THE CIAA STRETCH RUN BEGINS!

The Road to Charlotte and the CIAA Football Championship
"Returning to Charlotte after 25 Years"
The Championship Game - November 10

WEEK 10 - THE CIAA STRETCH RUN BEGINS!

October 24, 2007

Hampton, VA - Shaw had the opportunity to clinch the West early with a win last weekend at Fayetteville State. However, the Bears stumbled and now must win out or hope for an FSU loss down the stretch. Shaw will have their hands full trying to contain Bowie State and Isaac Redman. FSU will look to avenge last year's 10-7 loss to Johnson C. Smith. In the East, if Elizabeth City State wins, they're in, but a very dangerous St. Paul's team looms. Virginia Union continues to control its playoff destiny, ranked sixth in the NCAA Southeast.

GAME OF THE WEEK: VIRGINIA UNION AT VIRGINIA STATE (TV Game): Virginia Union bounced back well after their upset loss to Elizabeth City State. The Panthers' Lamar Little passed for 216 yards and four touchdowns against Bowie State. Little  is on pace to pass the 2388 yards of total offense gained in 2006. He has gained 1,940 yards thus far in 2007. Also, Elihu Smith is on the brink of a 1,000 yard rushing season. However, the going won't be easy in Petersburg for VUU against their fierce archrival. The Trojans have revived their offense and have scored 39 and 35 points on consecutive outings. QB Michael Terry is playing his best and RB Nick Fleming has been a key contributor. Defensively, the Panthers will lean on DL Brandon Smith (10 sacks) and Andre Smith (four interceptions). Last year's contest ended in a 34-31 shootout win for Virginia Union. This year's contest shapes up to be an even higher scoring affair. (1:00 p.m. at Petersburg).

Players to watch: (Virginia Union: QB Lamar Little; RB Elihu Smith; Brandon Smith).  (Virginia State: RB Nick Fleming: QB Michael Terry; WR Davian Richards).

SHAW AT BOWIE STATE: Last weekend's game against FSU quickly turned from a coronation to resignation. The Bears had the opportunity to clinch earlier than any divisional winner last weekend and now find themselves in a dogfight with the Broncos. QB Travis Robinson had a hot hand going into last weekend's games but fell flat at FSU. Robinson's three interceptions doomed the Bears and helped set up this weekend's clash at Bowie State.  RB Isaac Redman has been on a tear since returning to field earlier this year. He has over 100 yards per contest and a 200-yard game since he came back. However, the Bulldogs have gotten very little offensive help for Redman. If the Bulldogs hope to keep their slim divisional hopes alive, they must overcome the Bear's top-ranked game plan with more than just Redman. (2:00 p.m. at Bowie, MD).

Players to watch: (Shaw: QB Travis Robinson; RB Alan Atwater; WR Lenell King).
(Bowie State: RB Issac Redman; QB Jason Scott; DL Alexander Payton).

FAYETTEVILLE STATE AT JOHNSON C. SMITH: FSU has revived itself and its title chances with their 24-16 upset win over Shaw last weekend. The Broncos, however, must win out and hope for help from either Bowie State or St. Augustine's (Shaw's next two opponents). Defensively, LB Geron Harper was back in his All-CIAA form and DB Jeff Gowdy picked off three passes against Shaw. The Broncos have set themselves up as the other contender for the West (all others are eliminated), however, they have no room for error...lose and they are eliminated. The Golden Bulls believed 2007 would be their year and that they would be hosting the CIAA Championship Game in Charlotte. However, the season that began with so many hopes and dreams has deteriorated. The vaunted Golden Bull Defense of 2006 is now giving up 29 points per contest. An upset win over the Broncos would help salve the wounds of 2007 and pep up the Homecoming crowd.
(1:30 p.m. at Charlotte, North Carolina).

Players to watch: (Fayetteville State: LB Geron Harper; RB Richard Medlin; DB Donte Wise). (Johnson C. Smith: QB Carl Richardson; WR Jeremy Franklin; DB De'Audra Dix).

ELIZABETH CITY STATE AT ST. PAUL'S: This contest defines "trap game." ECSU survived 7-0 against the Tigers last year in Lawrenceville and this year's bunch has bite.
St. Paul's has won two in a row for the first time since rejoining the CIAA membership in 2005.  The Tigers will be ready for the Vikings after last year's close call. The Vikings control their own destiny...win against St. Paul's and Bowie State and they will be back in the Championship Game. However, that task is easier said than done. The Viking Offense exploded for 55 points against Livingstone and will need to stay consistent to support the ECSU Defense. DB Justin Hamilton and DL Greg Moore pace the Vikings.
(1:30 p.m. at Lawrenceville, VA).

Players to watch: (Elizabeth City State: RB Brandon Fields; DB Justin Hamilton; DL Greg Moore). (St. Paul's: QB Dessein Jean; WR Morris Sadiq; DB Gregory Toler).

ST. AUGUSTINE'S AT LIVINGSTONE: It has been a tough year for the Falcons and the Blue Bears. Both teams will look to close the 2007 season strong. (6:00 p.m. at Salisbury, NC).

Players to watch: (St. Augustine's: DL Alex Hall; DL Marcus Crump; QB Brandon Franklin). (Livingstone: QB Steven Williams; DB Lionel Vincent; RB Rashaad Flucker).