When Averett travels to take on Christopher Newport University on Saturday, it will be a test on multiple levels. Not only do the Cougars want to change their luck against the Captains, they view this game as a measuring stick for where they're at this season.
Averett (3-1, 1-0 USA South) has gotten off to its second-best start in program history after winning three straight following a loss to a tough Hampden-Sydney College team that enters the weekend with a 4-0 record. Although Averett has shown signs of greatness in its three wins, those victories are against teams that are a combined 3-9 record this season.
“I'm not sure that we've been fully tested,” Averett head coach Mike Dunlevy said.
As the Cougars prepare to take on Christopher Newport (1-3, 1-0 USA South), it's a little different. While the Captains don't have a flashy record, they've played some tough competition early on. Two of CNU's losses are to No. 3 Wesley and a 4-1 Salisbury team.
On paper, Christopher Newport may not appear be the juggernaut that they've been in the past, but the Cougars aren't taking the Captains lightly. That's because Averett is 1-8 alltime against Christopher Newport, with the only win for the Cougars coming in 2005 in Danville. Since that 38-30 Averett win, CNU has scored more than 40 points in three of its four meetings.
Averett's defense will be need to play a huge role in halting that trend if the Cougars wish to come away from Newport News with their first ever win at POMOCO Stadium.
“I think our defense is getting better, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Dunlevy said. “This will be a big test for us and our defense. This will maybe show us where we are at.”
After giving up 45 points to Hampden-Sydney in the season-opener, the Cougars' defense has been strong. It hasn't allowed an opponent more than 10 points in any of the past three contests. Averett's unit ranks first among USA South Conference teams in rushing defense and scoring defense. Not bad numbers considering the Cougars have either started or heavily used some true freshmen on defense this season.
“To come from high school to the collegiate level and be able to jump right in, they've really impressed me,” veteran cornerback
Jerel Robinson said of the team's freshmen.
Freshman
Stefan Varner has started all four games at safety, and several other freshmen such as linebacker
Skyler Richardson — who along with Varner ranks in the top five among Averett tackles — have played in crucial backup roles.
“We're continuing to grow each game, especially with our young defensive backs and the secondary,” senior linebacker
Mario Huffman said. “I think we've taken a good step each week. We just have to continue to grow and make sure we stay focused.”
Staying focused is one of Averett's keys to victory against Christopher Newport this week. Huffman admitted that the Cougars may have entered last year's meeting a little too confident. CNU took advantage with a 43-12 victory on Averett's home turf.
“I feel like we are in the same position as last year,” Huffman said. “I don't know if we went in a little too confident last year but this year we just want to focus and make sure we go in there and put ourselves in position to win the ball game.”
Aside from Christopher Newport's 1-3 overall record, the Captains are a different team than they were the past few years. CNU lost Tunde Ogun, a punishing tailback that consistently gave Averett fits, to graduation. However, that doesn't mean the Captains aren't as talented.
“They still have good athletes and that's the thing,” Dunlevy said. “Maybe they don't have that big, bruising tailback that they've had in the past, but they've got a good tailback.”
Keith Gaines has been CNU's main rushing component, accruing 259 yards and three touchdowns on 70 carries. The Captains have been more reliant on the passing combination of quarterback Matt Long to receiver T.J. Foster, who has 18 catches for 501 yards and five touchdowns.
“They've got some fast receivers and T.J. Foster is their big play guy,” Dunlevy said. “They are still a team that's going to come out with good talent and be well coached.”
Averett certainly expects to get CNU's best effort, as always. And this time, the Cougars feel they're ready.
“I think we're focused more,” Robinson said. “We really feel like we have a chance to win the championship this year. That just motivates us to practice hard and continue to take care of our assignments on Saturdays.”
Win or lose, this week's game may not decide the USA South title. But it will go a long way in telling the Cougars where they stand.
