Football
Schedule
Walsh (3-2, 2-1 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (1-4, 1-2 G-MAC) | 4 p.m. ET Saturday, Oct. 12 | Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium | Hillsdale, MI
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Additional Info
Hillsdale Roster | Walsh Roster | Hillsdale Stats | Walsh Stats | G-MAC Schedule | G-MAC Standings
Last Week
The Chargers picked up their first win of the season on the street due to a powerful second quarter and glorious protection, beating Northwood 14-13 for his or her 10th straight win over the Timberwolves. Connor Pratt caught a 14-yard landing move from Colin McKernan to offer Hillsdale a 7-3 lead within the second quarter, its first lead of the season, and a Zach Tetler landing run later within the quarter gave Hillsdale a 14-3 edge. Northwood hit a area aim earlier than the half and scored on the primary drive of the third quarter to chop Hillsdale's result in one level, however the Chargers shut out Northwood from there and used an over eight-minute clock killing drive within the fourth quarter to safe the victory.
Scouting the Opposition
Hillsdale faces a troublesome defensive take a look at for homecoming against a massively improved Walsh crew that is firing on all cylinders offensively after 5 years of ending in or close to the basement of the league standings.
Keying Walsh is a whole offensive turnaround, because the Cavaliers have gone from the worst scoring offense within the G-MAC in 2023 to the league's premiere dashing assault this season. A giant piece of it's cell quarterback Dalys Jett, who has 4 dashing touchdowns in 4 video games whereas additionally placing up huge numbers within the passing recreation.
Jett missed final week's contest however backup quarterback T.C. Molk rushed for a 68-yard landing and was 16-for-16 passing in a 63-34 demolition of Lake Erie as nicely, so each gamers current threats for Hillsdale irrespective of who begins. The quarterbacks pair with a steady of tailbacks, as Cameron Macon, Dante Walker and Jake Gill have all gotten 40 or extra carries and performed nicely with the chance.
Walsh's dynamic dashing assault opens up the potential for large performs within the passing recreation, as six completely different receivers have catches of 40 or extra yards already this season. ODU switch Garrett Waite and sophomore Anthony Harris lead a gaggle that is targeted on chunk performs downfield, to devastating success thus far.
The Cavaliers are placing up these numbers behind a retooled offensive line, as solely proper guard Brandon Kennedy returns from final yr's unit. Despite all the brand new faces up entrance, Walsh has proven strong chemistry, conceding simply seven sacks thus far in 5 video games.
Walsh's offense has been glorious, and it is helped compensate for a protection that has but to match that very same degree. The Cavaliers have had their moments however have given up 21 or extra factors thrice in 5 video games, and must be higher down the stretch if Walsh is to make a title push.
The energy of Walsh's protection is the linebacking corps, led by multi-time All-G-MAC participant Cam Hollobaugh, the Cavaliers' main tackler who additionally has two interceptions on the season, and veteran stalwart Rocco Iacino. The Cavaliers have gotten a powerful move rush this season from ends Chris Jones and Koty Henry, who've seven sacks between them, as nicely. Cornerbacks Jajuan Jackson and safeties Marvin Conkle and Robbie Page lead a secondary that is proven flashes however has additionally been a hassle spot at instances for Walsh this season.
Walsh has continuity on particular groups with returners at kicker in Trent Doerfler, who's 3 of 5 on area targets with an extended of 33, and at punter with Garrett Kashner, who's averaging 37.5 yards per punt. Jackson and Waite are the return males for the Cavaliers, and Waite particularly has been harmful with a 92 yard kickoff return TD already this season.
The Series
Hillsdale has an 8-0 file all-time against Walsh, together with a 28-3 win on the street over the Cavaliers final November. The Chargers have completely dominated the collection past the file, as Hillsdale has gained all eight conferences by double digits, with the closest matchup a 31-21 Hillsdale win at Walsh through the spring 2021 season through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Other Notes
- New head coach Nate Shreffler could also be in his first season as the person in cost, however the veteran coach isn't any stranger to the game and to Hillsdale. Shreffler is coming into his 26th season as a coach for the Chargers after profitable stints because the crew's offensive line coach (1999-2009) and offensive coordinator (2010-2023). Hillsdale's all-time main passer, rusher and receiver all performed in offenses led by Shreffler, and he was the place coach of Hillsdale's most up-to-date NFL draft decide, Jared Veldheer. A 1993 graduate of Hillsdale College, Shreffler was a three-year starter on the offensive line and an necessary a part of the crew's 1992 convention title.
- 2024 marks the second season in a row that Hillsdale has began 0-4, however like 2023, the Chargers have the chance for one more huge turnaround. A win over Northwood in 2023 was the primary of six wins within the ultimate seven video games to complete with a profitable file. Time will inform if Hillsdale can repeat the feat in 2024, however they've the win over Northwood already and an opportunity to get on a roll this week at house against Walsh.
