Emory, Va. - After a 27-24 victory over Division I East Tennessee State University (0-4), the Emory & Henry football team (2-1, 0-0) opens up ODAC play versus the Yellow Jackets of Randolph-Macon College (1-2, 0-0). Last week's victory was E&H's first victory over a Division I scholarship football program since 1988 and it improved the team's all-time series record to 11-9 over ETSU. The Yellow Jackets, who will look to avenge their 38-28 loss at the hands of the Wasps last season, were off this past Saturday.
Randolph-Macon's defense is currently last in the ODAC in points, giving up 37 per game. The Yellow Jacket defense is also surrendering the most yards in the league at 451 per game. This bodes well for a Wasp offense that averages 387.3 yards and 31.7 points. Freshman Kelman Simpson continues to lead the Wasps in receiving with 16 catches, 187 yards, and two scores. Fellow freshman Tyree Ward made a huge impact in last week's victory when he scored the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute to go. To round out the trio of leading receivers, sophomore Nick Webb has made an impression as well. Webb, who leads the ODAC in yards per reception, threw a touchdown pass versus ETSU and had a 31 yard reception on the final drive to set up the game-winning score. Senior Chris Edwards played well for the Wasps at the running back position, as he ran for 42 yards and a score in last week's win. Despite rushing for only 26 yards last week, Chris Thompson still leads the Wasps in rushing with 153 yards on the season. The Wasps have another potent offensive weapon in the foot of freshman kicker Skyler Simcox. The freshman has hit all of his extra points and four of five field goals on the year. After hitting two 48-yard field goals against ETSU, Simcox was named the ODAC Offensive Player of the Week.
Despite the defensive struggles, Randolph-Macon possesses a well balanced offense. The Yellow Jackets average 475.3 yards a game while putting up 30 points. The Wasps will have to stop freshman Eric Hoy, who is second in the ODAC receiving yards and third in receiving touchdowns, and senior John Byrd, who is second in the ODAC in rush yards. The Wasps would appear to be up to the task, boasting the second best pass defense in the ODAC. That is thanks, in part, to junior cornerback Tre'von Lightfoot, who was named ODAC Defensive Player of the Week. Lightfoot leads the ODAC in interceptions with three and second in passes defended with six. The Wasps also lead the ODAC in sacks with seven on the season. Linebacker Josh Compton is tied for the lead in the ODAC with two on the season. Senior Ryan Byrd continues to pace E&H in tackles with 29 while linebacker Andrew Long leads in tackles for loss with four.
The game at Randolph-Macon is set to kickoff at 1:00 p.m. at Day Field in Ashland, Virginia.
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-photo courtesy of Caleb Johnston '15