Vikings, Hawks set for road matchups
Ƈ Berry will look to keep its playoff hopes alive at Sewanee, while Shorter will aim to bounce back at Valdosta State.
After home wins last weekend, Berry and Shorter will try to take the momentum on the road as they each take on conference opponents Saturday.
The Vikings are in Tennessee to visit Sewanee in SAA play, hoping to keep hopes of a D-III playoff at-large bid alive with a win, while the Hawks jump back in to Gulf South Conference play in south Georgia at Valdosta State. Berry (5-1, 3-1 SAA) at
Sewanee (3-3, 2-2) Time: 2 p.m.
National rankings: Berry is No. 24 in the D3football.com poll; Sewanee is unranked
Series history: Berry leads 7-2
Last meeting: Berry defeated Sewanee 63-14 at Sewanee on Nov. 5, 2022
Last week: Berry won 64-7 at home vs. Millsaps; Sewanee lost 30-10 at Rhodes
Berry key offensive players: Blake Hembree (QB, Sr.), Brandon Cade (RB, Jr.), Khamari Smith (WR, Soph.)
Sewanee key offensive players: Jacorin Thomas (QB, Fr.), Jeremiah Young (QB, Jr.), Walker Robinson (RB, Soph.)
Berry key defensive players: Brock Skinner (LB, Grad.), Jake Whitten (DB, Jr.), Jaden Melville (DL, Jr.)
Sewanee key defensive players: Keegan Glaze (LB, Jr.), Quinn Johnson (DL, Grad.), Kason Holder (DB, Jr.)
Outlook: The Vikings continued their statement-making tour last Saturday with a blowout victory over Millsaps as they are trying to prove each week why they should be an at-large team once the NCAA D-III playoff bracket comes out in November. Following its loss a few weeks ago to Trinity, it’s not just about winning these days for Berry. It’s about looking impressive in every aspect of the game while winning. The Vikings will have a little tougher test this week at Sewanee as the Tigers are at .500 overall and in conference play so far. They have lost two straight coming into this one, so
they would like nothing more than to be a spoiler for Berry’s postseason plans. However, the Vikings’ offense has been hot over the past several weeks both passing and rushing, and it doesn’t look like many teams will slow them down. Berry’s defense has been equally as impressive lately, holding its last two opponents to 17 total points and forcing turnovers at will, including six last Saturday against Millsaps. It’s another week in the SAA and another convincing victory on the docket for the Vikings.
Prediction: Berry wins 48-14
Shorter (3-4, 1-3 GSC) at Valdosta State (6-1, 3-1 GSC) Time: 3 p.m.
National rankings: Shorter is unranked in the D2football.com poll; Valdosta State is unranked
Series history: Valdosta State leads 10-0
Last meeting: Valdosta State defeated Shorter 30-28 at Valdosta State on Nov. 12, 2022
Last week: Shorter won 19-13 in overtime at home vs. Clark Atlanta; Valdosta State won 2110 at Mississippi College
Shorter key offensive players: Lanier McCrary Jr. (RB, Fr.), Josh Brown (QB, RS-Fr.), Bo Mosteller (WR, Jr.)
Valdosta State key offensive players: Sammy Edwards (QB, Jr.), Eric Watts (RB, Jr.), B.K. Smith (WR, Grad.)
Shorter key defensive players: Marc Harris (LB, Soph.), Ryan Richardson (DL, Sr.), Hunter Hodson (DB, Sr.)
Valdosta State key defensive players: Terrell Dudley (LB, Soph.), Kyle Cass (DB, Grad.), DeAndre Clifton (DL, Jr.)
Outlook: Shorter got a muchneeded comeback win in overtime last week against Clark Atlanta, but the setting and the quality of opponent are very different this Saturday as the Hawks travel south to take on traditional power Valdosta State. Shorter has had little luck against the Blazers since joining the Gulf South Conference, going 0-10 all-time in the series. The last two games have been very competitive, however, with both within one possession late before Valdosta State held on
for the wins. Shorter’s defense will have to be ready for a talented offensive unit from the Blazers that has a quarterback who has distributed the ball well to several talented receivers, with 10 different targets catching touchdowns. The running game has been solid as well for the Blazers, so Shorter will have its hands full. The Hawks’ offense is a bit beat-up right now with multiple key injuries forcing backups into bigger roles. Those younger players have shown flashes of ability, but they have also had some turnovers and empty possessions that have hurt in recent weeks. They can’t afford to do that against Valdosta State or the game could get away from them.
Prediction: Valdosta State wins 28-20