Huntingdon, AL – The Battling Bishops wrapped up the 2023 campaign with a trip to Montgomery, Alabama, to face league rival Huntingdon College (currently ranked #7 in NCAA Region III). NC Wesleyan dropped the competitive contest to fall to 4-3 in the USA South Conference play and 4-6 overall. Huntingdon finishes the season 8-2, 6-1 in conference competition.
Score: North Carolina Wesleyan 0, Huntingdon 21
Location: Huntingdon, AL
Records: North Carolina Wesleyan (4-6, 4-4 USA South), Huntingdon (8-2, 6-1 USA South)
The first quarter proved a defense battle with the Bishops forcing a punt on Huntingdon's opening possession with senior
Sherfield Smith grabbing an interception on the first play of the homestanding Hawks second possession. Wesleyan was unable to convert on the defensive strength including a missed 49-yard field goal attempt by the Bishops freshman phenom
Braxtyn Green.
Green's freshman year rewrote the NC Wesleyan record books booting seven of nine field goals including four from beyond 40 yards and a Wesleyan all-time best 51 yarder at Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Stadium earlier in the season. He finished second in scoring on the season with 39 points behind junior
Anthony Byrd who led the team with 48 total points off a team leading eight touchdowns.
After Huntingdon strung together two touchdowns on their ensuing drives the Bishops responded with a 10 play, 38-yard drive inside the Hawks 25-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. The teams traded punts on the remaining time in the half.
The second continued with strong defense with Wesleyan mounting a charge twice inside the Hawks 30-yard line but ending each possession on downs. The longest of those drives was an 11 play, 77-yard drive to the Huntingdon College 16-yard line. The Bishops outgained the Hawks 141 to 123 in the second half. Huntingdon scored their lone TD of the second half with 1:32 remaining in the game.
Donovan Smith (three catches for 60-yards, longest 51-yards) and
Christian Drumgoole (five catches for 48-yards) led the receiving effort for NC Wesleyan with QB
Zachary Marquis wrapping his Bishop career with 182 yards passing on the day.
Senior
Ronechie Carter led a stellar defensive effort with an incredible individual effort of 18 total tackles (including 11 solo stops), a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Carter also led NCWU in tackles for the season with 77 total tackles and tied for the most forced fumbles with three. Five Bishops totaled five or more tackles including
Eric Cooper,
Terrell Atkinson,
Jeremiah Young (two tackles for loss), Josh Royal and Smith. Cooper finished second on the season in total stops with 56.
