CIAA Football Preview - Week 10

CIAA Preview Week Ten 
October 29, 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 10 - ECSU DOWN ANDEITHER SHAW OR FSU TO GO

The final week of reckoning takes place on Saturday as Shaw and Fayetteville State fight to earn the final spot in the Championship Game. Of course, Shaw has the easiest road to Durham...win and they are in. FSU will need help...a Shaw loss and a win against Livingstone. Elizabeth City State has already taken care of business in the East and is awaiting the West Winner.

GAME OF THE WEEK: SHAW AT JOHNSON C. SMITH: Shaw has been on a roll since knocking off FSU on October 12 to take control of the West. The Bears have scored 123 points in their last two wins against Chowan and Livingstone. QB Travis Robinson has been impressive in 2008, passing for 14 touchdowns in Shaw's run-first offense. RB Raymond Williams has averaged an impressive 6.7 yards per carry. Of course, defense is where Shaw's bread is buttered and they are giving up only 200 yards per contest. JCSU QB Carl Richardson will be playing his final contest after a fine career. The three-year starter will be looking to close out his Golden Bull career with a win. Of course, this is a close out game for Shaw and they are always difficult for the potential clinching team. (1:00 p.m. at Charlotte).

Players to watch: (Shaw: QB Travis Robinson; RB Raymond Williams; DL Louis Ellis).
(JCSU: QB Carlton Richardson; WR Jeremy Franklin; DB Darius Johnson).

LIVINGSTONE AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE: In spite of the precarious position of being on the outside looking in as far as the Championship Game is concerned, the Broncos have hope. At 7-2, they are ranked nationally for the first time since 2002. They are also in position to earn an NCAA playoff berth but will need help in the final regional rankings. The Broncos, however, can take solace in the fact that a final day stumble has happened before. In 2005, St. Aug fell on the final Saturday which opened the door for North Carolina Central to win the Western Division. The Broncos have played well all season with the exception of their stumble at Shaw two weeks ago. RB Richard Medlin has been consistent for FSU, and has supported either one of their QBs, Bryan Hardy or Ben Williams. Livingstone will look to close the 2008 season with an upset of FSU. (1:00 p.m. at Fayetteville, NC).  

Players to watch: (Livingstone: RB Rashaad Flucker; PR William Graves; QB Steven Williams). (FSU: WR Daryl Barnett; RB Richard Medlin; LB Marcos Esquivel).  

VIRGINIA STATE AT BOWIE STATE: Other than ECSU, the Trojans have been the hottest team in the CIAA., winning three games in a row down the stretch. Unfortunately for the Trojans, they started their hot streak a little late. However, the building blocks appear to be in place for a strong 2009. The CIAA's leading rusher, Taron Hampton, is just a freshman and will lead a strong, young corps of veterans back to VSU in 2009. VSU is looking to bring home the win and finish above .500 for the first time since 2005. Bowie State is looking to finish above .500 after its upset of Virginia Union. (1:00 p.m. at Bowie, MD).

Players to watch: (VSU: RB Taron Hampton; QB Leonard Johnson; WR Brian Berry) (BSU: QB Jason Scott; RB Isaac Redmon; WR Clifton Budd).

CHOWAN AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S: St. Aug has had an up and down season. Victories over Shaw and Catawba have been impressive. However, the loss to JCSU was one of the downers. St. Aug will be looking to finish off the 2008 Season on a winning note. It is Homecoming at St. Aug. (4:00 p.m. at Raleigh).

Players to watch: (Chowan: QB CJ Westler; WR James Fox; WR Eddie Coard).
(St. Aug: DL Marcus Kennedy; RB Arnold Mullins; DL Phil Stevenson).  

ST. PAUL'S AT LINCOLN: St. Paul's can salvage their 2008 season by knocking off Lincoln and finish at .500 for the second consecutive year. Lincoln will look to win their first contest against a CIAA opponent this season. (1:00 p.m. at Lincoln, PA).

Players to watch: (St. Paul's: DB Gregory Toler: P Marlon Buchanon: PR Emory Addison). (Lincoln: DB Anthony Bell; LB Daron Jones; QB Kareem Davis).