The FCS season is quick approaching, so we’re going inside every convention race. With Chattanooga and defending champion Furman main the way in which, right here’s our 2024 Southern Convention soccer preview.
Chattanooga’s preseason choice because the Southern Convention favourite absolutely isn’t simply in regards to the Mocs’ proficient roster – it falls in keeping with a latest league pattern.
There’s been a distinct champion in every of the final 5 seasons – Wofford in 2019, VMI in 2020, ETSU in 2021, Samford in 2022 and Furman final season.
Perhaps it’s Chattanooga’s flip after its FCS playoff look final season.
The Mocs, although, haven’t claimed the SoCon title since they shared it with The Citadel in 2015, and that features after being chosen the preseason favourite in 2016, ‘21 and ‘22.
2024 Southern Convention Soccer Preview
Predicted Order of End
*-FCS Playoff Qualifier
1. *Chattanooga (2023 Report: 8-5, 6-2; No. 9 nationwide preseason rating) – Final yr’s two convention losses have been by a mixed 5 factors, however they didn’t forestall coach Rusty Wright’s squad from reaching the playoffs for the primary time since 2016. Quarterback Chase Artopoeus (2,672 passing yards, 20 touchdowns) will look downfield to vast receivers Javin Whatley and Sam Phillips (a mixed 115 receptions, 1,601 yards and 13 TDs). Marlon Taylor is among the many FCS’ finest nostril tackles, and linebacker Alex Mitchell will construct on a breakout marketing campaign (team-high 78 tackles). The street schedule is daunting, together with FBS journeys to Tennessee and Georgia State to kick off the marketing campaign.
2. *Furman (10-3, 7-1; No. 12 nationwide preseason rating) – The 2023 SoCon champs pushed Montana to time beyond regulation within the FCS quarterfinals, however that workforce was senior-laden, leaving simply six returning starters this season. Tragically, standout defensive deal with Bryce Stanfield handed away after struggling a medical emergency throughout an offseason exercise. The veteran defensive gamers embrace nostril guard Xavier Stephens and linebackers Luke Clark (17.5 TFLs and 12 sacks in profession) and Evan DiMaggio. Large receiver Joshua Harris (116 profession receptions) will not fly beneath the radar as QB Carson Jones targets him. Kicker Ian Williams has made 28 of 36 field-goal makes an attempt during the last two seasons.
3. *Mercer (9-4, 6-2) – Mike Jacobs succeeded Drew Cronic as Lenoir-Rhyne’s head coach in 2019, and he’s achieved it once more with Mercer. The Bears hope to show final yr’s first playoff bid into their first SoCon title this yr. Whereas the lack of vast receivers Ty James and Devron Harper Jr. is important, the protection has its personal dynamic duo with linebackers Ken Standley (team-high 97 tackles) and Isaac Dowling (294 profession tackles). Operating again Dwayne McGee (3,041 yards) and offensive deal with Xavier Jennings adopted Jacobs with transfers from Lenoir-Rhyne.
4. Western Carolina (7-4, 5-3; No. 20 nationwide preseason rating) – Though the Catamounts got here up quick in a bid for his or her first playoff bid since 1983, they led the FCS in offensive yards per recreation (504.1) whereas setting program data with 5,545 whole yards and 413 factors. All-America QB Cole Gonzales (3,006 yards of whole offense) has playmakers in RB Branson Adams and WRs AJ Colombo and Calvin Jones. Linebacker Antoine Williams seeks to maintain the protection shifting in the precise route.
5. Samford (6-5, 4-4) – It is going to be troublesome to switch two-year QB Michael Hiers, however junior Quincy Crittendon began the Bulldogs’ playoff quarterfinal at North Dakota State in 2022. Operating backs Damonta Witherspoon and Micah Kelly, a Toledo switch, additionally will work behind skilled offensive linemen. Noah Martin led the SoCon with 109 tackles and fellow linebacker Jaden Mosley was second on the workforce with 61.
6. Wofford (2-9, 2-6) – The Terriers could also be flying beneath the radar. Operating again Ryan Ingram (150 carries, 832 yards, six TDs), tight finish Jordan Davis, defensive lineman Brandon Maina, linebacker David Powers (team-high 102 tackles) and defensive again Maximus Pilley all made the All-SoCon preseason first workforce. Add in 4 second-team picks, and the 9 marked this system’s highest whole since 2019. Quarterback Pauly Seeley V made 5 begins.
7. ETSU (3-8, 2-6) – New coach Tre Lamb seeks success much like what he loved at Gardner-Webb with back-to-back convention titles and this system’s first two playoff appearances. He’s introduced some key transfers with him: LB William McRainey (329 profession tackles) and QB Jaylen King. Amongst returning gamers, defensive again Chris Hope led the workforce with 94 tackles.
8. VMI (5-6, 4-4) – In coach Danny Rocco’s first season, the Keydets made a giant leap from 2022, once they completed 1-10 general and 0-8 within the SoCon. Hunter Rice had a breakout season in speeding for 867 yards and 14 TDs, and is anticipated to have a good larger senior marketing campaign. Not lots will get previous defensive lineman Dorien Starnes, however when it occurs, linebacker Eric Rankin (93 tackles) will scoop it up.
9. The Citadel (0-11, 0-8) – The Bulldogs have been winless in coach Maurice Drayton’s first season. The wild card for making a giant step ahead is grad switch QB Johnathan Bennett from Liberty (1,534 passing yards, 12 TDs in 2022). He ought to assist WR Javonte Graves-Billips to a breakout season and get the operating recreation going once more. Punter James Platte was the workforce’s lone All-SoCon preseason choose (second workforce).
How the Convention Predicted the Race
5 Gamers to Know
Luke Clark, LB, Furman – A veteran of 43 profession video games with 26 begins, Clark anchors what the Paladins hope will stay the SoCon’s prime protection.
Cole Gonzales, QB, Western Carolina (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – Set the Catamounts’ single-season document with 28 TD passes whereas incomes the 2023 SoCon media offensive participant of the yr award.
Noah Martin, LB, Samford (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – The 2023 SoCon deal with chief (109) saved his highest totals for prime opponents, together with 19 in opposition to Mercer and 13 versus each Furman and Western Carolina.
Ken Standley, LB, Mercer (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – The Bears’ 2023 deal with chief (97) was robust in opposition to the run (15 TFLs) and the go (two interceptions, 5 passes defended.)
Marlon Taylor, DL, Chattanooga – Taylor has performed within the shadow of former D-linemates Devonnsha Maxwell and Jay Particular person, however SoCon rivals seen him sufficient to make him the convention’s preseason defensive participant of the yr.
5 Should-See Matchups
1. Chattanooga at Furman (Oct. 12) – It is a rematch of Furman’s 26-7 win within the second spherical of the 2023 FCS playoffs. Three of the final 4 regular-season conferences have been determined by 4 or fewer factors.
2. Mercer at Chattanooga (Sept. 14)
3. Western Carolina at Furman (Oct. 19)
4. Chattanooga at Western Carolina (Nov. 2)
5. The Citadel at VMI (Oct. 19)
Quick Truth
It’s been over 10 years since nationwide powers Appalachian State and Georgia Southern rose to the FBS, however the SoCon nonetheless stays second amongst FCS convention in nationwide championships (eight) and tied for second in title recreation appearances (16).
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