Cavs prepare close out amazing season against Union

Cody Dalton
TriCitiesSports.com
November 10, 2006

Wise, Va. – After an amazing season, for which some football players will not forget, the UVA-Wise Cavalier football team will finish its season off this Saturday as they host Union at 1:30 pm at Carl Smith Staduim.
The Cavs (7-3, 2-2 in the Mid-South Conference) are looking to bounce back after a tough defeat against the University of the Cumberland’s, 40-34, in overtime last Saturday. The loss eliminated the Cavs from a chance at NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) post-season play. A win on Saturday on their home turf would certainly be a moral booster to the team.
“It is imperative that we do not want a great season to end on two straight losses,” said Cavs football coach Bruce Wasem. “It is not going to be easy, but it is key that we want to beat Union to end the season.”
Senior and team captain Jon “Cub” Mullins stressed another key reason this game has importance.
“Since we lost last week, that knocked us out of playoff hopes,” said Mullins. “The game this weekend against Union is our playoff game. We have to win this one because it is the last chance the seniors will ever have to play football here at UVA-Wise.”
Union (2-7, 1-6 in the MSC) will be looking to play the role of spoiler against the Cavs. The Bulldogs lost a heartbreaker last week to West Virginia Tech, 43-37. In last seasons contest between the Bulldogs and Cavs, Union beat UVA-Wise, 47-28. The Cavs can’t afford to slip up this season or they will fall victim to the upset.
“I anticipate that they are going to play extremely hard,” said Wasem. “We have somewhat of a rivalry between our two teams and we have had some great games as well. It is going to be a challenge of their strengths versus our strengths.”
The Cavaliers have put on a spectacle this season, earning Mid-South Conference honors, as well as being ranked as high as #18 nationally from the NAIA. The team has also shattered their record from a season ago, of 4-7, 1-4 in the MSC. This tremendous run will finally come to a close this Saturday, with the Cavaliers final game.
“From a performance standpoint, I think we have done pretty well,” said Wasem. “To go from 4-7 to 8-3 right now is a major change, a change that nobody but us expected.”
“Going 7-3 so far has been amazing,” said Mullins. “Many people wrote us off and we could have easily given up after the Lambuth loss, but I am really proud of all my teammates for stepping up and going out and getting it done.”
Individually, the Cavs have had a record-breaking year on the offensive side of the ball. Statistically, the Cavs rank first in the NAIA overall in total offense and passing offense, as well as having one of the most balanced passing and rushing attacks in the entire nation. The Cavs have also broken 13 of the schools football records and have their sights set on 14 others that are within reach. In yardage, the Cavs have outgained their opponents in all ten of the contests played this season.
Sophomore quarterback Randy Hippeard and junior running back Ra’Shad Morgan have both broken school records for passing and rushing in a season and a single game respectively. Hippeard has completed 198 of his 329 passes thrown for 2,911 yards and 25 touchdowns. Morgan has had a similar year rushing the football, with 1,539 yards on 273 attempts and 23 touchdowns.
“Records are a good thing to have,” said Morgan. “In the same regard, I would rather be winning as a team, than having any personal record.”
Coach Wasem said he wants to remind everyone though that there are unsung heroes on this team, that don’t receive a lot of credit.
“I give credit to the guys that never get any stats or compliments, the offensive line,” said Wasem. “It is nice to see guys receive that kind of recognition and achieved those kinds of goals. Those things are important, but they are all signs of team success. Ultimately, we look at the team goals, more than an individual record.”
So there you have it. A record football season will come to a close on Saturday against Union. Hopefully for the Cavs, it will have a storybook ending. For those that cannot attend the game live, it will be aired live on 93.5 FM, as well as redzonemedia.com.