CIAA Football Preview - Week Five

CIAA Preview Week Five                                    
September 24, 2008 

The Road to Durham and the CIAA Football Championship
"Bringing the Championship Game back to the Triangle"
The Championship Game - November 8 - Durham

WEEK 5 - THE CONFERENCE SEASON CONTINUES

The conference season began with a bang last weekend with top Eastern and Western Contenders Virginia Union and Fayetteville State winning big in their conference openers. This weekend, all eleven CIAA Football Schools swing into action as the cross-division schedule continues.

GAME OF THE WEEK: BOWIE STATE AT SHAW: These two rugged defensive teams both rank in the top three in total defense in the CIAA. Both the Bears and Bulldogs are also contenders in their respective divisions. A loss this early will cripple their chances of winning a divisional title. Shaw bounced back to defeat Lincoln after a tough loss to Texas Southern, putting up 56 points in the process. The Bears will have a tougher time scoring touchdowns on Saturday. The Bulldog defense is giving up only 16 points per contest. RB Tariq Jones is averaging 5.7 yards per rush for Bowie State and had a whopping 147 yards against Livingstone last weekend. However, Shaw leads the CIAA in rushing defense, allowing only 55 yards per game. Yes, the irresistible force will meet the immovable object on Saturday. 2007 Defensive Player of the Year Louis Ellis will look to assert himself against the huge BSU Offensive Line. Shaw likes to utilize its running game by playing the tandem of Johnny Wooten and Raymond Williams. The overall play of BSU QB Jason Scott and Shaw QB Marcus Brooks may determine the outcome of this contest. (4:00 p.m. at Durham).

Players to watch: (Bowie State: RB Tariq Jones; WR Clifton Budd; QB Jason Scott).
(Shaw: DL Louis Ellis; RB Johnny Wooten; QB Marcus Brooks).

ST. AUGUSTINE'S VS. ELIZABETH CITY STATE: The Down East Classic in Rocky Mount is one of the most anticipated games of the year. The weekend is full of fun, family and football. However, there will be little jolly on the field for the Vikings and the Falcons. Both are in must-win situations after winning their respective openers and dropping their next three contests. St. Aug lost a heartbreaker to VSU, 6-3 on a last second field goal last weekend. ECSU has lost three straight to South Atlantic Opponents on the road by an average of a touchdown. The Vikings will look to assert themselves with the return of leading receiver Dexter Manley to the lineup. ECSU won its conference opener in week one and look to stay atop the Eastern standings with a win over the Falcons. St. Aug will lean on strong DL Marcus Crump to stifle the Viking Offense. (4:00 p.m. at Rocky Mount, NC).

Players to watch: (St. Augustine's: DL Marcus Crump; WR Richard Boone; QB Anthony Brown)
(ECSU: DB Rod Jones; QB Curtis Rich; RB Dennis Hamilton).

FAYETTEVILLE STATE AT VIRGINIA STATE: The Trojans will look to continue the stellar defensive play they showed against St. Aug on Saturday. The Broncos bring the CIAA's top offense to Ettrick. FSU is scoring 38 points per contest. QB Bryan Hardy returned to the lineup replacing Ben Williams who played well. He threw four TD passes against St. Paul's. St. Augustine's will look to revive its offensive play by handing the ball off to RB Arnold Mullins. VSU RB Taron Hampton is second in the league in rushing averaging 125 yards per contest. FSU Receivers Bobby Hamilton and Daryl Barnett are a tough duo for secondaries to handle. (6:00 p.m. at Ettrick, VA).

Players to watch: (Fayetteville State: QB Bryan Hardy; RB Richard Medlin; LB Terrel Allen).
(Virginia State: RB Taron Hampton; WR Davian Richards; QB Leonard Johnson).

VIRGINIA UNION AT CHOWAN: All-American QB Lamar Little is rounding into form. After getting off to a slow, injury-riddled start, Little has slung seven TDs in two weeks. If that isn't frustrating enough for opponents, RB Tarian Donaldson is averaging 136 yards per contest. This season, unlike in '07, the Panthers are the top defensive team in the conference giving up a mere 11 points per contest. Chowan will have its hands full but can look forward to hosting its first CIAA contest. QB CJ Westler will lead the way for an upset. (6:00 p.m. at Murfreesboro, NC).

Players to watch: (Virginia Union: QB Lamar Little; RB Tarian Donaldson; LB Brandon Smith).
(Chowan: QB CJ Westler; WR James Fox; WR Eddie Coard).

JOHNSON C. SMITH AT ST. PAUL'S: St. Paul's looked to extend its CIAA winning streak against FSU, but ran into a brick wall. JCSU also met one of the CIAA's best; falling to Virginia Union. This is a must win for both teams. Falling to 0-2 may end both teams' divisional title hopes early. (1:30 p.m. at Lawrenceville, VA).

LIVINGSTONE AT LINCOLN: Livingstone fought well against Bowie State before falling in the fourth quarter. They will look to get their first win since 2006 against the Lions. Lincoln will look to get its first win against a CIAA opponent on Saturday. (1:00 p.m. at Lincoln, PA).