The Road to Charlotte and the CIAA
Football Championship
"Returning to Charlotte after 25 Years"
The Championship Game - November 10
WEEK 9 - THE CIAA WEST COULD BE WON THIS WEEK!
October 17, 2007
Hampton, VA - Since the resurrection of the Championship Game and Divisional play in 2000, Shaw is in position to clinch a divisional title earlier than any other divisional winner. In the East, things are much murkier. Elizabeth City State controls its own destiny but still has a tough road ahead. Virginia Union is still in prime position to grab a playoff spot but must win out and hope the Vikings lose to claim a spot in the Championship Game.
GAME OF THE WEEK: BOWIE STATE AT VIRGINIA UNION (TV Game): The Annual Gold Bowl is one of the most anticipated events annually, anywhere. The annual festival, however, is in question and many fans wonder if this will be the last Gold Bowl. Bowie State and Virginia Union, however, will not be concerned about events that do not relate to their important eastern divisional showdown. Both VUU and BSU were upset last weekend and now cannot afford to lose again if they hope to win the East. All-Star QB Lamar Little was somewhat bottled up by the ECSU Defense. He will need another one of his signature games this weekend. RB Elihu Smith will need to provide some additional offensive punch for VUU. Bowie State was reborn after RB Isaac Redman returned but stumbled against Virginia State. The Bulldogs will need their defense to play a little stingier after giving up 39 points to VSU last weekend. (1:00 p.m. at Richmond).
Players to watch: (Bowie State: QB Jason Scott; RB Isaac Redman;
OL Jerrick Jeffreys).
(Virginia Union: QB Lamar Little; WR Michael Hampton; DL Greg
Moore).
SHAW AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE: Shaw is the unique and enviable position of being able to clinch the West in Week Nine. It would be the earliest juncture that any team has clinched the division since divisional play returned in 2000. QB Travis Robinson has taken over the starting job and has thrown six touchdowns over the past two weeks. RB Alan Atwater has helped an improved running game. Defensively, the Bears lead the CIAA in total defense allowing less than 160 yards per game. Fayetteville State has slim divisional hopes but will need an upset of Shaw and hope that the Bears stumble down the stretch. This is homecoming for FSU. (2:00 p.m. at Fayetteville).
Players to watch: (Shaw: QB Travis Robinson; RB Alan Atwater; WR
Lenell King).
(Fayetteville State: WR Bobby Wilder; RB Richard Medlin; DB Donte
Wise).
LIVINGSTONE AT ELIZABETH CITY STATE: The Vikings have now hit their midseason stride with a three-game winning streak. ECSU seized control of the East with their upset win over the Panthers. RB Brandon Fields rushed for a season-high 168 yards and the Viking Defense forced four important turnovers. Defensively, the Vikings have regained their 2006 form led by All-CIAA DL Greg Moore. DB Justin Hamilton leads the CIAA with four interceptions and is the beneficiary of a fierce ECSU pass rush. Livingstone fought well against Shaw for the first half of their contest. However, they were overmatched in the second half eventually falling 35-7. This is homecoming for the Vikings and their first home contest since September. (1:30 p.m. at Elizabeth City).
Players to watch: (Elizabeth City State: RB Brandon Fields; DL Greg Moore; DB Justin Fields). (Livingstone: QB Steven Williams; DB Lionel Vincent; RB Rashaad Flucker).
VIRGINIA STATE AT JOHNSON C. SMITH: Johnson C. Smith, a favorite in the West, fell last week to St. Paul's ending their chances of winning the division. Virginia State's upset of Bowie State has helped to shine a bright light on what had been a disappointing 2007 campaign. (6:00 p.m. at Charlotte).
Players to watch: (Johnson C. Smith: QB Carl Richardson; WR Jeremy Franklin; DB De'Audra Dix). (Virginia State: QB Michael Terry; RB Nick Fleming; WR Brandon Crump).
ST. PAUL'S AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S: St. Paul's pulled off the upset of the weekend knocking off JCSU in Charlotte. This weekend, the Tigers hope to knock off the Falcons on their homecoming date. (1:00 p.m at Raleigh).
Players to watch: (St. Paul's: QB Dessein Jean; WR Morris Sadiq;
DB Gregory Toler).
(St. Augustine's: DL Alex Hall; DL Marcus Crump; QB Brandon
Franklin).
