EMORY, Va. - The Emory & Henry football program (4-1, 2-0 ODAC) earned their second ODAC win of the season last Saturday over Bridgewater College (3-2, 1-1 ODAC). The Wasps outgained the Eagles 422 yards to 285 yards, while the Wasps defense continued to show their dominance by holding Bridgewater to only 68 yards rushing. This week, Hampden-Sydney College (3-2, 1-1 ODAC) comes into town to play the Wasps for the annual Homecoming game. To earn another ODAC victory, the E&H defense must hold a Hampden-Sydney offense that is currently near the bottom of the ODAC. Last season, the Tigers of Hampden-Sydney topped the Wasps 49-27.
Sophomore quarterback Kevin Saxton is coming off his best game of the season, where he threw for 271 yards and four touchdowns. Currently, Hampden-Sydney boasts the top passing defense in the conference at 160.2 yards given up a game. The Tiger's cornerback, Sidney Henry, leads the league in interceptions (4) and their defensive end, Ben Carson, leads the conference in sacks (2.5). Saxton will need to rely on his playmakers at wide receiver in Tyree Ward and Kelman Simpson. Ward broke out last game with nine catches, 157 yards, and three touchdowns. He now has five touchdown grabs on the year, which is tied for fourth in the conference. Simpson has 24 catches for 274 yards and two touchdowns on the season. Dominic Dunnaville continues to be a dynamic player, lining up in different spots throughout the game. As the backup quarterback, Dunnaville has racked up 175 rushing yards and is a perfect 10-for-10 in passing. Getting points will be crucial, as the Hampden-Sydney Tigers have the third best defense in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
The Wasps have the top defense in yardage (307 per game) and points (17.8 per game) in the ODAC. E&H registered five sacks versus Bridgewater last week, bringing the team total to 13, which tops the ODAC. Senior defensive end Mitch Carter got to the quarterback twice in the game while Tyler Rose, Tyler Tune, and Kash Jones each had a half sack from their defensive lineman positions. Ryan Byrd, who is fourth in the ODAC in tackles, will likely have to play the run to accommodate for Hampden-Sydney's run game. The Tiger's freshman, Kyree Koonce, presently leads the ODAC in rushing with 597 yards and six scores. Hampden-Sydney's quarterback, Edgar Moore, is fifth in the ODAC in passing yards and third in touchdowns and completions. This Wasps defense has also been very opportunistic this season. They have 12 twelve turnovers thus far, including a league-high eight fumble recoveries. Jaylyn Johnson is leading the E&H roster with two on the year, including a 26-yard return last week. The Wasps will need their #1 ranked defense to play as such, for E&H get a Homecoming victory over Hampden-Sydney College.
The Homecoming game this Saturday is set to kickoff at 1 p.m. at Fred Selfe Stadium on the campus of Emory & Henry College.
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-photo courtesy of Caleb Johnston, E&H '15