By Grant Ashworth, CAC Network
Week 7 produced offensive fireworks, a dramatic comeback in Carolina and another emphatic statement from High Plains Tech.
The Storm scored 59 points and survived a combined 1,213 yards of offense against Blue Ridge State. Keweenaw Tech erased a two-touchdown halftime deficit to stun Carolina State. Acadia State found another way to win, while Lake Charles State delivered the weekend’s most complete demolition.
For one half, Blue Ridge State traded punches with one of the hottest teams in the CAC.
Then the Storm arrived.
High Plains Tech intercepted Blue Ridge quarterback Terry Fowler on each of the Wayfinders’ first three possessions of the second half, transforming a competitive shootout into a 59-31 runaway. Fowler finished with four interceptions as Blue Ridge struggled to regain its footing after halftime.
There was almost no defense before those turnovers changed the game. High Plains amassed 616 yards of offense, while Blue Ridge answered with 597.
Storm quarterback Howie Mundy was nearly untouchable, completing 21 of 24 passes for 417 yards and five touchdowns. Derek Peters provided another 175 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Connor Emory, wearing No. 12, caught seven passes for 157 yards and a touchdown.
High Plains was just as destructive when Blue Ridge dropped back to pass. The Storm recorded six sacks, led by middle linebacker Miles Webb’s extraordinary performance. Webb finished with 10 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception and two pass breakups.
Strong safety Scotty Skaggs added two interceptions and another pass defended.
The Wayfinders found one enormous bright spot in the defeat. Sam Osgood caught 11 passes for a Blue Ridge State-record 235 yards and three touchdowns, earning CAC Offensive Player of the Week honors despite the loss.
Daniel Gammon provided another encouraging sign after replacing Fowler in the fourth quarter. Gammon completed eight of nine attempts for 109 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, middle linebacker Dom Wayne recorded four tackles for loss and two sacks.
High Plains improves to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the CAC. Blue Ridge falls to 3-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
The Wayfinders now return home for their biggest game of the season. Carolina State visits next week for the Battle for Appalachia, with rain and 46-degree temperatures forecast in Pisgah.
Carolina State appeared ready to run Keweenaw Tech out of the building.
The Shiners scored 21 points in the second quarter and carried a 35-21 advantage into halftime. But the Owls refused to disappear, scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter to complete a dramatic 41-38 comeback.
Carolina State actually outgained Keweenaw 557-480, with each team committing one turnover. The difference was Keweenaw’s ability to survive the Shiners’ first-half explosion and take control late.
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Emmett LeCount rushed 13 times for 121 yards and a touchdown. JT Silvestro caught seven passes for 85 yards, while Kurt Calloway finished with six receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Strong safety Johnny Noil led Keweenaw’s defense with 12 solo tackles. Darren Lowell contributed 10 tackles and a pass deflection.
Brian Best threw for 437 yards and two touchdowns for Carolina State, but his interception proved costly. Colin Farwell added 83 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Sam Mixon caught 10 passes for 182 yards and a score, while Tyler Choice surpassed 100 yards with six receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Layne Carney led the Shiners with 11 tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack. Kane McGregor recovered a fumble.
Keweenaw’s comeback was the defining finish of Week 7. The Owls absorbed Carolina State’s best half of football, stayed within striking distance and owned the fourth quarter.
Acadia State continues to prove it can win games in more than one way.
Daytona Beach Tech led 7-0 after the opening quarter and 7-3 at halftime, but the Mainiacs outscored the Daredevils 16-7 after the break. Six fourth-quarter points completed a gritty 19-14 victory.
Acadia outgained Daytona Beach 400-341 and forced three turnovers while committing only one.
John McCourt endured a quiet passing day, finishing with 167 yards and an interception, but contributed 56 rushing yards and a touchdown. Johnny Kuberski powered the offense with 140 rushing yards and a score.
Gordon Arnoux delivered another tremendous defensive performance. He recorded eight tackles, three tackles for loss, an interception, a pass breakup and a forced fumble. James Dillinger and Damon Kacyvenski also intercepted passes.
Justice Nesbitt threw for 249 yards and a touchdown for Daytona Beach but was responsible for all three interceptions. Bruce Isaac rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown, while Aiden Spellman caught six passes for 80 yards and a score.
Joel Spears led the Daredevils with 10 tackles. Tucker McCrae recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.
It was not pretty, but Acadia’s defense once again delivered when the Mainiacs needed it most.
Territorial State kept Lake Charles off the scoreboard for one quarter.
Then the floodgates opened.
The Trawlers scored 21 points in both the second and third quarters, building a 42-0 lead before finishing off a 49-3 demolition. Lake Charles outgained Territorial State 537-158, with neither team committing a turnover.
