New Conference, Big Plans as Edward Waters Kicks Off 2017 Football Season at Bethel

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.

Edward Waters quarterback Tyler Mahla leads the Tigers against Bethel (Tn.)

Things are getting serious for the Edward Waters College football program these days.

They are kicking off a 2017 season Saturday against Bethel (Tn), but the Tigers are also joining a new conference, the Mid-South Conference, the largest in the NAIA with 20 members.

They have a new, permanent athletic director of Stanley Cromartie.  Jacksonville, Fla., Mayor Lenny Curry has in his proposed budget $8.4 million that would partially go towards building a new football facility for Edward Waters, which will be playing home games at a local high school stadium this year.  The Tigers have never had their own field.

While the Tigers aren't expected to do well in their first season of  Mid South Conference play, - they were picked finish last in the Mid South's Sun Division after finishing 3-6 last season - the Tigers finished 2016 by winning three of their last four games.

"I am excited about the season," said head coach Alvin Wyatt on during EWC's Media Day on Aug. 16, according to WJXT in Jacksonville.  "We are going to a tough conference. We know this, we haven't had the opportunity to go against some of the teams there that we are playing on our schedule, but we are familiar with the ones we played last season."

Bethel, their first new conference foe, jumped out to a 4-0 record in 2016 but ended the season losing their last four games. They'll be revamping a multiple offense that lost five starters - including their quarterback, leading receiver and top rusher - from last year's team.  They return eight starters on defense including leading tackler Trey'Von Brown (82 tackles, 10 sacks in 2016).  In fact, their top ten tacklers from last season return.

EWC senior quarterback Tyler Mahla was the Tigers leading rusher and split time with two other quarterbacks in throwing for 396 yards and two touchdowns. But Wyatt is confident in Mahla.

"That is our trigger man," Wyatt said. "That's our go-to guy.  He has done a great job for us in the times he was not injured. I feel good about what he can bring to the table offensively.  He's got an offensive line that has been here for awhile, so things are in place for him."

Kickoff in McKenzie, Tenn. is 2:30 p.m. EST.