Charlotte, October 25, 2025
News Summary
Elijah Holmes of Wingate has been named Offensive Player of the Week in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC), showcasing his talent with impressive passing and rushing touchdowns. Cruz Temple from Carson-Newman received Defensive Player of the Week honors for his strong performance on the field, recording multiple tackles and pressures. Additionally, Caleb Bonesteel of Wingate excelled in Special Teams, achieving a perfect record on field goals. As the season progresses, Newberry leads the standings, while exciting matchups are anticipated in the coming weeks.
Charlotte – In the South Atlantic Conference (SAC), Elijah Holmes of Wingate has been named the Offensive Player of the Week after an impressive performance in the latest game. Holmes completed 17 of 28 passes for 279 yards and threw for one touchdown. He also added to his team’s efforts with a 17-yard rushing touchdown.
On the defensive side, Cruz Temple of Carson-Newman has been recognized as the Defensive Player of the Week, with a standout game that saw him record nine tackles, including a tackle for loss, while contributing to the defense with 15 hurries. Furthermore, Caleb Bonesteel from Wingate has claimed the Special Teams Player of the Week honor, finishing perfect on field goals at 2 for 2 and successfully connecting on 3 extra point attempts.
Looking at the SAC standings after Week 7, Newberry leads with a record of 6-1, closely followed by Emory & Henry with 6-2. Catawba and Wingate have the same record at 5-2, while Carson-Newman follows with 4-2. The complete standings include:
- Newberry: 6-1, 5-1
- Emory & Henry: 6-2, 5-2
- Catawba: 5-2, 3-2
- Wingate: 5-2, 3-2
- Carson-Newman: 4-2, 3-2
- Anderson: 5-3, 3-3
- Lenoir-Rhyne: 4-4, 3-3
- Mars Hill: 3-4, 2-3
- UVA Wise: 1-6, 1-5
- Tusculum: 1-5, 0-5
The playoff outlook for Super Region 2, based on winning percentage and strength of schedule metrics, shows Benedict leading the pack with an index of 1.507, followed by West Florida at 1.484 and Albany State at 1.445. Notably, Newberry stands at seventh position with 1.351 while Wingate and Emory & Henry are tied at 1.333. The relevant rankings include:
- Benedict (SIAC): 1.507
- West Florida (GSC): 1.484
- Albany State (SIAC): 1.445
- Kentucky State (SIAC): 1.438
- West Alabama (GSC): 1.387
- Delta State (GSC): 1.359
- Newberry (SAC): 1.351
- UNC Pembroke (CC): 1.283
- Wingate (SAC): 1.333
- Emory & Henry (SAC): 1.333
- Carson-Newman (SAC): 1.268
- Catawba (SAC): 1.264
- North Greenville (CC): 1.172
- Lenoir-Rhyne (SAC): 1.068
- Anderson (SAC): 1.050
As for the upcoming games, several key matchups are lined up, including:
- Lenoir-Rhyne at Mars Hill (1 PM)
- Wingate at Anderson (2 PM)
- UVA Wise at Carson-Newman (3 PM)
- Emory & Henry at Newberry (6 PM)
- Tusculum at Catawba (6 PM)
The rivalry between Lenoir-Rhyne and Mars Hill sees the Bears leading the series 26-24-1, with their last matchup resulting in a 29-21 victory for Lenoir-Rhyne. Meanwhile, Wingate will face Anderson for the first time, and they currently demonstrate a well-balanced offensive attack. In past encounters, Carson-Newman leads the series against UVA Wise 5-1, and Newberry has a rivalry lead over Emory & Henry after winning their last matchup. In the historic matchup, Catawba leads Tusculum 18-10.
Looking ahead, predictions indicate Lenoir-Rhyne will win against Mars Hill by 3.5 points, and Wingate is heavily favored to defeat Anderson by 14.5 points. Carson-Newman is also seen as a strong favorite against UVA Wise. Further insights suggest wins for Catawba, Newberry, and Wingate in their respective matchups.
FAQ
Who were the SAC Players of the Week?
Elijah Holmes (Wingate) was the Offensive Player of the Week. Cruz Temple (Carson-Newman) was the Defensive Player of the Week, and Caleb Bonesteel (Wingate) was the Special Teams Player of the Week.
What are the current SAC standings?
The top teams are: 1. Newberry: 6-1, 5-1; 2. Emory & Henry: 6-2, 5-2; 3. Catawba: 5-2, 3-2; 4. Wingate: 5-2, 3-2; 5. Carson-Newman: 4-2, 3-2.
What upcoming games are scheduled?
Upcoming games include: Lenoir-Rhyne at Mars Hill, Wingate at Anderson, UVA Wise at Carson-Newman, Emory & Henry at Newberry, and Tusculum at Catawba.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Offensive Player of the Week | Elijah Holmes (Wingate) |
| Defensive Player of the Week | Cruz Temple (Carson-Newman) |
| Special Teams Player of the Week | Caleb Bonesteel (Wingate) |
| SAC Standings | Newberry: 6-1, Emory & Henry: 6-2, Catawba: 5-2, Wingate: 5-2 |
| Upcoming Matchups | Lenoir-Rhyne at Mars Hill, Wingate at Anderson |
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Additional Resources
- FloFootball: How to Watch Carson Newman vs Wingate
- Wikipedia: South Atlantic Conference
- D2Football: Carson Newman Downs No.20 Wingate
- Google Search: Carson Newman vs Wingate
- TriCities Sports: Carson-Newman Staunch Defensive Effort
- Google Scholar: Carson Newman Football
- FloFootball: 2025 Carson Newman vs Wingate
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Carson Newman
- Salisbury Post: Wingate Shuts Down Carson Newman
- Google News: Carson Newman Football
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