HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Hampden-Sydney College is competing in its 130th season of football in 2024. The Tigers are under the direction of first-year head coach Vince Luvara, and it's a new vibe for a program yearning its first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championship in 10 years. Coach Luvara will begin with a massive roster of 151 team members, including 71 returners and 80 newcomers—the latter number essential with the addition of a junior varsity squad. H-SC won the last of its nine ODAC titles in 2014 and the Tigers enter this campaign with that as the ultimate goal. H-SC opens at home against Delaware Valley (PA) University on Saturday, September 7, at 1 p.m. on Fulton Field at Lewis C. Everett Stadium. All games can be heard locally on WVHL Radio, Kickin' Country 92.9 FM, and will also be available worldwide on the Internet at wvhl.net or via the TuneIn Radio App.
 
OFFENSE
Quarterback
H-SC will be led offensively by junior quarterback Carter Sido (Dallas, TX). He started the first two games last season before a season-ending injury, completing 30-48 passes (62.5%) for 304 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions thrown. Sido rushed for 210 yards on 26 carries and three rushing touchdowns for 514 yards of total offense in the two contests. Carter was named the ODAC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a career-high 184 yards and three touchdowns in his first collegiate start, adding a career-high 153 yards passing and one touchdown, totaling 337 yards of total offense and four touchdowns vs. Wabash (IN) last Sept. 2 ... believed to be a school record for single-game rushing yards by a quarterback.
 
"Carter is a great leader," said Luvara. "He not only holds himself accountable, but he holds everyone else accountable. He is as versatile a player at the quarterback position as anyone in the country. The rest of the position group has pushed him every day and made him bring his best throughout preseason camp."
 
Depth at the position includes sophomore quarterback Wade Warren (Raleigh, NC) and junior quarterback Owen Fallen (Richmond), along with freshmen quarterbacks Kahlil Nash (Richmond), Connor Creech (Winston-Salem, NC), Tanner Ballou (Oak Ridge, NC) and Wendell Thompson (Charlotte, NC). Warren played in one game. Fallen played in three games, completing 5-6 passes (83.3%) for 46 yards with no interceptions, rushing for three yards on one carry for 49 yards of total offense.
 
Wide Receiver
The Tigers have their most experience at this position, led by junior wide receiver Mason Cunningham (Arlington), who earned D3football.com Third Team All-Region 3 and First Team All-ODAC last season after starting all 10 games with 79 receptions for 794 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He had three 100-yard receiving games and led the ODAC in receptions, receptions per game (7.9, ninth nationally), receiving yards and receiving yards per game (79.4), tied for third in receiving touchdowns, ranked seventh in all-purpose yards per game (85.8) and ninth in all-purpose yards (858). Mason was named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week after a career-high 199 yards receiving on a game-high 10 receptions and two touchdowns at Averett last October 17.
 
Also expected to start are sophomore wide receiver Ethan Dowdy (Powhatan) and redshirt-freshman wide receiver Manning Lasso (Raleigh, NC). Senior wide receiver Austin Fernandez (Warrenton) and junior wide receivers Joseph Gonzalez (Spotsylvania) and Jordan Jackson (Fredericksburg) will also be on the field frequently. Dowdy played in nine games and had nine receptions for 67 receiving yards. Lasso is a transfer student-athlete from UNC Charlotte where he did not play a year ago during his redshirt season. Fernandez started all 10 games and had 43 receptions for 599 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He had one 100-yard receiving game and ranked fifth in the ODAC in receiving yards and receiving yards per game (79.4), tied for fifth in in receiving touchdowns and receptions per game (4.3), sixth in receptions, 14th in all-purpose yards per game (59.9) and 18th in all-purpose yards (599). Austin has started 20-straight games and was a Second Team All-ODAC selection as a sophomore. Gonzalez played in eight games and had three receptions for 21 receiving yards. Jackson played in nine games and had three receptions for 46 yards.
 
"We have as talented a group at wide receiver as any team in the country," said Luvara. "It was a very competitive camp at that position."
 
Tight End
Senior tight end Sutton Lasso (Raleigh, NC) returns after starting all 10 games last fall with 12 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown. He is the older brother of transfer Manning Lasso.
 
Depth includes senior tight end Ryan Parker (Martinsville), sophomore tight end Kam Mahoney (Bristow) and freshman tight end Connor Shelton (Charlotte, NC). Parker played in one game, and Daniel played in three games, while Mahoney is a transfer student-athlete from Randolph-Macon where he played in three games.
 
"We are very deep at the tight end position," said Luvara. "Sutton had a great camp and Kam gives us a skill set we did not have at tight end in the spring."

