Dustin Midgett spreads his faith abroad in the offseason and instills the faith of his teammates and coaches every day. Photo provided by Dustin Midgett

The most prolific quarterback in the USA South this season spent part of his past two summers planning churches in Ecuador. 

Dustin Midgett is thriving in his final season at N.C. Wesleyan, and is playing with a confidence driven by his faith.

Each of the past two summers, he made weeklong trips to Ecuador with members of First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. Spreading the gospel in the rural mountains of the South American country paved the way for Midgett to become more of a vocal leader in the N.C. Wesleyan community. He spoke to young men in Ecuador about their faith. Then, he returned to campus to lead the Battling Bishops football team.

“I was not the most outgoing guy coming into college,” said Midgett. “I had to step up as a leader on the football field and as a Christian on North Carolina Wesleyan’s campus. A lot of young guys need faith and guidance. It’s kind of the same thing on the football field. I have to be able to pour into my teammates what I know.”

Some quarterbacks are natural vocal leaders. Despite spending most of his playing years at the position, Midgett admits that he was a bit shy and reserved when he arrived on campus. He has gradually become more comfortable accepting, and thriving, in his leadership role. That has also been informed by his off-the-field service. 

“I believe that all of his efforts outside of football, whether it’s his academics or his faith, have led him to be a great leader of our team,” said head coach Jeff Filkovski. “He’s always had the ability. We just had to get him to the point where he was confident in what he was doing.”

After relying heavily on running back Jacques Alston each of the past two seasons, the Battling Bishops knew they would need to count on Midgett more this year. The senior was eager to accept the heavier load and has thrived. He has passed for a conference-best 2,517 yards and 24 touchdowns.

“I knew my senior year being the quarterback that I had to do my best to be a good leader,” said Midgett. “We got off to a slow start, but it’s been a joy to be in a pass-first offense for the first time. It’s really fun.”

It’s especially fun to be able to throw to the conference’s leading receiver. Malik Adams has hauled in 64 receptions for 1,147 yards and 16 touchdowns. The tandem have grown both on and off the field. Along with tight end/punter/backup quarterback Robbie Lanier, Midgett and Adams have formed close bonds.

“We are like brothers off the field,” said Midgett. “It’s more than just football. I’ve got their back and they’ve got mine.”

The friendship has also helped on the field, in both preparation and on game day.

“We watch film together. He helps me see things and I help him see things. We adapt off of that,” said Adams. “Dustin always tells me when it’s one-on-one to get ready and look for the ball. I tell our coaches every week, ‘throw the ball.’ When in doubt, throw it up.”

Adams, a junior from Selma, N.C., and Midgett, a senior from coastal Currituck, first bonded through football. Their chemistry continues to grow and the results this season are a direct result.

“They come from different walks of life, but their respect for each other has grown greatly,” said Filkovski. “That has allowed them both to grow on the field. Their relationship has grown because they’re both great players and they’re both great people. It’s something special.”

Midgett provides a calm leadership that keeps his teammates focused through the ebbs and flows of a game and a season. That resilience is rooted in his faith. Adams also provides leadership, but in different ways. His leadership, like his play, is explosive.

“Malik expects greatness out of all of our guys,” said Filkovski. “He’s confident, but not cocky. He’s a dynamic, special player. He’s shining this year as our home run hitter.”

While they have connected for 16 scores this year, it’s not a boom-or-bust relationship between quarterback and receiver. The trust and friendship is firm.

“He trusts me to make plays,” said Adams. “I try to impress him and the rest of my coaches and teammates every week.”

“It’s not one of those relationships that’s only good when we’re throwing touchdowns,” said Midgett. “Our chemistry on the field has trickled into off the field. It’s been really neat to see our relationship grow.”

Gaining friends and followers has become commonplace for Midgett. He has grown into a natural leader who is looked up to by both his peers and mentors around campus.

“Dustin does a great job even with guys who are not on our team,” said Filkovski. “That’s just who Dustin is.”

The senior quarterback and head coach have developed a relationship that stretches well beyond football. Midgett shares advice from scripture with Filkovski, who considers his offensive leader a friend.

“Dustin is a special guy. He’s a great individual,” said Filkovski. “He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve coached, as far as people go.”

