A new era begins for Brevard College as Head Coach Bill Khayat’s inaugural campaign at the helm of the football program is highlighted by a ten game slate.
The Tornados football season kicks off Sept. 2 with a road contest at non-conference Pioneer League affiliated Davidson Wildcats. This will be the first meeting between the two colleges on the gridiron. For the fourth time in Brevard College school history, the first since 2011 against Presbyterian, the Khayat led squad will open up against an FCS opponent that finished the 2016 season with a 2-9 campaign, with 8 losses in a row.
Sept. 9, 2017 will mark the Tornados home opener as the blue and white welcomes the Emory & Henry College Wasps to Brevard Memorial Stadium for the second non-conference contest between the two Division III programs. Brevard will be looking to avenge a 28-14 loss last season in Emory, Va., as the blue and white complete a home and home series against E&M, which competes in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
USA South Conference play kicksoff the following week, Sept. 16 when NadoNation travels for their first meeting ever with the Pride of Greensboro College followed by a trip to LaGrange, Ga. to take on the LaGrange College Panthers, on September 23 and culminating with a home game against the Hawks of Huntingdon College. Greensboro finished 0-7 in conference play in 2016, while posting a 1-9 overall record with their lone win coming at home in week 3. Currently, the Tornados sit at 2-0 all-time against LaGrange, with their last meeting coming a decade ago. The 2017 Panthers feature a new head coach, as Matt Mumme departed for Nevada, while long-time LaGrange High School head man, Steve Pardue, takes over the helm, looking to improve on a 3-7 record last season. While Huntingdon takes to 2017 returning a solid nucleus of last seasons squad that closed out the 2016 season with a share of the USA South title, finishing 6-1 in league play and 9-2 overall.
October begins with an Oct. 7 homecoming showdown with NAIA affiliate Virginia University of Lynchburg Dragons. A relatively new program, VUL began football in 2011 and features their fourth head coach. After homecoming, the Tornados resume USA South play on the road against the Monarchs of Methodist Univeristy on Oct. 14, a program that finished 2016 at 2-4 in conference and 3-6 overall. Following Methodist, the Tornados welcome the Panthers of Ferrum College to Brevard, N.C. on Oct. 21. Ferrum finished 2016 at 4-3 in conference play, followed by a 6-4 overall record, including an opening win in the Crooked Road Classic against arch rival Emory & Henry. Brevard will close out the month of October with a trip to Rocky Mount, N.C. to take on the Battling Bishops of NC Wesleyan, a squad that finished 3rd in the USA South standings with a 4-2 league mark last season.
The Tornados close out the 2017 season at home Nov. 4 as they host the Cougars of Averett College for senior day. Averett finished the 2016 season at 5-5 overall, going 4-3 in USA South contests. Due to pre-existing game contracts, Brevard will not play the Maryville Fighting Scots, however the Tennessee native is featured on the 2018 Tornados schedule.
(Prepared by Brevard College.)