ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — The Wasps are back on the gridiron this fall, determined to prove that last year’s success was just the beginning.

In year two under head coach Quintin Hunter, Emory & Henry enters the 2025 season following a 9–2 campaign that turned heads across the South Atlantic Conference. The Wasps finished in a three-way tie for third overall in the league standings and secured second place in the Mountain Division.

The SAC coaches’ poll has picked E&H to finish fourth this year behind Lenoir-Rhyne, Wingate, and Carson-Newman.

“It’s the Emory and Henry football family,” Hunter said. “As far as being a blue-collar gold standard, I think it’s just the environment, just the different culture that’s here. That’s the exciting part about Emory & Henry football. Seeing these guys develop on and off the field, that’s the exciting part. So just excited to see what comes ahead for this football team.”

The SAC also named six Wasps to its Preseason Players to Watch list. On offense, senior wide receiver Cam Peoples, senior running back Jordan Jackson, and senior offensive lineman Deshaun Sharp were selected. On defense, senior defensive backs Shawn Collins and Jarrell Harrison join junior defensive lineman Ean Rhea on the list.

Emory & Henry will kick off the 2025 season on Saturday, August 31, in a neutral-site showdown against Glenville State University. The opener is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Herbert Hoover High School in Elkview, West Virginia.