Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) has been picked fourth in the 2024 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Preseason Poll. The Tigers garnered 31 points, including one first-place vote, among the eight schools. H-SC finished last season with a final record of 6-4 overall, including 4-3 in the ODAC for fourth place.

Randolph-Macon was picked first with 48 points, ahead of Washington and Lee (W&L) (43), Bridgewater (33) and H-SC (31), along with Shenandoah (26), Averett (22), Guilford (11) and Ferrum (10). RMC received six first-place votes, while W&L got the other first-place vote.

H-SC is competing in its 130th season of football in 2024. The Tigers are under the direction of first-year head coach Vince Luvara, and begin the campaign with a massive roster of 156 team members, including 74 returners and 82 newcomers-the latter number essential with the addition of a junior varsity squad this fall.

Looking at the offense

The Tigers will be led offensively by junior quarterback Carter Sido (Dallas, TX) and junior wide receiver Mason Cunningham (Arlington). Sido 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. Carter rushed for 210 yards on 26 carries and three rushing touchdowns, totaling 514 yards of total offense in the two games. Cunningham, who earned D3football.com Third Team All-Region 3 and First Team All-ODAC a year ago, started all 10 games with 79 receptions for 794 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Mason 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).

Breaking down the defense

Senior linebacker Jackson Lott (Norfolk) is the leading returning tackler on defense, starting five of 10 games in 2023 while 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. Lott tied for 20th in the ODAC in tackles per game (5.7) and tied for 24th in total tackles. Junior cornerback James Townsend (Hardeeville, SC) started nine of 10 games last fall 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 on November 4 in overtime to preserve the 26-25 OT win). Townsend ranked in a tie for fourth in the ODAC in fumble recoveries (34th nationally) and tied for 10th in forced fumbles.

Beyond ODAC preseason poll, when is kickoff? 

H-SC will open the upcoming campaign 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.