Running Back
The Garnet & Grey will open with sophomore running back Terry Hicks (Clayton, NC) and freshman running back Fain Barton (Atlanta, GA) battling for top ball-carrying honors. Depth will come from sophomore running back Ashby Berry (Midlothian) and senior running back JT Diehl (Warrenton). Hicks played in seven games last season and rushed for 81 yards on 14 carries and two rushing touchdowns, adding one reception for six yards receiving. Berry played in one game and rushed for six yards on one carry. Diehl started one of eight games and rushed for 79 yards on 18 carries, adding three receptions for 27 yards receiving and one receiving touchdown.

Additional depth is expected from freshmen running backs Kaelan Ferris (McLean) and M'kel Bellamy (Wilmington, NC).
 
"We had a very competitive camp and look to see a great balance with Terry and Fain, and that position group will get strong as soon as JT gets back," explained Luvara.

Offensive Line
Senior center Logan Cohn (Henrico) returns to anchor the offensive line and could be joined by the likes of junior guard William Stimmel (Atlanta, GA), sophomore tackle Jesse Smith (Madison Heights), junior guard Elijah Griffin (Beuna Vista), fifth-year tackle Dylan Huggins (Warrenton) and freshman guard Thomas Wilson (Charlotte, NC). Cohn has started 19 consecutive games over the past two seasons. Stimmel started four of five games last season. Smith will be seeing his first action, while Griffin played in one game and Huggins played in nine games.

Depth will come from sophomore center Jake Allen (Holly Springs, NC), junior guard Dalton Tate (Charlottesville), junior tackle Robert Caskey (King George), senior guard Gabe Menjivar (Springfield) and senior tackle Pat Coronado (Leesburg). Allen played in nine games, while Tate, Caskey, Menjivar and Coronado have combined to play in five games for the Tigers. Additional depth is expected from freshmen offensive linemen Will Burns (Annapolis, MD), Andrew Lampe (Herndon), Prince Oatman (Wilmington, NC), Jacob Pressinger (Spotsylvania) and Cash Topinka (Charlotte, NC).

"We are very excited with how this group came together," explained Luvara. "Logan will anchor the offensive line and getting Will (Stimmel) and Dylan back healthy will be huge for our success this season. We are very happy with how the freshmen have come along and look forward to seeing how they grow during the season."

DEFENSE
Defensive Line
The defensive line could feature senior defensive end/linebacker Brendan Wallace (Virginia Beach), junior defensive end Jacob McKinney (Springfield), junior defensive tackle Andrew Arthur-Humphrey (Woodbridge) and junior nose guard Bryson Stokes (Martinsville). Wallace started two of nine games last season and had 28 total tackles, including 10 solo and 18 assists, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. McKinney played in all 10 games with 28 total tackles, including 16 solo and 12 assists, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and one pass breakup. Arthur-Humphrey will be seeing his first action this fall. Stokes started one of five games with eight total tackles, including three solo and five assists, and one tackle for loss.

Initial depth on the line begins with senior nose guard Joe Ambrosi (Charlottesville), senior defensive end Will Thomas (Blacksburg), junior defensive end/linebacker Eddie Allen (Richmond), junior defensive tackle Wyatt Croson (Warrenton) and freshman nose guard Jordan Williams (Washington, DC). Ambrosi played in one game last season and had one solo tackle. Thomas started all nine games he played and had 17 total tackles, including three solo and 14 assists, 0.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and one quarterback hurry. Allen and Croson will be seeing their first action this fall. Additional depth will come from junior defensive end Owen Williams (Fairhope, AL), freshman defensive tackle George Sido (Dallas, TX) and freshman defensive end/linebacker Jordan Pence (Charlotte, NC). Owen Williams played in three games and had one solo tackle—a tackle for loss/sack.

Sophomore defensive end Nate DuPuis (Greensboro, NC), freshman defensive tackle Kenen Barlowe (North Chesterfield) and freshman defensive end/linebacker Brandon Ross (Midlothian) should see action, as well.

"The defensive line group is very deep upfront and we are really excited with how they developed from the spring and throughout fall camp," said Luvara.

Linebackers
Junior linebackers Robert Clarke (Atlanta, GA) and Max Pickren (Mount Pleasant, SC) are expected to start along with junior safety/nickel Markevus Graves-Franklin (Lynchburg). Clarke played in eight games a year ago and had eight total tackles, including three solo and five assists. Pickren started nine of 10 games at safety last fall and had 27 total tackles, including 10 solo and 17 assists, and 0.5 tackles for loss. Graves-Franklin played in all 10 games, primarily on special teams and as a reserve running back, but had 13 total tackles on special teams, including six solo and seven assists.

Depth is expected from senior linebackers Jackson Lott (Norfolk) and Walker Marsh (Raleigh, NC), senior cornerback/nickel Kyle Lafayette (Charleston, SC), senior linebacker Dylan Apple (Reidsville, NC) and sophomore cornerback/nickel Daren Brown (Currie, NC). Lott started five of 10 games and was fourth on the team with 57 total tackles, including 18 solo and 39 assists, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups. He tied for 20th in the ODAC in tackles per game (5.7) and tied for 24th in total tackles. Marsh played in seven games and had three total tackles, including two solo and one assist, one fumble recovery. Lafayette played in three games. Apple played in two games and had two total tackles, including one solo and one assist. Daren Brown will be seeing his first action this fall.