Midgett is going out on top, leading the Battling Bishops to three straight wins heading into their season finale. Over those three wins, he has averaged 378.67 yards per game and thrown for 11 touchdowns. Adams has caught nine of those scores, averaging nine receptions and 178 yards per game the past three weeks. The streak has coincided with the emergence of freshman running back Adrian Minondo, who has burst on the scene to rush for 619 yards and ten touchdowns in just three games.

With just one game left in his career, Midgett is cherishing each moment. Even during quiet periods of practices, he has been leaving his helmet on as much as possible these past few weeks. He has made an impact at N.C. Wesleyan and far beyond.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that the Lord brought me here for a reason,” he said. “Being here has helped me grow so much spiritually. Football is a gift. I don’t want to waste it or do it for myself. I give all the glory to God.”

Merry Clinchmas, everyone

All three teams with the opportunity to seal a playoff berth took care of business on Saturday. All three also enjoyed clinching a conference championship in front of their home crowd. 

Johns Hopkins clinched its record-tying seventh straight Centennial Conference title and fifth straight playoff appearance. The Blue Jays won their 27th straight Centennial tilt, defeating Franklin and Marshall 45-24 behind another stellar performance from quarterback Jonathan Germano. The junior leads the conference with 2,215 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and a 71.8 percent completion rate. Germano passed for 304 yards and two scores and Stuart Walters rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns in the clinching victory.

Washington and Lee’s offense did not miss a beat even with starting quarterback Charlie Nelson sidelined. Sophomore Matt Sgro took the reins and led the Generals to a 52-33 win over Catholic. W&L led 42-12 heading into the final quarter before pulling most of its starters. Connor Chess carried 18 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Sgro completed five of six passes for 108 yards and a score as the Generals offense averaged 7.1 yards per play. Nelson should be back next week as the Generals close the season at Shenandoah seeking the first 10-0 season in program history.

Huntingdon won its first conference championship and earned the second playoff berth in program history. In its fourth year as a conference member, third in the USA South, Huntingdon finally broke through for a conference crown. The Hawks left no doubt, stomping out to a 31-0 lead over Maryville en route to a 38-14 win. Luke Bailey completed 19 of 25 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns. The Hawks forced four turnovers while only giving the ball away once. Anthony White led the defensive effort with ten tackles and an interception.

The No. 8 Blue Jays and No. 17 Generals will try for perfect regular seasons in Week 11, while the Hawks will try to finish 9-1.

Still some drama

This is not the year to be competing for one of six Pool C bids. With national powers like Wesley, Mary Hardin-Baylor, and UW-Whitewater now in contention for those coveted spots, there will surely be some 9-1 teams sitting at home on Nov. 21. But, Guilford and Moravian are not giving up hope just yet.

The Quakers finally defeated Hampden-Sydney, but may be a year too late. A win over the Tigers in 2013 or 2014 would have given Guilford the ODAC title. Now, the Quakers have to defeat Emory and Henry this week and hope that a 9-1 finish, with only a three-point loss to undefeated W&L in a game in which quarterback Matt Pawlowski was knocked out in the second quarter, will be enough to sway the selection committee. Pawlowski passed for 391 yards and three scores and De’Eric Bell rushed for 117 yards and a score in the 33-21 win over Hampden-Sydney. It was Guilford’s first win over the Tigers since 1999.

The Greyhounds have just one blemish on their record, a 45-23 loss to Johns Hopkins in Week 3. Moravian defeated Juniata 42-10 behind a stifling defense and another big game for Chris Negron. The defense allowed just 260 yards and Noah Miller returned an interception for a score. Negron rushed for 226 yards on just 18 carries, including an 87-yard run. He had one rushing and one receiving touchdown. The Greyhounds close the regular season at 7-2 Muhlenberg. They are hoping to follow the Mules’ 2014 blueprint and earn a Pool C berth with a 9-1 record only tarnished by the league champ Blue Jays. Moravian’s offense will be tested by Muhlenberg’s stout defense. The Mules held Ursinus to just 143 total yards and 1-13 on third down, but needed a 41-yard field goal from Casey Fosbenner in the closing seconds for a 10-9 victory over the Bears.

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