Homecoming game preview

By Cody Dalton

The UVA-Wise football team will play in the traditional homecoming football game this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against Cumberland University.

The Highland Cavaliers are coming into the game 3-0, while outscoring their opponents 141-68. The game is not only regarded as the homecoming game, but as the Mid-South Conference opening game for the Cavaliers football team. The Cavaliers homecoming opponent, Cumberland University, is coming into the game against the Cavaliers with a 1-1 record. The games they won and lost were both by a margin of 7 points, which could only mean that the Cavaliers will have a tough task coming Saturday.

“It is a big game for us,” said Coach Bruce Wasem. “This game starts the Mid-South Conference schedule. This will be a game where we have to prove ourselves in. Last year, we fell on our faces and it was a game we should have won.”

The Cavaliers are having success at throwing the ball to set up the running game. Last week against Southern Virginia, running back Ra’Shad Morgan had 5 rushing touchdowns because of how well the passing game works with rushing the football. Cavalier quarterbacks Randy Hippeard and Brad Robbins both had passing touchdowns as well for the Cavaliers.

“We are so balanced offensively that we could go either way,” said Coach Bruce Wasem. “If a team can stop us from running the football, we can beat them by passing. That makes us extremely difficult to defend.”

The Cavaliers and Cumberland University have also split their only 10 meetings, with a 5-5 record for each team. A win this Saturday for the Cavaliers would also equal their greatest start since 1996, when the team went undefeated, with a 10-0 record.

“We would like to be undefeated,” said Coach Wasem. “We have to get to 4-0 first and then take it one week at a time.”

“Last year we went down to Cumberland and took an early 21-0 lead,” said Cavaliers quarterback Randy Hippeard. “We got too comfortable and they ended up fighting back and winning the football game. We have to come out this game and fight to the final whistle.”

In anticipation of the game on Saturday, a pep rally will be held the Friday before the game at the annual “Red and Grey” Day. For those that wish to see the UVA-Wise vs. Cumberland University, you can catch the Cavaliers homecoming game this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Carl Smith Stadium.

(September 18, 2006)