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By Jim O'Hara
ROME, Ga. – They just played a team that could be well on its way toward becoming a rising star in the NCAA Division I FCA ranks.
Then there's next week's trip to the other end of Georgia where they'll take on the defending Division II national champions that not surprisingly is the top-ranked team this season and the first of five matchups against ranked teams.
The Shorter Hawks, however, fully understand that the team they face Thursday night in their home opener at Barron Stadium is an even bigger challenge.
"We've got a big challenge ahead of us," Shorter head coach Phil Jones said about the Hawks' non-conference showdown at Barron against the Mars Hill University Lions, the first-ever meeting between the two programs that kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and has been selected to be televised as the GSC-TV Game of the Week.
"They're well coached and they've been a tough Division II team for a long time," Jones went on to say as both teams enter the game coming off season-opening losses – Shorter was handed a 23-15 defeat at and are looking to break into the win column. "Last year they were in the hunt for the (South Atlantic Conference) championship up until that last game, so that tells you a whole lot about them."
Before Shorter played its first-ever Gulf South Conference game a year ago, the Hawks got a taste of the South Atlantic Conference when they took on Newberry and came away on the downside of the final score. The Lions, however, will be playing their second straight game against a GSC member having lost a 31-21 decision to West Georgia last Saturday.
Mars Hill, Jones points, out has always had strong ties to Greater Rome as the Lions recruited heavily in the area with many of those former Lions becoming coaches in the local high school ranks. The connection also is seen between the coaches – both graduated from Mercer, Jones is friends with MHU defensive coordinator Kevin Barnette thanks to their involvement with the FCA camp in Black Mountain, N.C.
Relationships aside, Jones, his coaching staff and the Hawks know that the Lions will bring their A-game to Barron.
Based out of a Pro I formation that morphs into various looks, Mars Hill's offense proved what it is capable of against West Georgia as the Lions outgained the Wolves in total yards, 348-355, with Shaikel Davis led leading the output rushing for 112 yards.
"They're very versatile on offense," Jones said about the Lions, noting that MHU quarterback Trent Miller threw for 167 yards and two touchdowns last week, "and like to change up their look on defense, and they're big on both sides of the ball."
Playing big on the defensive side of the ball last week for MHU was Chamarcus Pittard, who led the Lions' defense with 14 tackles, a tackle-for loss and an interception he returned 51 yards that gave Mars Hill the halftime lead. Troy Harris, who was the SAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, is also a key cog for the Lions' defense.
What is vital, however, for the Hawks is how they play their own game when they have the ball and when they are trying to get it back.
"We have to stop having loss-of-yardage plays," Jones said of what Shorter's offense has to improve, citing the problem the Hawks had in the opener. "Our offense is based on controlling the ball and when you have negative yards on a play, you can't do that."
Against Southern, Shorter wound up rolling up a game-high 323 yards, saw senior fullback Bradley Moon lead all rushers with 120 yards and scored on the game's first possession on a 50-yard scoring pass from Eric Dodson to Kirk Wilson.
But after that TD toss, Shorter was kept in check as the Hawks turned the ball over on downs at the CSU 31 on their next possessions and for the remaining five possessions of the first half never cross midfield.
That first half saw Southern score 23 unanswered points, but the Shorter defense stiffened in the second half, giving up less than 50 yards in total offense. Senior linebacker Josh White led the Hawks' defense recording 10 combined tackles, who up front the defensive line of sophomores Howard Stephens and Greg Carswell, and red-shirt freshman Travaris Horton combined to make seven solo hits, 12 unassisted tackles and a pair of tackles for losses.
"I really believe that what our defense did in the second half," Jones said, "is what they'll become. They really came to play. It was very encouraging."
What will be even more encouraging for the Hawks will be securing a win as next week they head to Valdosta for their GSC opener against the Valdosta State Blazers, who won the 2012 national title and tops the Top 25 poll this year.
"It doesn't get any easier," said Jones, "but right now Mars Hill is who we have to focus on."
