one pass the entire game against Lenoir-Rhyne! If the Bulldogs can prove that they can stop the run early, Brevard will have to pass. This could be a dangerous situation for the Tornadoes, as Wingate has intercepted eight passes so far this season.
Advantage: Wingate

Special Teams
Wingate kick returner Perry Floyd had a good game against Tusculum. Floyd racked up 57 yards in three total returns. Bobby Seidof returned three kickoffs for 50 yards. These two will face a Brevard team has surrendered an average of 20 yards per kickoff. Wingate punter Phillip Hilliard continued his impressive season last week, averaging almost 44 yards per punt. Hilliard’s blockers have done a good job as well, as the Bulldogs have yet to have a punt blocked against them. Other than a 64 yard punt by Eric Watts, Brevard’s special teams have been anything but special. Floyd, Seidof and Hilliard will help Wingate win the field position battle, creating a short field for the offense to travel. Advantage: Wingate

Intangibles
If Wingate is to make the playoffs this season, this is the type of game that they must win. The Bulldogs schedule dictates that they play the perenial contenders at the end of the season, so it is important to pick up as many conference wins early on as possible. As tempting as it may be, they cannot overlook Brevard. Brevard is a dangerous team not only because they are undefeated, but because few, if any, expected them to win as many games as they have this season. The Tornadoes have nothing to lose and will play with this mindset. After the auroa of playing on national television last week, it is back to reality for the Bulldogs this week. They will be focused and will shear the Tornadoes hopes of winning before halftime. Advantage: Wingate



Prediction
Wingate is the better of the two teams with a stronger defense and much more balanced offense. A key to the game will be for the Bulldogs to score first.Brevard does not have the type of offense that allows them to come from behind In the first two years of competition between the two schools, the Bulldogs have won 51-7 and 44-13. Brevard’s turnaround has been one of the best stories of the football season so far, but Wingate is the best team that they have played to date. Three of the Brevard wins have come against teams that are not even in NCAA classification. This year’s Tornado team is better than its predecessors, but they are not good enough to pull the upset. Wingate 35, Brevard 17