Emory & Henry Looks To End Three Game Losing Streak

BY ALLEN GREGORY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
EMORY, Va. –  There was a somber mood on the Emory & Henry campus last Saturday.

The Wasps saw their conference championship and playoff hopes doomed in a 38-34 loss to Old Dominion Athletic Conference rival Bridgewater. Relying on a power running game and big plays, Bridgewater compiled 517 yards against a once-fearsome defense.

For the past week, E&H head coach Don Montgomery has searched for ways to plug the leaks. Entering today’s game at ODAC rival Catholic, the Wasps are allowing 188 yards rushing and 213 yards passing per game.

“It’s hard to find a silver lining after a loss, but I’m sure I will find some,” Montgomery said. “Maybe it will be some guys stepping up on offense and understanding how good we can be, and maybe we can find some other guys on defense that can step in and make some plays.”

The most reliable playmaker for E&H is junior tailback Caleb Jennings, who continues to defy defensive schemes geared to stop him. Jennings averages 171 all-purpose yards and has scored 12 touchdowns, including bursts of 36 and 42 yards last week.

Jennings said the extra defensive attention has allowed more freedom to his teammates. Quarterback Drew Piscopo has passed for 748 yards, completing 53 percent of his throws.

“We did a really good job on offense against Bridgewater,” Jennings said. “We got the ball to other people and spread out the defense, and it opened running lanes for me. We just didn’t do make the plays that needed to be bad.”

The E&H defense received a boost last week from a pair of former Virginia High School standouts. Sophomore strong safety Daniel Woods and freshman cornerback Anthony Jones both earned starts. Woods paced E&H in tackles with 11, while Jones added seven.
Sophomore linebacker Shane Wicks is the leading tackler for E&H with 72 stops, while 6-foot-4 junior linebacker Ed Smith has contributed five tackles for loss and three sacks.

Catholic (1-6, 0-3) lost 21-7 last week to unbeaten ODAC title contender Hampden-Sydney. The Cardinal average 17 points along with 166 yards rushing and 151 yards passing per game, but allows an average of 25 points and 346 total yards.
The Cardinal features running back Rich Barry (554 yards rushing), quarterback Matt Cantafio (643 yards passing) and receiver Mike Smith (30 receptions).
Jennings said the Wasps remain committed despite their current three-game losing streak.

“Football is the best team game you can play, and it’s the hardest you can play,” Jennings said. “We can’t play blame anybody.”

Montgomery feels the essentials are in place for another final act. The Wasps closed the 2008 season with a blowout win over Guilford, earning a four-way tie for first in the ODAC.

“My guys are talented,” Montgomery said. “We just have to play together.”
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