Freshmen linebackers Frank Brewer (Charlotte, NC) and Lukas Santwier (Fort Mill, SC) are expected to see action, as well.

"The linebacker group did a very good job improving all spring and during fall camp," said Luvara. "Robert has had a very strong fall camp and he has the potential to have a huge season for us."

Secondary
Senior free safety Joseph Pierre (Mobile, AL), along with junior cornerback James Townsend (Hardeeville, SC), sophomore cornerback Jay Daniels (Arlington) and freshman cornerback Parks Cromwell (Charlotte, NC) should open as starters in the secondary. Pierre started one of eight games last season and had 11 total tackles, including five solo and six assists, and 1.0 tackles for loss. Townsend also started nine of 10 games and was 10th on the team with 33 total tackles, including 21 solo and 12 assists, 2.0 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one blocked PAT kick vs. Shenandoah in overtime last November 4 to preserve a thrilling 26-25 win. He ranked in a tie for fourth in the ODAC in fumble recoveries (34th nationally) and tied for 10th in forced fumbles. Daniels played in seven games and had 13 total tackles, including four solo and nine assists, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

Depth in the secondary to begin the season will come from senior cornerback Jonah Brown (Raleigh, NC), senior strong safety Seamus DeVol (Silver Spring, MD), junior free safety Jack Shryock (Davidson, NC) and sophomore cornerback Cam Jackson (Alexandria). Jonah Brown played in one game. DeVol played in eight games and had six total tackles, including three solo and three assists. Shryock played in nine games and had four total tackles, including one solo and three assists. Jackson will be seeing his first action this fall.

Sophomore free safety Casey Clark (Sykesville, MD), freshman strong safety Mason Hopper (Alexandria) and freshman free safety Carson Magyar (Jacksonville, FL) should also see action.

"When you lose as many starters in the defensive backfield, including the school's all-time leading tackler in Will Pickren (366), you expect to see a step backward … but I cannot be happier with how we've grown and developed in the secondary," explained Luvara. "We had a very competitive camp at defensive back and I look forward to watching them continue to grow."

Kicking/Specialists
Senior placekicker Elijah Swett (Matthews, NC) and junior punter McRae Ball (Alpharetta, GA) are expected to handle the respective kicking duties. Swett played in all 10 games last season and was 36-42 on PAT kicks (86%) and 9-14 on field goals (64%) with a long of 41 yards, and averaged 57.2 yards on 56 kickoffs with four touchbacks. He ranked third in the ODAC in kick scoring (63) and was third in field goal percentage (46th nationally) and field goals per game (0.90, 30th nationally). Ball played in two games and averaged 44.0 yards on two punts, including a long of 45 yards.

Sophomore placekicker/punter Camden Richardson (Midlothian) is expected to challenge at both spots, while freshman placekicker Jack Slokker (Richmond) looks to get on the field, as well. Richardson played in three games and averaged 55.8 yards on two kickoffs.

Junior long snapper Quinton Waddy (Bristow) returns to handle snapping on extra points and field goals, while Jake Allen returns to snap on punts.

"We are very excited with how our special teams have shaken out," said Luvara. "We feel we should have one of the best kicking units in the country with our depth at kicker."

Return Specialists
Joseph Gonzalez is expected to feature on kick returns, while Mason Cunningham returned punts a year ago. Gonzalez earned D3football.com Second Team All-Region 3 honors last year, averaging 23.9 yards on 19 kick returns, including a long return of 91 yards for a kick return touchdown vs. Ferrum last Oct. 7. He ranked third in the ODAC in kick return average and was one of three players in the ODAC with a kick return touchdown, and tied for 11th in Division III in kickoff return touchdowns and ranked 43rd in kick return average. Cunningham averaged 5.6 yards on 10 punt returns, including a long return of 19 yards, and ranked third in the ODAC in punt return average.

Coaching Staff
Coach Luvara is assisted on his staff this fall by Zach Zullinger '07 (Defensive Line, Recruiting Coordinator, Special Teams Coordinator), David Clark, Jr. (Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers), Ryan Wilson (Offensive Coordinator), Max Beal (Co-Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line), Josh Baker '22 (Tight Ends, Co-Special Teams Coordinator, Video Coordinator), Virnel Moon (Wide Receivers, Passing Game Coordinator), Jadin Davis (Cornerbacks), Tim Kidd-Glass (Safeties), George "Deke" Summers '67 (Quarterbacks), Melik Frost '24 (Running Backs), Joe Freeland (Outside Linebackers) and Richard Ramirez (Director of Sports Performance for Football).

Editor's Note: Please look for game-by-game previews and game notes, including updated and current depth charts, weekly on Thursdays throughout the 2024 season.