Football Cats Host Point University
In game one of the season, the Bethel Wildcat offense was the thing all talked about as the Wildcats put 77 points on the board versus Arkansas Baptist. Lost in all the excitement was Bethel's defense which had twenty stops for losses and allowed just seven points to the visitors from Little Rock.
The defense shined again Saturday holding No. 9 Reinhardt to eight points as the Cats pulled off a 16-8 upset victory in Waleska.
The Cats return home Saturday to host Point University at 1 p.m. on Henry County Schools Day. The Cats are 2-0 while Point is 0-2. The Skyhawks have losses to Cumberland University (34-7) and Faulkner (14-10).
It will be the second meeting between the Hawks and the Wildcats. The game will be the 480th game in program history. Bethel is 186-285-8 all-time. It will be the second of six home games the Cats will play this season. Bethel plays four of its first six games at home. They have five road games.
All teachers, administrators and students of Henry County are invited with free admission. All are encouraged to wear school colors and or have a school ID.
Game Coverage: Catch the action on WEIO, 100.9 and at https://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/v5/WEIO
Live video: https://bethelathletics.com/WildcatVision
Live stats: https://bethelathletics.com/sports/fball/2022-23/boxscores/20220910_bbev.xml
Tickets & Fan Attendance:
Ticket/fan policy - all are welcomed.
Purchase tickets in advance at: https://bethelathletics.com/bethel-box-office
Tickets can also be purchased digitally at the gate. It will be a cashless gate.
Gates open at 11:30 a.m.
Last Meeting & Series:
It will be the second meeting between the two programs. The only other game was a 48-21 Bethel win in 2019.
Last Week:
(Bethel)
The (RV) Wildcats and the No. 9 Reinhardt Eagles met for the eighth time Saturday. As in the past, it was another intense and hard-fought affair.
Reinhardt scored and went for two to lead 8-0. Bethel's Joaquin Collazo scored on a one-yard effort to make it 8-6.
What appeared to be a high scoring affair with both teams scoring on their first possessions, turned into being anything but that. Both defensive squads were stout after those first two scores.
In the second quarter, Bethel's defense stopped the Eagles on a fourth and three from inside their own 15-yard line. Timothy Hamilton defected a RU pass attempt to deny the Eagles. Later the Cats, forced RU into a 26-yard field goal attempt which was missed. The Eagles led 8-6 at the half.
On their second possession of the third quarter, the Cats finally got the big play they were looking for. Joaquin Collazo hit J D Dixon on a 47-yard pass which gave Bethel a first and goal at the RU seven-yard line. One play later, Collazo found Dixon for the score to put Bethel up 12-8. Austin Abbott nailed the point after to give the Cats a 13-8 lead. Reinhardt moved down the field and had a fourth and goal at the Bethel one yard line, but Bethel's defense did it again with a gigantic stop. The Cats led 13-8 after three.
In the fourth quarter, Bethel's defense came up big, time after time. The Eagles moved into Bethel territory, but Amari Chapman came up with a huge fumble recovery giving Bethel possession. Later the Cats came up big again with a stop on downs and took over at the RU 45-yard line. Bethel, behind the running of Reinhardt transfer Terrance Roberts, moved deeper into RU territory which set up an Austin Abbott 37-yard field goal which gave Bethel a 16-8 advantage. Appropriately it was the Cats defense which had the last statement as Demetrice Gilbert picked off an Eagle pass to ice the game.
Coach Michael Jasper commented, "I cannot say enough about our program right now. These guys have a ton of grit and showed it today against one of the top teams in the nation. My hat is off to Coach Miller and the entire Reinhardt program. Their guys always play with a ton of heart and fight tooth and nail but so do we. We may not get a lot of respect, but our kids deserve it. My staff and everyone at Bethel University deserves it. If they will not give it, then we will continue to just take it."
(Point)
The Hawks fell 14-10 in their home opener to the Eagles of Faulkner. The Skyhawks out-converted the Eagles 21 to 11 on first down attempts. Point also had more first down completions on pass attempts than Faulkner (15 to 6) along with having more rushing four rushing first down conversions while Faulkner had two. The Skyhawks proved to be the more efficient team on third-down conversions (8 for 17) compared to Faulkner (4 for 16). Both teams failed to convert on fourth down attempts.
Point had 335 total yards on offence and the Eagles had 164. The Skyhawks out dueled Faulkner on the passing game (250 to 115) but the Eagles would have more return yards (120 to 35). The Skyhawks outrushed Faulkner 85 to 49.
