Venue & Game Details
Location: Knight Stadium – Buena Vista, Virginia
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: YouTube (Southern Virginia Athletics channel), live stats via both schools’ athletics sites
Capacity: ~3,500
Weather Forecast (Buena Vista, VA – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm
Temperature: ~82°F (28°C) at kickoff, cooling into the mid‑70s by the fourth quarter
Wind: SW at 5–8 mph
Precipitation: <10%
Impact: Excellent early‑season football weather; minimal wind effect on passing or kicking
Injury Report
Apprentice
No major preseason injuries reported.
QB Brandon Jones returns after throwing 3 TD passes in last year’s meeting.
RB Malik Jefferson (over 100 rush yds vs. SVU in 2024) healthy.
WR Chris Daniels (2 TD catches last year) available.
Defense returns LB Derrick Johnson (team leader in tackles).
Southern Virginia
No significant absences reported.
QB Ethan West expected to start after splitting time in 2024.
RB Caleb Smith (team’s leading rusher) healthy.
WR Jordan Tanner (top returning receiver) available.
Defense anchored by LB Isaiah Knight.
Team Records & 2024 Recap
Apprentice: 3‑4 overall (independent); averaged 31.4 PPG, allowed 27.1 PPG.
Southern Virginia: 1‑9 overall, 1‑6 USA South; averaged 15.2 PPG, allowed 41.6 PPG.
Recent Form (Last 5 Games – 2024 Season)
Apprentice
W vs. Mid‑Atlantic Christian 72‑26
L @ Alfred State 21‑7
L @ Washington & Lee 68‑28
W vs. Southern Virginia 44‑9
L vs. Washington & Lee 28‑9 (2023)
Southern Virginia
L @ LaGrange 50‑24
L vs. Huntingdon 51‑0
L vs. N.C. Wesleyan 34‑31
W @ Methodist 21‑17
L @ Belhaven 38‑17
Key Player Matchups
QB Brandon Jones (APP) vs. SVU Secondary
Jones’ deep‑ball accuracy vs. a defense that allowed multiple 40+ yard completions in 2024.
RB Malik Jefferson (APP) vs. SVU Front Seven
Jefferson’s power running vs. a unit that gave up over 200 rush yds/game last season.
QB Ethan West (SVU) vs. Apprentice Pass Rush
West’s mobility will be tested by an aggressive front that forced 3 sacks in last year’s meeting.
WR Jordan Tanner (SVU) vs. CB1 Apprentice
Tanner’s size and contested‑catch skills could be SVU’s best shot at explosive plays.
Special Teams
Field position battle looms large; Apprentice’s return game vs. SVU’s coverage units.
Series History
All-Time: Apprentice leads 1‑0
Last Meeting: Sept. 7, 2024 — Apprentice 44, Southern Virginia 9 in Newport News, VA
Apprentice scored 31 unanswered points after the first quarter; Jones threw 3 TDs, Jefferson ran for 2.
Total yards: Apprentice 412, SVU 198; Turnovers: SVU 3, Apprentice 0.
Betting Trends
Apprentice: 4‑2 ATS in last 6; OVER in 4 of last 5.
Southern Virginia: 2‑8 ATS in 2024; OVER in 6 of last 8.
Head-to-Head: OVER hit in 2024 meeting (53 total points).
Game Odds
Apprentice School Builders 52
Southern Virginia Knights – 11.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
