CIAA Preview Week Nine: October 18,
2006
CIAA FOOTBALL 2006: "THE YEAR OF THE QUARTERBACK"
CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - NOVEMBER 11 - DURHAM
The excitement continues to build for the November 11 Championship
Game as both North Carolina Central and Elizabeth City State
continue to lead the West and East respectively. However, Virginia
Union and Johnson C. Smith have not been eliminated from the
Championship race. Also, the race for the Pioneer Bowl continues
with the eagerly anticipated announcement of the competing teams
occurring the week of November 13.
GAME OF THE WEEK: VIRGINIA STATE AT VIRGINIA
UNION: The Gold Bowl is one of college football's most
anticipated annual events. This season, host Virginia Union will be
highly favored against one-win Virginia State. QB Lamar Little has
been spectacular this season, passing for a league best 17
touchdowns. He is also VUU's leading rusher and the CIAA's third
leading rusher with 514 yards this season. Virginia State avoided a
winless season with its 24-5 win over St. Paul's last weekend.
Virginia Union must continue to win to keep pace with East leader
Elizabeth City State.
Players to watch: Virginia State: Davian Richards, WR; Anthony
Hailstock, DB; Thomas Boyd, QB.
Virginia Union: Lamar Little, QB; Michael Hampton, WR; Chad Talley,
P.
SHAW AT ELIZABETH CITY STATE: The Bears were
eliminated from the Eastern Division race last weekend with its
loss to VUU. However, Shaw can play spoiler with an upset over
ECSU. QB Jermonty Kimbrough begins to close a stellar career for
Shaw. ECSU Junior QB Curtis Rich continues to be one of the top
stories of the 2006 Season. Rich has passed for 15 touchdowns and
only one interception. Marvin Jackson and Chris Carter lead an
outstanding receiving corps. Defensively, ECSU is giving up only a
measly 14 points per contest.
Players to watch: Shaw: Jermonty Kimbrough, QB; James Petway, WR;
Reginald Price, RB.
ECSU: Curtis Rich, QB; Chris Carter, WR; Greg Moore, DL.
FAYETTEVILLE STATE AT JOHNSON C. SMITH: The Golden
Bulls stumbled last weekend against St. Aug. JCSU's three-game
winning streak came to an abrupt halt at home and the Golden Bulls
dropped an all-important game further back of West leader North
Carolina Central. However, JCSU is still very much in the chase for
the Pioneer Bowl. Defensively, the Golden Bulls have been stout,
led by linebackers Fred Williams and Ed Wilson. De'Audra Dix has
also been outstanding defensively and on special teams. FSU has
been eliminated from the Western race and will be playing for pride
on Saturday.
Players to watch: FSU: Nick Green, RB; Jonathan Autry, QB; Daryl
Barnett, WR.
JCSU:Marquis Belton, WR; De'Audra Dix, DB; Donja Goodson, QB.
BOWIE STATE AT ST. PAUL'S: The Bulldogs
received a boost with the return of QB Lamar Manigo to the lineup.
However, the homecoming crown and Manigo's triumphant return were
not enough to knock off the Vikings. However, BSU still can salvage
a winning season. Bowie State is tops in the conference in total
defense. St. Paul's looks to end its three-game losing streak.
Players to watch: BSU: Lamar Manigo, QB; Nathaniel Queen, RB;
Terrence Stafford, DB.
SPC: Demetrius Brown, QB; Lonie Sanders, WR; Terence Peterkin,
DB.
LIVINGSTONE AT ST. AUG: The Falcons pulled off
a big upset against Johnson C. Smith. St. Aug held JCSU to only
nine points at home and re-established their defensive bravado.
Livingstone has struggled since upsetting Bowie State in September
and hopes to play spoiler at the Falcons' homecoming.
Players to watch: LC: Jason Mitchell, QB; Tyrone Baisden, WR;
Steven Williams, DB.
St. Aug: Kevin Jones, LB; Brandon Franklin, QB; Carlos Peoples,
K.
LANGSTON AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL: The Eagles
are one-game away from clinching the Western Division and the
opportunity to defend their CIAA Title. However, NCCU goes outside
of conference this week to meet a tough Langston ballclub. The
Eagles are arguably the best team in black college football and
have handled all opponents easily this season. They are moving
closer and closer to a perfect regular season.
Players to watch: Greg Pruitt, RB; Julius McClelland, WR; Craig
Amos, DB.
