CIAA Football Preview - Week 2

CIAA Preview Week Two

August 30, 2006

The CIAA Season is now in full tilt as all eleven schools hit the gridiron this weekend. Only four teams played last Saturday. Bowie State, the favorite to win the conference, begins its quest to win the Championship that slipped through its fingers last November. St. Augustine’s looks to top its historic 2005 season with a number-one ranking...in the NCAA Playoffs. Johnson C. Smith also looks to start a winning streak after ending their 24-game slide against Edward Waters. Shaw opens at North Carolina Central featuring the last two championship quarterbacks, Adrian Warren and Jermonty Kimbrough.

GAME OF THE WEEK: VIRGINIA STATE AT NORFOLK STATE: The Trojans have dominated their MEAC in-state rivals, winning the last three contests. In fact, VSU handled Norfolk State 34-6 last season. The Trojans have dominated the entire series as well, with a 27-16-1 record against the Spartans. Last year, VSU was one of defensive stalwarts of the CIAA. However, graduation hit the Trojans hard with Yuri Norrell and Pierre Lee moving on. Offensively, VSU returns with their entire offensive line intact. RB Nick Fleming, one of the finest backs in the league, will follow the Trojans’ massive offensive line. NSU Coach Pete Adrian has done a fine job rebuilding the Spartan program and a win against rival Virginia State should set the tone for a good 2006 season. (6:00 p.m. at Norfolk, Virginia). Press Box: (757) 823-2628

Players to watch:
Virginia State: Darius Robinson, DL; Jermaine Lafate, OL; Nick Fleming, RB).
Norfolk State: Casey Hansen, QB; Quante Speight, RB; Chaz Truesdale, RB.


SHAW AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL: Indeed, Warren and Kimbrough signify "The Year of the Quarterback" in the CIAA. The Eagles looked impressive in their 20-0 win over Albany State in the CIAA-SIAC Challenge. QB Stafford Brown played well in Warren’s stead, passing for 206 yards to big targets Julius McClellan and Charles Futrell. RB Greg Pruitt looked in midseason form rushing for 87 yards. Defensively, the Eagles looked strong holding Albany State to a mere 148 yards. Shaw is an intriguing story for 2006. New Head Coach Daryl Asberry returns significant offensive firepower. QB Jermonty Kimbrough has won a CIAA Title and his top target Damon Harrison was the Championship Game MVP in ‘04. Kimbrough is the conference active career leader in passing with 5,649 yards. RB Reginald Price will lead the way on the ground. (4:00 p.m. at Durham).

Players to watch:
Shaw: Jermonty Kimbrough, QB; Damon Harrison, WR; Reginald Price, RB.
North Carolina Central: Julius McClellan, WR; Charles Futrell, WR; Greg Pruitt, RB.


FAYETTEVILLE STATE AT VIRGINIA UNION: The Broncos suffered a significant blow to their egos last weekend against Wingate. With QB Jonathan Autry returning, FSU expected to have an offensive juggernaut on its hands. However, FSU put up a goose egg against Wingate. Defensively, the Broncos did not play badly. Donte Wise and Jermaine Harper were both named CIAA Defensive Back and Defensive Lineman of the Week. However, they will need action from their offensive teammates. VUU should improve with RB Elihu Smith and QB Lamar Little returning. FSU blitzed the Panthers 53-26 last season and will look to get its first win of 2006. (6:30 p.m. at Richmond).

Players to watch:
Fayetteville State: Jonathan Autry, QB; Donte Wise, DB; Jermaine Harper, DL.
Virginia Union: RB Elihu Smith; Lamar Little, QB; Phillip Taylor, WR.


LANE AT ST. AUGUSTINE’S: St. Augustine’s was the surprise of Division II in ‘05 becoming the 1st team in CIAA History to be ranked #1 in the Southeast Region. The Falcons were cruising at 8-0 before stumbling down the stretch. The Falcons lost their two offensive stalwarts, QB Darrell Nesbitt and WR Eddie Montgomery. The duo single-handedly led an explosive Falcon Offense in 2005. This year, the Falcons return their entire defense with the exception of Defensive Player of the Year Tyrone Pettaway. Lane finished winless in 2005, however, receivers Jacoby Jones and Edward Williams will give the Dragons a chance. (1:30 p.m. at Raleigh)

Players to watch:
Lane: Jacoby Jones, WR; Edward Williams, WR; Marcus Moore, TE.
St. Augustine’s: Kevin Jones, LB; Kente Blount, LB; Alex Hall, DE.


ELIZABETH CITY STATE AT LIVINGSTONE: Livingstone, only 1-9 in ‘05, played well at Lenoir-Rhyne. Usually, night games in Hickory spell doom for opponents, but the Blue Bears had a chance to win before falling 17-14. QB Jason Mitchell will lead the Blue Bears’ offensive attack. WR Tyrone Baisden is Mitchell’s top target. ECSU is lead by NFL prospect Maceo Thomas and 14 other returning starters. ECSU could be the surprise of the Eastern Division. (6:00 p.m. at Salisbury, NC).

Players to watch:
Elizabeth City State: Maceo Thomas, DL; Rayburn Morris, QB; Greg Moore, DL. Livingstone: Jason Mitchell, QB; Tyrone Baisden, WR; Ryan Goings, DB.


WEST VIRGINIA STATE AT BOWIE STATE: Bowie State, the 2006 favorite, looks to top their impressive 2005 campaign with a CIAA Championship. The Bulldogs fell in the final seconds in the Championship Game and in the Pioneer Bowl. Talent returns for the Bulldogs including RB Issac Redmond and QB Lamar Manigo. Redmond, arguably the nation’s finest tailback, rushed for 1512 yards in ‘05 and will look to earn All-America honors this season. Bowie State’s Defense also returns DB Terrence Stafford, one of the best in the league. (1:00 p.m. at Bowie)

Players to watch:
Bowie State: Issac Redmond, RB; Lamar Manigo, QB; Terrence Stafford, DB.


JOHNSON C. SMITH AT GLENVILLE STATE: Now that the streak is over, the Golden Bulls can concentrate on winning football games and becoming a conference contender again. WR Marquis Belton led an offensive attack that included RB Kevin Allen rushing the ball and passers Carl Richardson and Donja Goodson. Glenville State handled the Golden Bulls 33-9 last season and will be a challenge for JCSU. (12:00 p.m. at Glenville, WV).

Press Box: (304) 462-7361 ext 7752 or 7759
Players to watch: Marquis Belton, WR; Donja Goodson, QB; Donald Haynesworth, DL.