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MURFREESBORO – The Chowan University football team is preparing for the 2025 campaign under the leadership of third year head coach Paul Johnson as Conference Carolinas reinstates football this season.

For the first time since the 1974-75 academic year, football will be played in Conference Carolinas in the fall of 2025. The conference slate opens in week two on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Conference Carolinas will have seven teams in 2025 including Barton College, Chowan University, Erskine College, Ferrum College, North Greenville University, Shorter University, and UNC Pembroke.

The Hawks finished last season with a 3-7 overall record and a 2-5 mark in the perennial powerhouse Gulf South Conference.

As the Hawks transition into Conference Carolinas, Chowan will be led by key returning players, including wide receiver Jakobe Lane, a First Team All-Conference honoree last year, and quarterback Maurice Smith, both of whom are poised to play a crucial role in the Hawks’ success in the 2025 season.

The Hawks have 10 regular season games scheduled for the 2025 season, with four being on the road and six being hosted at Garrison Stadium.

“Competing in Conference Carolinas and having those crossover games with the Gulf South Conference will definitely provide some strong competition and valuable experience for the team,” stated coach Johnson.

Chowan football opens their 2025 season with three home games, beginning with an Aug. 30 matchup against Elizabeth City State, a team that finished last year with a 3-7 record. The Hawks will then host West Alabama, who finished 9-2 last season, on Sept. 6. After a week off, Chowan will face Valdosta State on Sept. 20, the reigning Gulf South Conference champions who finished the season 13-1 and made an appearance in the NCAA D2 football championship.

The Hawks will hit the road for their first away game against Shorter on Sept. 27, a team that finished last season with a 3-7 record. The Shorter match-up marks the team’s first game in Conference Carolinas play.

North Greenville travels to Murfreesboro on Oct. 4. This game will also serve as the Hawks’ Homecoming. Chowan will follow that with a visit to West Florida (7-3 last season) on Oct. 11.

The Hawks will then face Barton College in Wilson on Oct. 18. The Bulldogs are coming off their final season in the Southern Athletic Conference, finishing 3-8.

The following week (Oct. 25), the Hawks will be back home, hosting UNC Pembroke.

The Hawks will travel to play Erskine on Nov. 1, a team that finished 2024 with a 1-8 record. Chowan will then wrap up their regular season at home on Nov. 8, hosting Ferrum College for Senior Day and the Hall of Fame celebration. Ferrum and Chowan will revamp their friendly rivalry from the junior college and NCAA D3 days.