Column By Gavin Grubbs | Special to The Herald 

With the semester ending this week fall sports seasons are or already have ended while winter sports are just kicking into gear.

These are just some of the highlights and my thoughts.

Coach Butch Jones led the Red Wolf football team back into the postseason for the first time since 2019. After the season started with back to back losses Stony Brook came to town and gave the football team two things. 

Momentum and an identity, Jaylen Raynor was named the starting quarterback after showing promise late in the game for our first win. The next game was the conference opener hosting the Eagles of Southern Mississippi. For the first time in years the Red Wolves dominated a quality opponent winning 44-37. 

This was the springboard leading to a 6-6 (4-4) record and a bid to the Camellia Bowl. The Red Wolves will face off with Northern Illinois on a yet to be announced ESPN network at 11AM on December 23rd.

Cross Country had another solid season making it to the regional meet for the NCAA south. The Red wolves made it by sweeping the Men’s and Women’s divisions at the Rhodes Invitational in Memphis Tennessee. 

The Women’s team won the Sun Belt championship with the Men being the runner up. Unfortunately their season ended at regionals hosted by the University of Arkansas where the Men’s team finished 4th and the Women’s 7th.

Soccer had a down season compared to our standards finishing with a 4-8-4 (2-5-3) record. There were however bright spots in the team. Aliyah Williamson had 3 goals in just 4 shots on goal and Darby Stotts had 3 goals and an assist, totaling 7 points.

Volleyball finished the non-conference slate an impressive 11-4, one of the best years in memory. The momentum failed to carry over into the regular season that had the Red Wolves finishing 16-15 (5-11). 

They did make it to the second round of the SBC tournament falling in 4sets to the Georgia Southern Eagles. 

This qualified the Volleyball team to the NIVC tournament where they were defeated by the Shockers of Wichita State in just 3 sets.

Destinee Rogers is looking to make a leap of success in her second full season as the Head Coach of the Women’s Basketball team. Consistency has been something that this team has needed over the past few seasons and they are looking to obtain it this season. 

Currently sitting at 3-3 the Red Wolves have leaned on Izzy Higginbottom who is averaging 22.3 PPG so far this season. Wins came against Northern Illinois, and in-state opponents Hendrix and UAPB, with losses to SDSU, Arkansas and Kansas City.

Men’s Basketball might have had the highest expectations entering the season especially after going 2-0 in preseason exhibitions. Those expectations have been calmed a little bit after an unfortunate 2-7 start to the regular season with wins over Alcorn State and UTRGV. First Year Head Coach Brain Hodgson brought in Freddy Hicks and Darian Ford from the transfer portal.

Both played High School basketball in Arkansas as well as signing JUCO transfer Zane Butler who played locally at GCT High School to join 5th year Jr. Avery Felts for a total of four in-state players.

Hodgson has also signed the number 1 HS player in Tennessee R’Chaun King as well as ESPN top 200 Josh Hill from Marietta Georgia for the class of 24’. Even with the slow start

There is still a lot of excitement around both basketball programs.

We look forward to seeing you back on campus in the spring where you will have an entire new batch of teams to cheer for.

Categories: Sports