The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WHEN Rondre Knowles-Tener and his Virginia-Wise Cavaliers football programme return to play on Saturday, it will mark the end of a 484-day hiatus away from official game play.

The Cavaliers open the season on March 13 when they host Carson-Newman University at 12pm at Carl Smith Stadium in Wise, Virginia.

Their amended four-game season will include matchups against Limestone College on March 20, Tusculum University on March 25 and Mars Hill University on April 2.

“I’m real excited, when we kick off Saturday it would have been 484 days since we last played a football game so I’m excited for that,” Cavs coach Dane Damron said in his pre-game press conference. “I think the kids are excited, I think we have had good preparation but I will feel a whole lot better after Friday when we COVID test.”

Damron added that Knowles- Tener and players on both sides of the line of scrimmage will be integral to the team’s development in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC).

“We weren’t prepared for what we saw on the offensive and defensive lines, I think it was more of a line of scrimmage game in this league so we are trying to get this answer. I don’t think we are there yet but I think we are closer than we were,” he said.

“We’re going to put on the best show that we can, but understanding we’re focusing on getting these kids reps, getting them on film, and getting them ready for 2021.”

The football teams have been divided into two divisions based on geography. The top team from each division will then play in a postseason championship game.

The fall sports seasons shifted to spring will not interfere with student-athlete’s eligibility, as the NCAA issued a blanket waiver allowing all 2020 fall sports student-athletes to retain their year of eligibility, regardless of the number of contests competed in during the 2020-21 season.

As a junior with the Cavs last season, Knowles-Tener became a force on the defensive line. The junior defensive tackle led the team with seven sacks.

In addition to his career high sack numbers this season, he also reached several other career high marks this season with 38 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss (54 yards), and a team leading four quarterback hurries.

He opened the season with one sack and four tackles, including one for a loss against Chowan University. In game two he had a season high two sacks and four tackles against Tennessee Tech.

He also recorded sacks against Carson-Newman, Tusculum, and Newberry (0.5). After struggling to earn playing time over the last two seasons with the James Madison Dukes, Knowles-Tener decided to leave the programme and transfer to the Cavs.