MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The countdown for the 2026 Chowan Football season is underway as Conference Carolinas released the preseason poll and players to watch on Tuesday morning before the commencement of the 2026 Conference Carolinas Football Media Day in Greenville, SC. 

Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll

With seven member institutions competing in the conference, Chowan was picked to finish tied for fifth, earning 15 points alongside Shorter.

The Trailblazers received five first place votes in the poll while UNC Pembroke received the final two first place votes to take the second spot in the poll. North Greenville earned 35 points while the Braves earned 32 points.

Barton was picked third with 25 points, followed by Ferrum in fourth with 19 points, as Esrkine rounded out the poll with six points.

The preseason poll was voted on by the league's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own programs.

 

	School	Points (1st Place)
1	North Greenville	35 (5)
2	UNC Pembroke	32 (2)
3	Barton	25
4	Ferrum	19
5	Chowan	15
5	Shorter	15
7	Erskine	6

 

Conference Carolinas Football Players to Watch

Conference Carolinas also announced its 2026 Players to Watch list, recognizing standout student-athletes from each program who are expected to make a significant impact during the upcoming season. Chowan was represented by three seniors in tight end Dezmond Randolph, linebacker Cameron Richardson, and defensive end Malachi Howell.

A native of Mableton, Georgia, Randolph enters his third season with the Hawks after earning Second Team All-Conference honors in 2025. Appearing in all 11 games last season, the tight end emerged as a reliable target in the Chowan offense, hauling in 24 receptions for 314 yards while consistently helping the Hawks move the chains and create scoring opportunities.

Richardson, a native of Wake Forest, North Carolina, returns for his fourth season with the Hawks as a leader at linebacker. After his 2025 campaign was cut short by injury, Richardson is poised to make his return as one of the veteran anchors of Chowan's defense, bringing experience, physicality, and a competitive edge.

Entering his third season with the Hawks, Howell has established himself as one of the leaders of Chowan's defensive front. The Monroe, North Carolina, native earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2025 after recording 36 tackles, three quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble. A relentless competitor, Howell's leadership and consistent effort continue to set the standard for the Hawks' defensive front.

Chowan

• Dezmond Randolph, Sr., TE, Mableton, Georgia (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)

• Cameron Richardson, Sr., LB, Wake Forest, North Carolina

• Malachi Howell, Senior, DE, Monroe, North Carolina (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)

Barton

• Jaiden Lee, Jr., WR, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Zayvion Brady, Sr., LB, Whiteville, N.C.

• Zyhir Williams, So., DB, Newark, N.J.

Erskine

• Gary Maddox III, Jr., LB, Commerce, Georgia (2025 All-Conference Carolinas)

• Hart Cushman, Sr., OL, Beaufort, South Carolina

• Ryan Killmer, So., QB, St. Augustine, Florida

Ferrum

• Eli Foutz, Jr., QB, Rocky Mount, Virginia

• Marquise Varner James, Jr., DL, Greensboro, North Carolina

• Omarza Gray, So., WR, Roanoke, Virginia (2025 Conference Carolinas Offensive Freshman of the Year, 2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)

UNC Pembroke

• Justin Foreman, Sr., DB, Greenville, North Carolina (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)

• Laden Ford, Jr., DL, Charlotte, North Carolina (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)

• Que Kennedy, Jr., WR, Ocala, Florida (2025 All-Conference Carolinas first team)

North Greenville

• Ethan Lett, Sr., OL, Pensacola, Florida (2025 All-Conference Carolinas first team)

• RJ Glasgow, Sr., DB, York, South Carolina

• Sam Washam, Sr., WR, Indian Trail, North Carolina

Shorter

• Mikey Matos, Jr., DE, Jacksonville, Florida

• Sky Niblett, Jr., TE, Gainesville, Georgia

• Andrew Waldrep, Sr., LB, Blue Ridge, Georgia
   

Chowan University Themed Games 2026 

This year's slate for the Hawks will be an exciting one, with six road games and four home games. The home schedule will kick off on September 12th, 2026 at Garrison Stadium with a non-conference match up against Virginia Union University. Kick off will be at 1:00pm. The September 12th game will serve as the Military and First Responders Game along with the Brave Hawks Club Day. All retired and active military and first responders will receive free admission to the game. The athletic department will recognize those military and first responders in attendance at halftime of the game. There will be a planned special ball presentation along with in-game activities throughout all four quarters of gridiron action.  The Brave Hawks Club is sponsoring a tailgate party for current club members and anyone interested in joining. Tailgate time is 12:00pm at Garrison Stadium. Current members are encouraged to bring a friend to join on this day. Activities will be planned throughout the game for all fans in attendance. For more information on Brave Hawks Club Day, email Elizabeth Heller at elheller@chowan.edu or athletics at gocuhawks@chowan.edu.  

On September 19th, 2026 the Hawks will host Barton College in a 6:00pm showdown at Garrison Stadium. This game will serve as the ECU Health and Relay for Life Game. ECU HEALTH Roanoke-Chowan Hospital generously supports host community members, youth and civic groups to Garrison Stadium for a fun-filled event. ECU HEALTH will promote local and free health screenings as well as have plenty of fan giveaways and resources for local health and wellness. Civic groups, community groups, church groups, youth organizations, and local business owners are invited to attend the game for free. Contact Meredith Long to reserve your group entry at longm@chowan.edu.  In addition to it serving as the ECU Health game, the Hawks will recognize members of the Hertford-Gates Relay for Life Board for their contributions to the annual event, which is held on Chowan's campus each year. 

The Hawks will host its annual Homecoming game against Erskine College on October 17th, 2026 at 1:00pm in Garrison Stadium. This game will also serve as the academic champions game in which the athletic department will recognize all teams and student-athletes with a 3.0 or higher grade point average. At halftime of the game the University will recognize the 2026 Distinguished Alumni class followed by the 2026 CU Homecoming Court and crowning of the 2026 CU Homecoming King and Queen. Tailgating will be set up for game day in the Hawks Athletic Center for large tailgates and also  on the "grassy knoll" for current Chowan faculty, staff, and campus groups. Reservations for tailgating should be made by emailing Meredith Long, Deputy Athletic Director, at longm@chowan.edu. Be sure to get your reservations early. Stay tuned for a schedule of events for the entire week of CU Homecoming. 

The Hawks will be rounding out the home game season with the annual Hall of Fame game on November 7th, 2026. The Hawks will host Shorter University in a 1:00pm match up which will also serve as senior day for the football team. The CU Athletics Department will recognize the 2026 CU Athletics "Jim Garrison" Hall of Fame class at halftime of the game. Seniors will be recognized prior to kick off for their contributions to the Hawks football program.