Football

Vikings and Tigers Set to Battle in Third Round of Football Playoffs

CANTON, Ga. - The Berry Vikings and Trinity Tigers are set to faceoff on Saturday at noon ET in Georgia.

Looking to secure a spot in the NCAA Quarterfinals, both Southern Athletic Association teams are eager to make history.

Serving as a rematch game from October 11th on the same field at Valhalla in Mount Berry, Georgia, the Vikings and Tigers are prepared to battle in the planned chilly and wet conditions.

In the last matchup, Berry took the 29-6 win that held Trinity to no touchdowns, only two field goals. However, with it being Berry's homecoming game in front of almost 4,000 fans in 76 degree weather the third round of the NCAA championship will be in completely different conditions. 

Having not played each other in almost two months, both teams have molded and grown as competitiors. For Berry, the team currently averages just over 38 points a game while the defense holds opponents to 12. Individually in the QB spot Christian Lewis leads the team in passing while Andrew Hunter is second in rushing but first in touchdowns with 17 on the season. Berry holds the NCAA Division III blocked punt leader in Cade Petty backed by a force of a defense.

Trinity comes into the game after a 34-24 victory over No. 12 Hardin-Simmons. TJ Scannell had a huge interception returned for 70-yards to seal the game while QB Franklin Hondo had his best game yet with 350 yards and three touchdowns. The Tigers only loss has been against Berry this year and they are hungry for revenge in the biggest game of the season. Averaging almost 37.5 points a game, the offense is use to success. Xadrian Huerta leads in rushing with 53 yards a game while Franklin's favorite target Alejandro Tavarez is a force with his 53 receptions for 13 touchdowns.

The winner of the game will take on either John Carroll or Mount Union on December 13th.
For more information on all things SAA, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the SAA's home on the internet at www.saa-sports.com. Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Southern Athletic Association news by following @SAA_Sports on Twitter (X) and @SAA_Sports on Instagram.