Averett University Athletics

DANVILLE, Va. – Shades of 2024 loomed on Averett University football's Senior Day contest versus US-29 rivals Guilford College on Saturday afternoon, as the Cougar defense locked up the Quakers in the waning moments to seal a 21-14 win at Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.

Before the game, Averett honored 12 seniors, which included Nick Easley, Jaylin Neal, Brandon Saunders, Chavis Martin, Santana Wooten, Alex Rivers, Tyler Poff, Jason Moran, Quinton Freeman, Will Biddlecomb, Debvrin Smith, and Spencer Schaper. 

Following a muffed field goal attempt from Averett (3-6, 1-5 ODAC), Guilford (1-8, 0-6 ODAC) had the ball in its hands to potentiall tie or take the lead in the rivalry contest. Starting from their own 20, opposing quarterback Tristan Gabrels was responsible for every rush and pass attempt to will the visitors into the Averett red zone. For a brief moment, Guilford scored a touchdown, but was called back due to an offensive penalty.

Two plays later, the Quakers faced fourth-and-six from the Cougar 12, and freshman defensive back Sheldon Clark delivered the game-winning pass breakup, which sealed Averett's fourth straight win over their cross-state rivals.

The first score in the contest came from the visitors halfway into the first period. Taking over at their own 39-yard line, Guilford spent roughly four minutes of game time, and finished with an Alex Wilson reception from three yards out for the score, and 7-0 lead. 

Averett's ensuing drive started deep in its own territory, but now sophomore wideout Saunders caught a crucial 26-yard pass early in the drive, and added two more later on. The latter of which, a 17-yard reception from freshman quarterback Keagan Reid, tied the game up as the clock wound down in the first.

Guilford came roaring down the field on its next possession, and eventually found its way to the Averett one-yard line, presumed to score in a flash. Sophomore defensive lineman Jermaine Capel Jr. interfered with those plans, as he stuffed running back Malik Woodard to spoil Guilford's scoring opportunity, keeping the game tied. 

Approaching halftime, the Cougar defense had one of their best possessions of the season. On each down not including the punt, Averett recorded three consecutive sacks, one from freshman defensive lineman Tykeem Ross, and two from Martin. That ultimately culminated in excellent field position from the Quaker 35-yard line, following their punt. 

Three plays later, Reid threw a moon ball to freshman wideout Isaiah Smith, and came down with the catch of his life from 24 yards out and elevated Averett into the lead, 14-7. 

Receiving the ball to start the third, an explosive 47-yard play from sophomore receiver Tre'Sean Suber highlighted a drive where Easley rushed the ball for 23 yards, and Reid ended it with a pass to Saunders again for a score, his second of the game.
Guilford replied back on its opening possession of the period. Nick Danciu commandeered his offense down the field, in which he connected with receiver Camo Campbell for a four-yard score to cut the visitors' lead back down to one score.

The rest of the third period was all backyard defensive football, as neither offense could muster up enough momentum to generate scores. The Quakers had their chances, specifically one at the start of the fourth, but at the Cougar 24-yard line, Danciu's pass for the endzone was intercepted by freshman defensive back Jahlil Bryant. 

Reid had his finest day as a young Cougar, finishing the contest with a 178.0 QBR rating, and completed 17 of 28 passes for 273 yards and three passing scores. Suber's long reception in the game culminated in a three reception, 84-yard day; his yardage paced all Averett wideouts. 

Wooten carried the ball just four times, but led all Cougar rushers with 46 yards on the day. Bryant totaled eight tackles with a tackle for loss, but the defensive player of the game was Martin. He finished Senior Day with four tackles, in which three were sacks. 

Already having surpassed their win total from 2026 by two, Averett looks to cap off the season on a high note, ending 2026 at Bridgewater College on Saturday, Nov. 14. Start time is set for 2 p.m.
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