Eagles’ Postseason Begins with West Alabama on Saturday
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — When talking about the series history between Carson-Newman and West Alabama, there’s not much to mention. The Eagles and Tigers have only met on the gridiron one time, which was in the semifinals of the 1972 NAIA playoffs. At the time, West Alabama was known as Livingston State.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — When talking about the series
history between Carson-Newman and West Alabama, there’s not
much to mention.
The Eagles and Tigers have only met on the gridiron one time,
which was in the semifinals of the 1972 NAIA playoffs. At the time,
West Alabama was known as Livingston State.
“We played right here at Mossy Creek,” C-N head coach
Ken Sparks recalled. “I was the offensive coordinator here
under (former C-N head coach) Dal Shealy. It was a rainy, muddy
night and the game was tied at 7-7 at the end of
regulation.”
“There was no overtime. If you were tied, it went back to a
formula they had. We won that game on how many times we penetrated
their 20-yard line versus how many times they penetrated our
20-yard line.”
Sparks and the second-seeded Eagles (9-2) are set to take on
sixth-seeded West Alabama (8-4) for the first time since that win
nearly four decades ago on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA
Division II Playoffs. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Burke-Tarr
Stadium.
Sparks said it’s time for his team to refocus and regroup
for the beginning of a new season.
“It’s always an exciting time to start a new
season,” said Sparks, who has led C-N to 22 postseason
berths. “It is a fresh start, and that’s the way we
approach it. Everybody comes to Carson-Newman because of the
playoff tradition and focus that we have as a program. We’ve
taken the first step, and now we need to take the second
step.”
No. 10 C-N enters Saturday’s matchup riding a nine-game
winning streak. The Eagles closed out the regular season with a
decisive 70-35 victory over South Atlantic Conference rival
Tusculum as they set school records in total offense (803) and
rushing yards (671) in the win.
Despite finishing the regular season as one of the hottest teams
in the nation, Sparks said the Eagles needed last week’s bye
for obvious reasons, as his team played 11 straight weeks without a
break.
“I think it was critical because we had played 11 straight
weeks and our kids had not had a chance to catch their
breath,” said Sparks, who has a 34-16-1 postseason record.
“I hope they know how to catch their breath and come back and
are ready to go. We think a week’s rest helps us.”
West Alabama is coming off the two biggest wins of its season. The
Tigers, who have won five out of their last six games, wrapped up
regular season play with a 31-28 win in four overtimes at then-No.
1 North Alabama. West Alabama then traveled to third-seeded Albany
State last week and came away with a 24-22 victory to advance to
the second round of the playoffs for just the second time in school
history.
“They are a team on a roll,” Sparks said. “They
are doing a lot of things well right now.”
The Tigers will look to keep doing damage with their spread option
attack on offense. West Alabama ranks 26th nationally in total
offense with an average of 416.1 yards per game, and Sparks said
his squad better be prepared for the Tigers’ overall team
speed.
“I think that’s their strength,” Sparks said of
West Alabama’s speed. “They are spreading the field and
are trying to get playmakers in space and they are very successful
at doing that.”
Leading the way for West Alabama is junior quarterback Deon
Williams. The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native has thrown for 2,481 yards
and 20 touchdowns. He has also proved to be dangerous on the
ground, rushing for 326 yards and six scores.
“They have a playmaker at quarterback,” Sparks said of
Williams. “He’s capable of running and throwing to beat
you.”
Defensively, the Tigers will line up in the 3-3-5 and are led by
senior defensive back J.D. Douglas. A first team All-Gulf South
Conference selection, Douglas has a league-best 122 tackles this
season.
West Alabama has been one of the best in the nation at forcing
turnovers this season. The Tigers rank 18th nationally with 29
turnovers forced.