Mike Walter was responsible for 399 yards of offense. He threw for 253 yards and four touchdowns while adding 146 yards on the ground.
Walter distributed those four touchdown passes to four different receivers. Alex Everett finished with 75 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Nathan O’Grady supplied a 44-yard scoring reception.
Drew Cobbs led the Trawlers with seven tackles, including one for loss. Alan De Imperio added a sack.
Territorial quarterback Erik Stevens completed nine of 14 passes for 111 yards. No Dealers running back surpassed 34 rushing yards, and no receiver produced more than 35 yards. Cade McCadley led the defense with 12 tackles.
Lake Charles did not merely beat Territorial State. The Trawlers controlled every meaningful part of the game after the first quarter.
Coronado State removed most of the suspense early, racing to a 17-0 lead after one quarter and taking a 20-3 advantage into halftime.
The Admirals finished with 548 yards of offense and committed only one turnover in the 41-17 victory.
Alex McQuiston completed 24 of 38 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns while adding 54 yards on the ground. James McMichael rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown. Scott Glennon caught eight passes for 109 yards and two scores.
Barry Capatera led Coronado’s defense with five tackles, including two for loss. Conor McGraw contributed two tackles for loss and a sack.
It was a businesslike nonconference victory for an Admirals offense that produced balance, explosive plays and more than 500 total yards.
Philadelphia Tech entered halftime tied with UCF at 17, but the Iron Horses could not keep pace after the break.
UCF scored 21 second-half points and pulled away for a 38-24 victory despite being outgained by Philadelphia Tech, 409-403. Neither team committed a turnover.
Kevin Wells completed 22 of 47 attempts for 350 yards and two touchdowns. The continued absence of Kevin Ness left Philadelphia without its usual rushing threat, although Jimmy Crick contributed 49 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
Jeff Daniels led the Iron Horses with 11 tackles and two pass breakups. Levi Robinson added 10 tackles.
Philadelphia Tech produced enough offense to compete, but its inability to turn 409 yards into more points proved decisive.
| Matchup | Final |
|---|---|
| High Plains Tech vs. Blue Ridge State | High Plains 59-31 |
| Keweenaw Tech vs. Carolina State | Keweenaw 41-38 |
| Acadia State vs. Daytona Beach Tech | Acadia 19-14 |
| Lake Charles State vs. Territorial State | Lake Charles 49-3 |
| Coronado State vs. FCS Southeast | Coronado 41-17 |
| Philadelphia Tech vs. UCF | UCF 38-24 |
The official CAC Offensive Player of the Week set a Blue Ridge State single-game record with 11 receptions for 235 yards and three touchdowns.
Mundy completed 21 of 24 passes for 417 yards and five touchdowns, leading a Storm offense that accumulated 616 yards.
Parker accounted for five total touchdowns, throwing for 260 yards and two scores while rushing for 43 yards and three touchdowns in Keweenaw’s comeback victory.
Derek Peters deserves a special mention after rushing for 175 yards and three touchdowns. In almost any other week, that is comfortably a Three Stars performance.
The official CAC Defensive Player of the Week recorded 10 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and two pass breakups.
Arnoux filled the box score with eight tackles, three tackles for loss, an interception, a pass breakup and a forced fumble in Acadia’s 19-14 win.
Skaggs intercepted two passes and added another pass defended as the Storm forced four Terry Fowler interceptions.
Week 8 brings the first Battle for Appalachia, a showdown between two of the CAC’s most explosive offenses and a major test for unbeaten conference leader High Plains Tech.
Grant’s lines are unofficial projections created for CAC Network coverage.
Grant’s Line: Blue Ridge State -1.5
Over/Under: 72.5
Two mountain programs. Two vulnerable defenses. One rivalry that already feels overdue.
Carolina State enters the Battle for Appalachia after accumulating 557 yards and 38 points in a loss to Keweenaw Tech. Blue Ridge was even more productive in defeat, gaining 597 yards while allowing 616 in its 59-31 loss to High Plains.
The Shiners have Brian Best coming off a 437-yard passing performance, with Sam Mixon and Tyler Choice both surpassing 100 receiving yards. Colin Farwell remains a dangerous scoring threat out of the backfield.
Blue Ridge counters with Sam Osgood, the reigning CAC Offensive Player of the Week. Osgood set a program record with 235 receiving yards and caught three touchdowns against High Plains.
The biggest question surrounds the Wayfinders’ quarterback position. Terry Fowler threw four interceptions last week, including three on consecutive drives to open the second half. Daniel Gammon then completed eight of nine passes for 109 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Rain and 46-degree temperatures in Pisgah could complicate what otherwise looks like a guaranteed shootout. Whichever defense finds one or two stops may decide the first chapter of this Appalachian rivalry.
