Game Preview: No. 10 Reinhardt vs. St. Andrews (N.C.)
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
Photo Courtesy of Al Levine
WALESKA, Ga. – (Video | Stats) Ken White Field at University Stadium will be rocking again Saturday as the 10th-ranked Eagles hit the gridiron in Appalachian Division play inside the Mid-South Conference (MSC) against the Knights of St. Andrews (N.C.).
Kickoff is set for Noon in the Homecoming matchup.
The visitors come to Waleska at 1-1 (0-1 MSC), and most recently, the Knights were down at the break, 17-7, but St. Andrews took a 24-23 lead late last Saturday before Kentucky Christian scored with 1:18 left to win the battle of the Knights, 29-24.
"Huge conference game tomorrow against St. Andrews, as they have playmakers on offense in wide receivers No. 1, No. 2 and a big running back that runs hard," head coach James Miller said. "It's a unique offense that can hurt you on ground or through the air. On defense, they play multiple fronts to keep you off balance and have a playmaker at safety in No. 25.
"We have our work cut out for us, but I love this football team and believe in them. I can't wait to watch our young men compete."
Reinhardt is looking to improve to 5-0 overall and 2-0 within the MSC after the team soared to 34 points in the second quarter to cruise to a 57-16 romp of Union (Ky.) on the road last weekend.
Billy Hall completed only six passes, but they went for 156 yards and two scores – both to Navarie Solomon – as he gathered four balls for 140 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown on the first drive of the contest to make it 7-0.
The Eagles doubled their advantage just five minutes later on an explosive run by Willie McCloud, as he outraced the Union defense to the end zone on a 66-yard gallop to move ahead, 14-0. The Bulldogs responded with a field goal and a rushing touchdown (blocked PAT) to get within, 14-9, but Otis Odom sparked a 34-point second period for Reinhardt with a 78-yard kickoff return on the ensuing kickoff.
Just seconds later, Jacorris Lamar made a house call on an interception for a 28-9 lead with 12:15 left in the opening half. The cushion continued to grow for the hometown team after Solomon found the paint for his second time on a 43-yard catch, and then a pair of running scores – from Javarsia Meadows (three yards) and Nick Harris (one yard) pushed the scoreboard to 48-9
Union would get back on the board and score its final points on the day with just four seconds to go before halftime on a five-yard run that capped off a long drive for the Bulldogs.
A low-scoring second half saw a James Hardy 44-yard field goal and another McCloud score – this time from 27 yards – to wrap things up.
McCloud ended the afternoon with 136 yards on just eight carries (17-yard average). Collectively, the Eagles accumulated 284 yards on the ground.
Storylines for Saturday
1. Here Comes St. Andrews
After being forced to cancel their matchup back on Feb. 20, the Eagles and Knights meet up today on the gridiron within Appalachian Division play as Reinhardt looks to improve to 5-0 and stay perfect on the season.
2. Impacting All Phases
Reinhardt has been strong all season on offense and defense, and now special teams is starting to make its mark as well. Against Union (Ky.) last week, Otis Odom had three kickoff returns for 147 yards, including a 78-yard score to jump-start a 34-point second quarter for the Eagles. He was named MSC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts.
3. About the Knights
St. Andrews entered halftime down, 17-7, but St. Andrews took a 24-23 lead late last Saturday before Kentucky Christian scored with 1:18 left to win the battle of the Knights, 29-24. St. Andrews is 1-1 overall and 0-1 in Mid-South Conference Appalachian Division play.
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