Newberry likes strength of defense, potential for offense this season

The Newberry Wolves finished 4-7 overall and 1-4 in the South Atlantic Conference last year but look to rebound this fall and return to the form that earned them a Division II playoff berth in 2016.

“I think we’ve got a good season coming up,” coach Todd Knight said. “We’ve got a crowd of players returning on the defensive side of the ball, and that’s where our strength lies. Offensively, we’ve got some new kids, but they’re coming into their own.”

The running game has improved over the offseason, and while ball security was an issue early in practice, the Wolves fumbled just once in 116 snaps in the latest scrimmage.

Key Players

Joe Blue, 5-10, 225, ILB, senior: Started all 11 games at inside linebacker in 2017, and led the team with 83 tackles, 11 for loss, good for fifth in the SAC. He also had five sacks, two fumble recoveries, and two pass breakups. “If you wear that gray stripe, you’re the best the school has to offer, and Joe Blue is that, on and off the field, offensively, defensively, it doesn’t matter.”

Marquel Castle, 5-10, 185, WR, senior: Castle started 11 games last season and had 39 catches for 756 yards and nine TDs. He had four 100-yard games. “He’s one of the best receivers in the SAC. He’s battled some injuries in practice, but he’s battled back and he’ll be 100 percent,” Knight said.

Austin Barnes, 6-2, 245, RB, junior: With 494 yards and seven TDs on 112 carries, Barnes was the leading rusher last year after switching from tight end. Knight said this year’s offense is better equipped to run the ball and Barnes will be a factor in the Wolves’ productivity.

Can’t miss games

Western Carolina, Cullowhee, N.C., Sept. 1, 6 p.m.: The Catamounts finished 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the Southern Conference in 2017. The Wolves’ season opener against a Division I school will be a measuring-stick game, Knight said.

Carson-Newman, Newberry, Sept. 22, 1 p.m.: The SAC opener will be at home after three nonconference games. The Eagles finished 8-3 last year and return 43 of 48 players from their 2-deep. Carson-Newman is a preseason favorite to win the SAC.

Wingate, Wingate, N.C., Oct. 27, 3 p.m.: The defending SAC champion Bulldogs, who finished 9-2 last year, come to town for Homecoming. Newberry beat Wingate four straight years before the Bulldogs won last year and ran the table for the SAC championship.

2018 Schedule

Sept. 1 at Western Carolina, 6 p.m.

Sept. 8 at Florida Tech, 1 p.m.

Sept. 15 Virginia University of Lynchburg, 1 p.m.

Sept. 22 Carson-Newman, 1 p.m.

Sept. 29 at UNC-Pembroke, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 Lenoir-Rhyne, 4 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Tusculum, 3 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Limestone, 1 p.m.

Oct. 27 Wingate, 3 p.m.

Nov. 3 Catawba, 1 p.m.

Nov. 10 at Mars Hill, 1 p.m.

This story was originally published August 25, 2018 at 8:15 AM.