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WCU set to open at home tonight
When Western Carolina opens its football season tonight (Thursday) against Division II Chowan, the Catamounts hope they will start on the road toward something that hasn’t happened in 12 years – posting winning records in consecutive seasons.
Kickoff time is 7 p.m. at E.J. Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field.
“Playing on Thursdays has always been good for us,” Coach Kent Briggs said. “Hopefully, we’ll have enthusiasm and a good atmosphere.
He called the Hawks “unknown” but noted the Cats, who are coming off a 5-4 campaign, also have plenty of question marks.
“I know they’ve had some good players transfer in,” Briggs said of Chowan, which is coming off a 2-8 season.
Jack Ross returns after rushing for 680 yards last year. Sam Williams figures to be the quarterback for Coach Lorick Atkinson’s team. His top receivers are Montino Williams and Travelle Jones.
Defensive standouts include nose guard Melvin Rogers and linebacker Shatae McEachin.
The Chowan coaching staff has a WCU connection in Jim Garrison, who played for the Cats in 1953-54. Garrison, who served as head coach of the Hawks for 43 years in their days as a junior college, is now working as an assistant.
Briggs said his team is banged up entering the season. The most notable injuries are to quarterback Justin Clark (shoulder) and defensive lineman Felipe Foster (knee), a pre-season All-American.
The Cats won’t play again until meeting Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 16. Foster is expected to be back by then, but there’s less certainty about Clark.
“Justin had a great pre-season,” Briggs said. “With his shoulder situation, I’m real concerned with what his future is for the rest of the season.”
Bennett Swygert, who started under center in 2004 until being sidelined with an injury, will be the signal caller. He will be backed up by Cincinnati transfer Todd Spitzer.
“Bennett is a tremendous leader for us, and he’s going to be the guy now,” the coach said.
Swygert completed 10 of 17 passes for 116 yards in a scrimmage last week.
“There are going to be a lot of young guys playing,” he added. “Making sure they’re ready to play puts a lot of pressure on us.”
The Cats are 22-9 in home openers at Whitmire Stadium. They have won eight straight and 12 of the last 13.
The schedule is as follows:
Aug. 31 – Chowan.
Sept. 16 – Eastern Kentucky; 23 – at Furman; 30 – Georgia Southern.
Oct. 7 – at Elon; 14 – Chattanooga; 21 – at Citadel; 28 – at Wofford.
Nov. 4 – at Liberty; 11 – Appalachian State; 18 – at Florida.
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