Head Coaches:
Michael Jasper is in his fourth year as the Head Coach of the Wildcats in 2022-23.
Before becoming the head coach Jasper served as the Assistant Head Coach and worked with the defensive line. Prior to that he held the titles of Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator and oversaw the strength and conditioning program.
In 2021, the Wildcats were 7-4 overall, 4-3 in the Mid-South Conference and 2-1 against opponents ranked in the top eight in the country. Coach Jasper's career record is 17-14 overall and 9-12 in conference play.
Before joining the Bethel staff, Jasper served as Offensive and Defensive Line Assistant at Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo, N.Y.
Mike spent three years in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers.
Coach Jasper played for the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2005 and was a starter on their 2006 Ohio Valley Conference championship team. After redshirting at Middle Tennessee State University, Coach Jasper joined the Bethel University Wildcats and was as an offensive and defensive lineman from 2008-2010. He was the first-ever Wildcat drafted to the NFL in 2011 with his selection by the Buffalo Bills.
He graduated from Bethel University with a bachelor's degree in university studies. He and his wife Allison along with their children Davis Reid, Millie Claire and Samuel David reside in McKenzie. Their rescue dog is named Caine.
Jasper is the 12th head coach in Bethel football history.
Trevor Zeiders, who has served as the Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator for the Point University football team for the past two seasons, was named the program's head coach during the off season.
Zeiders is the fifth head coach in the program's history.
Did You Know?
The 2022 Football Media Guide is available soon on the Bethel Athletic page. Keep up with the Cats this season with the on-line version at https://en.calameo.com/bethel-university/read/003316375f35c839aee6f
Find out all you need to know about this year's team and their opponents. Bio's Records, Stats, and current rankings are all available. Get all the information about YOUR Wildcats!!!!!!
Premium Parking Now Available for Football Fans. Bethel Director of Athletics Brad Chappell announced earlier football fans will now have the opportunity to enjoy premium parking at Bethel's home football games. The Wildcats have six home games this season. The season and home opener is slated for August 27 at 1 p.m. as the Cats host Arkansas Baptist. Fans can purchase a Gold Lot Season parking pass for 90.00. The Gold Lot is located directly behind the stadium entrance. Fans can also park in the Purple Lot for 50.00. The Purple Lot will be located directly north of the stadium. If spaces are still available after season passes are sold, they will be sold on a game-to game basis at 10.00 each. Both lots will be staffed by Bethel security and lot attendants. There remains free parking on campus in front of Crisp Arena and areas north of the stadium and the reserved parking areas. To secure your parking pass in advance, visit the ticket and parking links on the main athletic page. https://bethelathletics.com/tickets
Seventeen different states are represented on the Bethel squad.
Homecoming will be celebrated this year on October 22. The week includes the 2022 Hall-of-Fame Induction ceremonies. The Cats will host Thomas More University. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m.
Game Officials:
Referee – Steve Schmocker
Umpire – Jordan Blair
Head Line Judge – Nathan Francis
Line Judge – Terry Turner
Side Judge – Scott Jaggers
Field Judge – DeVante Ray
Back Judge – Brandon Davis
2022 Bethel University Football Staff
Head Coach - Michael Jasper (4th season)
Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator - Chris Springer (5th season)
Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator - Jay Bright (2nd season)
Offensive Assistant - Montgomery Allison (1st season)
Defensive Line Coach - Troy Brewer (1st season)
Director of Sports Performance - Brighton Hill (1st season)
Senior Defensive Analyst - Terrell Jackson (2nd season)
Defensive Run Game Coordinator/Linebackers Coach - Dustin Kincaid (3rd season)
Assistant Offensive Line Coach - Austin Kisrow (1st season)
Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach - Cody McCallister (4th season)
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach - Greg Meyer (1st season)
Half Backs/Tight Ends Coach - Bret Peterson (2nd season)
Assistant Special Teams/Assistant Wide Receivers Coach - Hunter Scott (1st season)
Running Backs Coach - Jake Sisk (1st season)
Assistant Defensive Line Coach - Jamel Warren (1st season)
Official Game Day Program: https://bethelathletics.com/sports/fball/2022-23/2022_Football_Game_Notes_vs._Point.pdf
Next Week:
The Wildcats are off next week. They return to action on the 24th hosting UPIKE at 1 p.m.
Golden Boosters and sponsors for Bethel Athletics this year are:
West Tennessee Public Utilities
Smith & Smith Optometry
Copies Unlimited
Steven Morton & State Farm Insurance
Trevathan's Electrical Services
Maddox Insurance LLC
Block City Pizza
Carroll Bank & Trust