August 28, 2025

Ingram announces captains for 2025 season

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman head football coach Ashley Ingram has announced Carson-Newman football's team captains for the 2025 season.

Zach Williams and Tedros Gleaton were chosen to represent the offense, while Martavis Mason and Cruz Temple represent the defense. The selections were made by team votes.

"The one attribute of these four young men is their consistency," Ingram said. "They show up to work, they're the same guy every day. These four guys exemplify what a Carson-Newman football player should stand for. They're great men of faith. They're tough, they're reliable, they're great teammates, and they're a great example and role model for our team."

Mason started all 12 games for C-N at defensive end. He had 32 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also hurried the quarterback three times. Mason had a career-best six-tackle day in the SAC title game against Wingate (Nov. 16). he made a stop behind the line of scrimmage in the final four weeks of the year.

"Martavis is tough, reliable, dependable," Ingram said. "There's not a day that goes by where he's not showing up and going to work at a high level."

Temple finished third on the team in tackles at his linebacker spot. He tallied 61 stops on the year with 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also recovered a fumble. Temple tallied a career-best 10 tackles in the SAC title game against Wingate (Sept. 21). He also had 1.5 sacks against the Bulldogs. Temple started in six of the 12 games that he played.

"Cruz had to come to Carson-Newman to find a home where someone appreciated all his qualities," Ingram said. "He battled through adversity at two stops. But he's just as tough as they get.

Gleaton, still technically a freshman, started Carson-Newman's game at West Virginia State (Sept. 13) before going down with an injury. He compled 3-of-4 passes for 36 yards. He also ran the ball six times for 26 yards. He medically redshirted.

"I've known Teddy since he was a junior in high school, and he came from the Naval Academy when I did," Ingram said. "Teddy Gleaton, who's had adversity there, had obviously adversity here, but has led our football team, and has earned the respect of his teammates."

Williams repeats as an Academic All-District selection after earning the honor as a linebacker last year. Williams caught two passes on the year, including a 52-yard touchdown in the Eagles' opener against Reinhardt.

"Zach Williams is kind of the model, the epitome of what you want in a football player," Ingram said. "He's tough, he's dependable, he's smart, he is full speed in everything he does. He's going to be a great leader for a team."

Carson-Newman opens the season Saturday at noon against West Virginia State. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 11 a.m. with the AEC Countdown to Kickoff on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), Mix 105.5 (WSEV-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live. A video stream is available with a subscription to FloSports at cneagles.com/FloFB.