Four football programs from the South Atlantic Conference will be in action as the 2024 season kicks off with week zero. The schedule includes Carson-Newman and Mars Hill opening on Thursday night with Emory & Henry and Wingate kicking off on Saturday. All games will be streamed on FloSports and you can sign up HERE.
Thursday, Aug. 29, 6 pm
Carson-Newman vs. Reinhardt
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Carson-Newman will open up under first-year head coach Ashley Ingram who makes his debut against NAIA Reinhardt. Reinhardt is ranked No. 18 nationally in the NAIA poll and they have made eight consecutive trips to the NAIA playoffs. The Eagles are coming off a 5-6 season in 2023 and were picked to finish ninth in the preseason SAC poll.
Thursday, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Mars Hill vs. Delta St.
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Mars Hill is set for a showdown with Delta St., a traditional powerhouse program in the region. The Statesmen were 21-4 over the last two years and won a NCAA Playoff game in each season. The Lions earned a share of the Mountain Division title last year with a 6-2 mark and went 8-2 overall but missed out on a trip to NCAA postseason play.
Saturday, Aug. 31. 1 pm
Emory & Henry vs. Glenville St.
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The head coaching debut for Emory & Henry’s Quintin Hunter will come this Saturday in a non-conference tilt with Glenville St. from the Mountain East Conference. E&H led the league with 10 Preseason All-Division selections from a team that was 5-6 a season ago. They take on a Pioneers squad that was 6-4 in 2023 and are led by former Lenoir-Rhyne head coach Mike Kellar.
Saturday, Aug. 31, 6 pm
Wingate at UNC Pembroke
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The weekend concludes with the only road game for the SAC this week as Wingate heads to UNC Pembroke to kick off the Rashaad Jordan era. Jordan spent nearly two decades on the staff at Wingate before assuming head coaching duties and looks to continue the stretch of dominant defenses that had the Bulldogs ranked in the top six in points allowed each of the past two seasons. The Braves are a tough first opponent for Jordan’s Bulldogs as they went 7-3 a season ago and were picked for a second place finish in the preseason Mountain East poll.
