As the Averett football team prepares for its final game of 2010, it may seem on the surface that other than a win or loss, Saturday's game at N.C. Welseyan College doesn't have much of a storyline. The Cougars' loss last weekend put them out of contention for the USA South Conference championship, so there's nothing left to play for, right?
Wrong. Not even close.
“There's plenty to play for,” senior offensive lineman Phil Blaising said. “There's still a game and a winning season on the line.”
Averett enters the season finale with a 5-4 record (3-3 USA South), meaning the Cougars need a win to finish above .500 overall and in the conference. Furthermore, the Cougars want to send their 17 seniors out on a winning note.
Most of the members of this year's senior class have experienced the lowest of lows. Many of them were a part of the 2007 squad that went 0-10. They have also been a part of the Cougars' rebuilding efforts following that season. Last season, as juniors, that class put Averett in contention for the conference title. The Cougars, however, fell short in the season finale in what turned out to be the unofficial championship game against N.C. Wesleyan.
As the Cougars prepare to play the Bishops again to end the season, the seniors would love for a little payback. Plus, a win over N.C. Wesleyan would knock them out of title contention this year (N.C. Wesleyan could only share the title and wouldn't receive the NCAA berth if Christopher Newport University beats Methodist on Saturday).
“All the seniors have hard feelings against them because we're 0-3 against them since we've been here, plus they took away our conference championship last year,” Blaising said.
Averett had hoped to enter this year's final game with a championship on the line. It looked promising after a 4-1 start. Yet, the Cougars have gone 1-3 since knocking off Christopher Newport on Oct. 9.
“Mentally it has been pretty tough,” Blaising said. “It is hard because we have a lot of talent this year and it's hard to see things unravel.”
That's why Saturday's game is important. Although it wouldn't be the highest of highs, going out on a win would certainly help this year's senior class feel much better about the season.
“We have a lot to play for — for our seniors,” Averett coach Mike Dunlevy said. “They've put a lot of hard work in this program and getting themselves to where they are. To start out 0-10 and to get back to having several winning seasons is a big accomplishment.”
For this year's senior class, it seems hard to believe that the end is here.
“It's going to be incredibly emotional,” fifth-year senior offensive lineman Kevin Roberts said. “It's been five years and it has been coming for a while. It just sneaks up on you. It's starting to come to the realization that it is coming to an end. It's really emotional. It's a hard thing to go through, but it had to happen sometime.”