- The greatest energy on paper for the Chargers is a veteran offensive line, and particularly an inside trio who're all coming into their third yr collectively as starters. Senior heart Nick Affholter, a two-time All-G-MAC participant and two-time Hillsdale lineman of the yr anchors the unit. He's flanked on the left by guard Eli Haidamous, one other All-G-MAC honoree, and on the appropriate by his twin brother, Ben Affholter, who might need been an All-Conference participant as nicely in 2023 if he hadn't missed time whereas recovering from an damage. Along with that gifted trio, Hillsdale additionally returns proper sort out Carter Cushman as a second-year starter.
- After struggling working the ball within the first 4 video games of the season, Hillsdale's offense had a breakout contest on the bottom with 149 yards to assist topple Northwood. Key to the trouble was senior Logan VanEnkevort, who has spent the final two years as a slot receiver however returned to the backfield against the Timberwolves and had the most effective dashing day by a Chargers participant in 2024. Maintaining that newfound success on the bottom shall be key to a powerful end.
- Sophomore extensive receiver Shea Ruddy is off to a sensational begin in 2024, at the moment sitting in second within the entirety of NCAA DII in All-Purpose yards by 5 video games. A multi-dimensional weapon, Ruddy was named G-MAC Special Teams Player of the Week after a three-touchdown efficiency in Hillsdale's Sept. 28 loss at Findlay that noticed him catch two landing passes of 30-plus yards, rating on a 93-yard kickoff return and put up 343 yards from scrimmage whereas ending because the Chargers' main rusher and receiver. Continuing to seek out methods to get the ball in his palms shall be a precedence for Hillsdale within the again half of the season.
- Hillsdale's main tackler in 2023 and Linebacker of the Year Jacob Vance returns for his sophomore season in 2024, after a meteoric rise the yr earlier than. As a redshirt freshman, Vance did not gown for the primary two video games of the season, and did not crack the lineup till every week 4 contest against Findlay. Despite the late begin, Vance shortly established himself as one of many Chargers' most dependable defensive gamers and contributed enormously to Hillsdale's season-ending profitable streak. Already in 2024 he leads the crew in tackles with 36 and tackles for loss with seven, whereas additionally placing up two sacks as nicely.
- Sophomore Drake Badger has helped enhance Hillsdale's move rush as a disruptive presence on the road for the Chargers. Badger has a team-leading 2.5 sacks in 5 video games this season, and likewise has damaged up three passes and compelled and recovered a fumble, together with 4 tackles for loss. The finish will look to step up his recreation even additional to assist the Chargers get again on observe for the house stretch of the season.
- Hillsdale's two everlasting captains this season are VanEnkevort and junior defensive finish Landon VanBeek. VanEnkevort was Hillsdale's Special Teams Player of the Year in 2023 and is considered one of Hillsdale's most versatile gamers, having performed as many as six completely different positions for the Chargers over the previous two seasons. His success on and off the enjoying area has earned him a number of accolades, together with semifinalist recognition for the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Award, the game's educational Heisman Trophy. VanBeek, in the meantime, has been a crucial a part of Hillsdale's defensive position for a number of seasons and is making the transfer to finish this fall after excelling on the inside for Hillsdale in 2023.
- The Charger soccer program continued to shine academically this previous season, with eight gamers incomes College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, together with returners Benjamin Affholter, Bart Bixler and Ty Williams. In addition, 48 Hillsdale soccer gamers obtained Academic All-G-MAC honors for posting a 3.3 or higher cumulative GPA by the spring 2023 semester.
- The Charger soccer program has lengthy been identified for its sturdy household custom, and that continues in 2024 with a number of units of brothers on the roster. On the offensive line, twin brothers Nick Affholter and Benjamin Affholter (Quincy, MI/Reading) will maintain down inside line spots for the third straight season, and are joined on the roster by youthful brother Zac Affholter, a real freshman lineman. All three are sons of Brad Affholter, a multi-year starter on the Charger offensive line within the mid-90s and an assistant coach with the crew in 2023. There are a number of different sibling duos on the crew — sophomore extensive receiver Corban Creason (Coppell, TX/Founders Classical Academy) and freshman defensive again Christian Creason; junior offensive lineman John VanOpstall (Jenison, MI/Jenison) and youthful brother Chris VanOpstall, and sophomore extensive receiver Shea Ruddy (Temperance, MI/Ottawa Lake Whiteford) and freshman defensive again Ryin Ruddy. Along with these sibling pairs, a number of different gamers on the roster have older brothers, fathers or grandfathers who suited up for earlier Charger groups.
