CIAA Football Preview: Week Eight

CIAA Football Preview - Week 8

CIAA Football 2006: "The Year of the Quarterback"

The second half of the season is well underway and there appears to be two teams coming up the backstretch in the lead...Elizabeth City State and defending champ North Carolina Central. However, Johnson C. Smith and Virginia Union are right on their heels. Last weekend, NCCU exacted some revenge for its only CIAA loss of '05 by knocking off St. Augustine's. ECSU shut out its second consecutive opponent 27-0 (Virginia State), but must travel to defending Eastern Champ Bowie State on Saturday.


GAME OF THE WEEK: NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE:
The last two seasons this contest decided the Western Division Championship. In 2004, the Broncos won a 17-7 thriller and represented the West for the third year in a row in the Championship Game. Last season, NCCU survived FSU, knocking them off for the first time since 2001 and went ahead to win the West and the CIAA Championship Game.  This year, FSU has stumbled early virtually knocking themselves out of the Western Division race. However, any flickering hopes they have will depend on their fortunes against NCCU. NCCU can ill-afford a loss with JCSU on their heels. Also, a loss will hurt the Eagles' lofty standings in the Southeast Region.  The Eagles will complete the last leg of a four game road trip in which they have gone 3-0.

Players to watch: NCCU: Julius McClellan, WR; Greg Pruitt, RB; Craig Amos, DB.
FSU: Jay Autry, QB; Amir Holding, RB; Anthony Hicks, DB.


ELIZABETH CITY STATE AT BOWIE STATE: It only makes sense that the Eastern favorite must go to the defending champ to wrestle away their crown. Bowie State saved their season at Shaw last weekend with a 17-14 come-from-behind win. With ECSU off to a 3-0 conference start, a third CIAA loss will eliminate Bowie State from championship contention. ECSU has shutout its last two opponents (St. Aug and VSU) and outscored them a whopping 76-0. The Vikings are off to their best start in years at 5-1 but must continue to win to set the pace in the East. QB Curtis Rich has thrown 14 TDs this season.

Players to watch: Bowie State: Nathaniel Queen, RB; Larry Dixon, WR; Terrance Stafford, DB.
ECSU: Curtis Rich, QB; Chris Carter, WR; Greg Moore, DL.


St. AUGUSTINE'S AT JOHNSON C. SMITH: Without question, the surprise of the college football season is JCSU. However, at 5-1 and a regional ranking, JCSU still has work to do. St. Aug has stumbled this season after last year's fantastic campaign. However, they proved last week that they still have fight in them. The Falcons fought NCCU down to the wire finally falling 27-18 and will battle the Golden Bulls. JCSU has been stout defensively led by the linebacking corps of Fred Williams and Ed Wilson. The Golden Bulls have only given up 7 points in its last two contests. The Golden Bulls are also fighting to earn a postseason game. (i.e, Championship Game, Pioneer Bowl)

Players to watch: St. Aug: Kevin Jones, LB; Brandon Franklin, QB; Alex Hall, DL.
JCSU: De'Audra Dix, DB; Fred Williams, LB; Ed Wilson, LB.


VIRGINIA UNION AT SHAW: VUU has played well recently and would be undefeated but for a four overtime loss to JCSU. QB Lamar Little has been outstanding and leads the CIAA in touchdown passes. Shaw lost a heartbreaker to Bowie State and must win to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Players to watch: VUU: Lamar Little, QB; Michael Hampton, WR; Chad Talley, P.
Shaw: Jermonty Kimbrough, QB; James Petway, WR; Reginald Price, RB.


VIRGINIA STATE AT ST. PAUL'S: The winless Trojans look to end their losing streak at St. Paul's. The Tigers have suffered two back to back losses that have nearly knocked them out of playoff contention. St. Paul's will look to win at home and start a three-game home stretch on a winning note.

Players to watch: VSU: Davian Richards, WR; Anthony Hailstock, DB; Thomas Boyd, QB.
St. Paul's: Demetrius Brown, QB; Lonie Sanders, WR; Terrance Peterkin, DB.