JACKSON, Miss. – The annual Millsaps vs. Belhaven football game, known as the Riverside Rumble, finds itself back at Harper Davis Field home of the Millsaps Majors for the second consecutive year due to construction delays to the Belhaven Field.
Thursday, Sept. 1, the Majors will host the Blazers at 7 p.m. This game marks the seventh time the two teams have met with the record split at 3-3. Millsaps took the last three meetings (2008, 2009, and 2015) and Belhaven took the early three competitions (2003, 2004, and 2005).
Last years competition marked the renewal of the Riverside Rumble after a 6-year hiatus. Millsaps defeated Belhaven in their NCAA debut 52-23. Despite a close score at halftime (18-16 Millsaps), the Majors were able to capitalize on turnovers and outscore the Blazers 34-7 in the second half.
This 2016 season represents a new opportunity for the Majors. Entering their seventh season under the direction of Head Coach
Aaron Pelch, Millsaps is looking to "fan the flame" and continue the winning streak that began at the end of the 2015 season with big wins over conference rivals Sewanee (42-12) and Rhodes College (31-21). Pelch and the Majors hope that this momentum will allow them to improve on last year's 3-7 record.
The Majors are returning several key players that will help them accomplish their goal.
Chance Clowers (10) and
Ty Proctor (7) will be back on the field as quarterbacks. During the 2015 campaign, Clowers and Proctor together threw for over 2,500 yards to lead the Major offensive effort.
Taz Watson (23) at running back is expected to lead a strong backfield contingent, which includes
Andrew Warren (22) and
Isaiah Talton (28). Millsaps brings back a band of senior receivers;
Rashad Sims (1),
Beau Wells (3),
Tanner Menist (81), and Zach Borne (80), who together accounted for 117 receptions last year.
Austin Harris (65) and
Bryan Pittman (76) anchor the offensive line while
Alex Foust (11) and
Jacob Kendall (50) are expected to lead the defensive line.
Hector Sandoval (40) will return as linebacker. He recorded more than 100 tackles last season and will be expected to lead the defense. Other key defensive players are
Benton Brown (26) and Malcom Ben (23) in the cornerback spots and
Jared Bullock (24) and
Chandler Loy (27) as safeties.
Riverside Rumble will kick off at 7 p.m. at Harper Davis Field located on the campus of Millsaps College. Pregame activities will begin at 6 p.m.
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