Hampton, VA – It all comes down to this…a one game playoff for the Southern Division Title. The Battle of Raleigh between neighbors St. Augustine’s and Shaw will yield the Southern Division Champ and an invite to the CIAA Championship. In the North, it’s almost as simple…if Virginia State wins, they are in the Championship Game. However, if VSU loses and Bowie State wins…it’s the Bulldogs as Northern Division Champs! CIAA Fans should enjoy an early beginning to Championship Week!
GAME OF THE WEEK: SHAW AT ST. AUGUSTINE’S: The Bears took care of business against Winston-Salem State to remain undefeated in the conference. Trailing 27-17 in the fourth quarter, Shaw rallied against WSSU, outscoring the Rams 14-0, for a 31-27 win. This weekend, their hometown rivalry game has become a Championship Game. If they knock off the Falcons, Shaw returns for its third championship game in four years. St. Augustine’s is riding a seven game win streak and looks to finish the conference season undefeated. RB Walter Sanders has been spectacular this season with 1270 yards rushing. He is the bellcow of the Falcon Offense. Shaw’s offense is a bit more multifaceted with QB Kevin Atkins (1693 yards passing, 19TDs) and RB Raymond Williams (827 yards rushing, 9TDs) leading the way. This has been billed as the “Battle of Raleigh.” It should be a barn burner and one to remember. (4:00 p.m. at Raleigh).
Players to watch: (QB Kevin Atkins; RB Raymond Williams; WR Julius Gregory).
(St. Aug: RB Walter Sanders; LB Steven Stanback; DL Anthony Williams).
VIRGINIA STATE AT ST. PAUL’S: Virginia State cleared a precipitous hurdle last week by knocking off rival Virginia Union. The Trojans have proven that they mean business the last two weeks knocking off Lincoln and VUU by a combined 77-7. However, one more hurdle remains between them and the CIAA Championship Game…a trip to St. Paul’s College. Last year, VSU was playing well and got knocked off by the Tigers, 18-0. The Trojans will surely be looking for revenge. However, the nectar of revenge will not be as sweet as the feeling of winning a CIAA Championship. Since the Championship Game was revived in 2000, VSU has never played in the game. The Trojans may be playing as well as anyone in the league, and two more wins may boost their chance at the NCAA Playoffs. However, first things first…VSU must win and finally knock off that 1,000 pound gorilla that has been sitting on its shoulder for the past decade. (1:00 p.m. at Lawrenceville, VA).
Players to watch: (VSU: RB Antwain Lyde; QB Jarred Battle; WR Brian Berry).
(St. Paul’s: QB Steffen Miller-Cohen; WR Jason Davis; RB Albert Tinsley).
BOWIE STATE AT CHOWAN: Bowie State still has slim hopes of winning the North. They will need help. First, they must take care of business against the Hawks. Second, they must hope St. Paul’s knocks off VSU. That’s a lot of “ifs” but more surprising things have happened in CIAA Football. Chowan will look to end their 2010 campaign on a positive note. (12:00 p.m. at Murfreesboro, NC).
Players to watch: (BSU: QB Clifton Budd; LB Kyle Jackson; DB Stephen Grant-Jones).
(Chowan: RB Elliott Smalls; WR Robert Holland; WR Eddie Coard).
ELIZABETH CITY STATE AT LINCOLN: The Vikings will close out a somewhat disappointing campaign against Lincoln. ECSU was predicted by many to win the Northern Division and earn its first CIAA Football Championship. Last week’s 55-7 handling of Chowan showed the explosiveness of the Viking Offense. However, mistakes haunted the Vikings in losses at Bowie State and Virginia State. This will be the final contest for outstanding seniors, DL Malcolm Jenkins (11 sacks) and WR Dexter Manley (6 TDs). Lincoln looks to upset ECSU and win its first CIAA contest of the season. (1:00 p.m. at Lincoln University, PA).
Players to watch: (ECSU: RB Daronte McNeill; QB Creven Powell; DL Malcolm Jenkins).
(Lincoln: WR Matthew Colston; DB Jairon Bailey; LB Brucelee Sterile).
LIVINGSTONE AT JOHNSON C. SMITH: The first game in black college football history was played between Johnson C. Smith (then Biddle) and Livingstone in 1892. The Commemorative Classic will celebrate this 118 year rivalry between the two schools located off I-85. JCSU and LC have endured tough seasons but both can end the season on a positive note…with a win against their long time rival. (1:00 p.m. at Charlotte).
Players to watch: (Livingstone: WR Omar McFadden; QB Curtis Edens; LB Bryan Aycoth).
(JCSU: QB Ryan Carter; WR Jeremy Franklin; DB Darian Talley).
VIRGINIA UNION AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE: The Broncos look to close out 2010 on a winning streak. They have won their last two contests convincingly. A win this week will give the Broncos a .500 record. Virginia Union will look to begin building on 2011 with a win against FSU. (2:00 p.m. at Fayetteville, NC).
Players to watch: (VUU: QB Aris McGlone-English; WR Joseph Jean-Pierre; RB Tarian Donaldson).
(FSU: RB Richard Medlin; QB Robert Benjamin; LB Jeremy Cunningham).
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