Gardner-Webb ready for Saturday’s Big South Championship showdown with North Carolina A&T

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (WBTV) – Saturday down in Boiling Springs, Gardner-Webb will play one in every of their largest soccer video games in program historical past.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs will host North Carolina A&T with the winner claiming the Huge South Convention title and beginning into the FCS playoffs.

“That is what we dreamed of at Gardner-Webb once I took this job again in 2020,” mentioned Gardner-Webb head coach Tre Lamb. “You don’t get a number of these sort of alternatives as a coach or a participant in your lifetime so we need to ensure we take pleasure in each single second, absorb all of the noise, and all the great things that’s going to occur on Saturday.”

GW’s final convention title got here again in 2003, however they weren’t capable of get the convention’s automated bid to the NCAA match as a result of the league didn’t have sufficient groups to qualify for an automated bid. The Runnin’ Bulldogs had been additionally denied an at giant bid by the choice committee.

So a win on Saturday means GW will qualify for the FCS playoff for the very first time.

“It’s not simply one other recreation,” mentioned coach. “I feel our guys perceive that. There’s rather a lot on the road.”

However to reduce a few of that stress, coach hasn’t actually targeted on the previous struggles of this program or mirrored again on the success of again to again titles in 2002 and 2003.

“It’s actually extra about our crew,” mentioned coach. “We received the prospect to do one thing particular. Nothing else sooner or later issues, nothing else previously matter, the one factor that matter is 12 o’clock on Saturday.

One other key to success Saturday for GW is enjoying this recreation similar to some other this season.

“We don’t need to go on the market and run 10 trick performs, 3 pretend punts, and a pretend subject purpose to win the sport. I feel our expertise, our tradition, and our greatest gamers are those that can win this soccer recreation.”

Offensively, GW can get it achieved with quarterback Bailey Fisher main the best way.

The senior has thrown for over 2 thousand yards with 16 passing TD and seven speeding TD. However he has some nice weapons to assist him out.

On the skin, TJ Luther and Cutrell Haywood have been a dynamic one-two punch at broad receiver. Luther has over a thousand yards receiving with 51 catches and Haywood leads the Huge South in receptions with 64. When the main target turns to the passing recreation, GW can hit opponents with the working recreation as effectively with Narii Gaither.

The truth that GW is on this spot is really outstanding. The Runnin’ Bulldogs began the season 1-4 because of one of many hardest schedules within the nation. That powerful schedule clearly received them prepared for the convention slate as they’re at the moment 4-0.

One more reason for the powerful begin was the very fact they they didn’t play many house video games. Saturday will probably be solely their 4th recreation in Boiling Springs this season and what a time to lastly be again in Spangler Stadium.

“It will most likely be the very best crowd in perhaps Gardner-Webb historical past,” mentioned coach. “I anticipate them (A&T) to journey effectively. I anticipate us to have lots of people within the stands. We received some excessive precedence recruits and transfers coming. It’s simply going to be a fantastic day and I need to ensure we relish each second.

Kickoff Saturday is at midday at Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs.

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