By Nicholas Kolsin
Year two of the Mark Hall era of UNC Pembroke football is upon us as the Braves look to build on last year’s impressive 7-3 campaign.
The Braves have high expectations coming into this year and it’s not just from people in and around the program. The Mountain East Conference coaches poll has UNCP ranked UNCP second behind the University of Charleston.
The Braves hope to leave their mark on the Mountain East Conference as they hope to win it for the first time before they leave for the Conference Carolinas before the 2025 season.
Colin Johnson returns for the Braves after an impressive 2023 season that earned him Second Team All-MEC honors. In 7 games as a starter, he threw for 1885 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 760 yards and 11 touchdowns with his legs.
Leading rusher Sincere Baines returns to the field for his sophomore season after his standout year last year which earned him MEC Offensive Freshman of the Year. As a Freshman, Baines rushed for 797 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 15 passes for 207 yards.
Defensively, All-American and MEC Co-Conference Defensive player of the year Jamae Blank comes back for his second year with the Braves after his record-breaking 2023 season. In 2023, Blank broke the school record for sacks in a season with 12.5, tackles for loss with 21.5, and matched the record for forced fumbles in a season with three.
Some other key returners for the Braves are First Team All MEC Lineman Chris Russell, All MEC Honorable Mention Jacob Perry, and DE Malik Mackenzie who finished last season third on the team in tackles.
In addition to the returners, the Braves have brought in 80 new players through the transfer portal and recruiting from high school. When speaking to the MEC media during his preseason press conference, Mark Hall spoke about the challenges of bringing in that many new recruits.
“A lot of new faces, a lot of guys that we believe can play but haven’t played for us here at UNCP.” Coach Hall said “I think our talent is there, it’s just right now we have to make sure we’re a team, we got to put it together and put it together fast”
The Braves open the season at home on October 31 against Wingate at Grace P. Johnson Stadium.