Photo Credit: Jean Peck
BREVARD, N.C. – The Brevard College Tornados Football team is set to open up its 2019 campaign on Saturday, September 14 at 1 p.m., as the Tornados take on the Apprentice School Builders (1-0) at Brevard Memorial Stadium.
The contest will be live-streamed and simulcast through the Brevard College Tornados YouTube and BoxCast channels, with play-by-play commentary provided by Chuck Sebastian. Live statistics will be available on www.bctornados.com, and live updates will be posted on the Brevard College Tornados social media channels as they become available.
The contest will serve as BC's annual Hometown Heroes game, where anyone who serves as a First Responder will be admitted into Saturday's game free of charge. The game will also celebrate Family Weekend at Brevard College.
Brevard comes into the 2019 campaign following back-to-back four-win seasons under third-year Head Coach Bill Khayat and staff. The Tornados will look to sustain the success that they enjoyed a year ago at home, as Brevard's 4-1 home record last season tied the NCAA-era record for most home wins and was the highest winning percentage for Tornados in NCAA-era history.
The 2019 BC Tornados Football team enters the upcoming campaign with 60-plus newcomers in addition to its 50-plus returners.
Among those returners is quarterback Dalton Cole, the 2018 USA South Offensive Rookie of the Year, alongside two USA South All-Conference performers: wide receiver Ralph Roman III and defensive back Quentin Jackson.
Cole, a native of Hendersonville, N.C., enjoyed a stellar freshman campaign that saw the left-hander record 1,648 passing yards, complete 60.4% of his passes, and throw a conference-best 20 touchdowns.
Roman III, a native of Ahwatukee, Az., served as the team's punter last season in addition to his receiving duties. He was the team's second-leading receiver, hauling in 38 receptions for 371 yards and a touchdown. Roman's all-conference punting ability showed last year when the senior 38 punts for 1376 yards, an average of 36.2 yards per punt. He landed 14 punts inside of the 20-yard line and had a long of 55 yards.
Jackson, a native of Columbia, Md., helped lead a Tornado secondary that ranked first in the USA South in fewest passing yards allowed per game (170.2). The junior defensive back enjoyed a breakout campaign, tallying a team-best four interceptions while breaking up four passes, recording 44 tackles, and recovering a fumble.
Apprentice School, who opened their 2019 season by hosting USA South Conference member Greensboro College last Saturday, enter Brevard on a high note after besting the Pride by a final score of 23-8. Offensively, the Builders were sparked by quarterback Mason Tatum, who completed 20 of his 36 passes for a staggering 358 yards and two scores. The Builders out-gained the Pride, 460-303, while Apprentice's defense caused two turnovers in the contest.
The Builders are a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and compete in the EMAC. Led by second-year Head Coach John Davis, Apprentice finished 9-3 last season and won the National Club Football Association (NCFA) national championship.
The Tornados hosted a controlled scrimmage on August 31 at Brevard Memorial Stadium versus Southern Virginia University to close out their preseason preparations. To take a closer behind-the-scenes look at the scrimmage, please click here to view highlights.
What you need to know before you go – Apprentice vs. Brevard:
Admission - $10 for Adults, Kids under 12 are free, BC Students free with BC ID, Visiting Students $5 with school ID.
Parking – All parking is free. There is a designated Tornado Club lot outside of the stadium for Tornado Club members.
Be Advised – No pets (excluding service animals) are allowed on Brevard High School and Brevard Memorial Stadium property.
Be Advised – No Alcohol or Tobacco products are to be present on Brevard High School and Brevard Memorial Stadium property.
All first responders (Police, EMS, Fire, and Rescue) will be admitted into Saturday's game as part of Brevard College's annual Hometown Heroes game.
To follow the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, subscribe to 'Brevard College Tornados'' on YouTube, follow 'Brevard College Tornados' on SoundCloud, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
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