Game Notes
SALISBURY, NC – The Livingstone Blue Bears and Chowan Hawks kick off their 2011 football seasons in a Thursday night matchup in Murfreesboro, NC at 6:00 p.m.
OFFENSE
On the offensive side of the ball, transfer Jaren Troutman will start at quarterback for the Blue Bears while sophomore returner Levon Stanley will be the backup. Stanley was Livingstone's top passer last season, finishing with 406 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Whoever is under center, they will be protected by an experienced offensive line which includes three returners (Allyne Hall, Josiah Simms and Chris Woodard), a Division I transfer in Harlee Frink and freshman Stuart Wallace. These front five will be expected to help improve the passing and rushing attack that was in the bottom of the CIAA last season.
In the backfield, Livingstone has a strong returning core with senior Jamel Moore, junior Terrill Gourdine and sophomore Tevin Mishoe. Each of them finished in the top four in rushing for the Blue Bears last season. The Blue Bears have also added some depth, starting with Javon Williams, a freshman from Goldsboro, NC.
Livingstone returns only one wide receiver from last season, sophomore Anthony Holland. Holland finished with 277 receiving yards last season, but failed to find the endzone. Carl James, Levell Sears and Craig Murdock are all incoming freshmen who hope to see some playing time at the wideout spot. Miles Harris will anchor the tight end position to start the season. Harris played a multitude of positions last year including tight end, running back and punter/kicker.
DEFENSE
The defense returns a strong core overall, but the defensive line will see the most changes to start this season. The only returning starter is senior Michael Haygood who had 27 tackles last season including two sacks. Freshman Devin Evans will occupy the tackle position while Wesley Jackson, a transfer from the New Mexico Military Institute and freshman Bobby Williams will work at the defensive end positions.
At linebacker, the Blue Bears will look for returners Justin Johnson, Travis Holliday and Tyheim Pitt to lead the group. Holliday and Johnson led the returning linebackers in tackles last season with 38 and 37 respectively. Returners Scott Farmer and Ernest Fordham will be the primary backups along with freshman Andrew West.
Senior Devonta Harmon will be looked upon to bring leadership to the defensive backs as he starts at the free safety position. Harmon was second on the team in tackles last season with 57. Freshman Anthony Townsend is slated to start at the strong safety spot while junior Isiah Simms and freshman Justin Avery will start at the corners.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The special teams will have a true kicker/punter this year as Hillman Tabi joins the Blue Bears out of Maryland. Jamel Moore, the team's leading return man last year, will again see significant time with the special teams. Contributions from Javon Williams and Anthony Holland are also expected in the return game.
CHOWAN
The Hawks went 3-7 last season, picking up victories over St. Paul's, Lincoln (PA) and Virginia Union. Chowan scored an average of 18.7 points per game while allowing 41.3 points per contest. Chowan relied heavily on its passing attack as the Hawks averaged 195.6 passing yards per game while amassing 79.8 yards per game on the ground.
Chowan returns its leading rusher from last season, Elliot Smalls, who averaged 64.6 yards per game with five total touchdowns. The Hawks did lose their top two passers from a year ago, but it's All-CIAA wide receiver, Robert Holland has returned. On the defensive side, three of Chowan's top four tackle leaders return, led by Jason Ampy who totaled 49 tackles.
THE SERIES
The Hawks and Blue Bears have only met twice since Chowan entered the CIAA with Chowan taking both contests.
THE LAST MEETING
The last time these two teams met was on October 10, 2009 in Salisbury, NC. In a high-scoring affair, Chowan came out on top 42-33. Livingstone trailed 14-13 at halftime, but went scoreless in the third quarter while the Hawks added two touchdowns to increase their lead to 28-13. The Blue Bears got within eight at 35-27 with 8:20 to play, but the Hawks took the ensuing kickoff back 84 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach for the Blue Bears.
GAME UPDATES
Fans can follow live live updates at www.twitter.com/lcbluebears.
WEATHER FORECAST
The Blue Bears and Hawks should find temperatures in the low- to mid-80s at game time on Thursday with lower humidity and no chance of rain.
NEXT WEEK FOR THE BLUE BEARS
Livingstone will continue on the road next weekend when they head to Rocky Mount, NC to meet the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University in the Down East Football Classic. Game time is slated for 4 p.m.
GAME RECAPS
A full game recap with statistics will be available online at www.bluebearathletics.com following the contest.