Grant’s Guess: Blue Ridge State 38, Carolina State 35
The Pick: Blue Ridge State -1.5
Total: Over 72.5
The Wayfinders respond at home, but the Shiners push them to the final possession.
Grant’s Line: High Plains Tech -6.5
Over/Under: 68.5
This may be the best pure football matchup of Week 8.
High Plains is 5-1 overall, 2-0 in the CAC and coming off a 59-point performance. Howie Mundy completed 21 of 24 passes for 417 yards and five touchdowns against Blue Ridge, while Derek Peters rushed for 175 yards and three scores.
Lake Charles answered with its own offensive eruption, scoring 49 points and gaining 537 yards against Territorial State. Mike Walter produced 399 total yards, including 253 passing yards, 146 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
The Trawlers are capable of making this uncomfortable. The concern is whether Walter will have enough time against a High Plains defense that just recorded six sacks and forced four interceptions.
Grant’s Guess: High Plains Tech 41, Lake Charles State 31
The Pick: High Plains Tech -6.5
Total: Over 68.5
Lake Charles scores enough to keep the Storm working, but Miles Webb and the High Plains pass rush eventually take control.
Grant’s Line: Acadia State -6.5
Over/Under: 47.5
Philadelphia Tech moved the ball effectively against UCF, gaining 409 yards behind Kevin Wells’ 350-yard passing performance. The Iron Horses still scored only 24 points and continue to miss running back Kevin Ness.
That imbalance presents a serious problem against Acadia.
The Mainiacs forced three interceptions in their 19-14 victory over Daytona Beach. Gordon Arnoux, James Dillinger and Damon Kacyvenski each recorded a pick, while Arnoux also forced a fumble and made three tackles for loss.
Philadelphia can produce yards through the air, but Acadia has repeatedly demonstrated that it does not need to dominate statistically to win. Johnny Kuberski’s rushing ability and the Mainiacs’ opportunistic defense should allow Acadia to control the game’s pace.
Grant’s Guess: Acadia State 27, Philadelphia Tech 17
The Pick: Acadia State -6.5
Total: Under 47.5
The Iron Horses move the ball, but Acadia creates enough negative plays and turnovers to Earn the Summit again.
Grant’s Line: Coronado State -4.5
Over/Under: 52.5
Coronado State enters Week 8 after producing 548 yards in a 41-17 win over FCS Southeast.
Alex McQuiston threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns, James McMichael rushed for 182 yards and Scott Glennon caught two touchdown passes. That balance makes the Admirals difficult to defend when they stay on schedule.
Lake Superior will attempt to make the game more physical and less comfortable than Coronado’s Week 7 assignment. The Berserkers need to disrupt McQuiston and prevent McMichael from controlling the game on the ground.
Grant’s Guess: Coronado State 31, Lake Superior Tech 20
The Pick: Coronado State -4.5
Total: Under 52.5
The Admirals’ offensive balance travels north, and Coronado pulls away after halftime.
Grant’s Line: No. 24 USF -10.5
Over/Under: 55.5
York Tech gets an opportunity to measure itself against a nationally ranked opponent.
The Oystermen have already shown that they can survive close games and produce points against CAC competition. USF represents a different challenge, particularly on the road, but York has an opportunity to strengthen the conference’s national reputation even without an outright victory.
The Oystermen must avoid giving USF short fields and keep the game within one possession entering the fourth quarter.
Grant’s Guess: No. 24 USF 31, York Tech 24
The Pick: York Tech +10.5
Total: Under 55.5
USF survives at home, but the Oystermen represent themselves and the CAC well.
| Matchup | Grant’s Line | O/U | Grant’s Pick | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina State at Blue Ridge State | Blue Ridge -1.5 | 72.5 | Blue Ridge, Over | BRS 38-35 |
| Lake Charles at High Plains | High Plains -6.5 | 68.5 | High Plains, Over | HPT 41-31 |
| Philadelphia Tech at Acadia | Acadia -6.5 | 47.5 | Acadia, Under | ASU 27-17 |
| Coronado at Lake Superior | Coronado -4.5 | 52.5 | Coronado, Under | COR 31-20 |
| York Tech at No. 24 USF | USF -10.5 | 55.5 | York, Under | USF 31-24 |
| Territorial State at Keweenaw | Keweenaw -17.5 | 51.5 | Keweenaw, Under | KTU 38-10 |
| Delaware at Daytona Beach | Daytona -3.5 | 52.5 | Daytona, Over | DBT 31-23 |