WEEK 9 – EXCITING DIVISIONAL RACES ENTER STRETCH RUN!

 
Triskadekaphobia: Fear the 13!-2010 CIAA Football
The Championship Game – November 13 – Durham, NC

October 19, 2010
 
WEEK 9 – EXCITING DIVISIONAL RACES ENTER STRETCH RUN!
Hampton, VA – Both Northern and Southern Divisional races are in a quandary…it is unclear which team will win the division and a berth in the Championship Game. Seven teams still have a real chance of making the trip to Durham with three weeks left to play.
 
GAME OF THE WEEK: ELIZABETH CITY STATE AT BOWIE STATE: The winner of this contest has won the Division four of the past five seasons. This season, however, both teams trail Virginia State after prior losses to the Trojans. Consequently, BSU and ECSU must take care of their business and wish for a Virginia State stumble. The question for the Vikings is at the quarterback position. Due to injury, QB Creven Powell did not play in the VSU game, and the ECSU offense suffered. Defensively, ECSU was stout, holding VSU to 15 points and scoreless in the second half. Bowie State is looking to repeat its Divisional Title from 2009. The Bulldogs have gotten off to a good start in the conference at 4-1. Defensively, BSU only trails Winston-Salem State in scoring offense and scoring defense in the CIAA. Last year’s contest featured a spectacular BSU comeback in the fourth quarter. The comeback changed the complexion of the divisional race last season. This contest could have the same impact in 2010. (1:00 p.m. at Bowie, MD).
Players to watch: (ECSU: RB Daronte McNeill; WR Dexter Manley; DL Malcolm Jenkins).
(BSU: QB Clifton Budd; RB Tariq Jones; WR James Proctor).
 
UNC PEMBROKE AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE: Rarely has a nonconference game meant so much this late in the season.  Both UNC-P and WSSU are jockeying for Division II Playoff position. UNC-P has impressive wins this season including a home win over national power Carson-Newman. A win over 7-1 WSSU would do a lot to send the Braves to their second straight playoff appearance. WSSU would also be in a strong position for a berth in the Division II playoffs if they can knock off the well-respected Braves. Unlike UNC-P, WSSU is playing for so much more…a conference title. After this contest, the Rams travel to Shaw for a must-win showdown. QB Kameron Smith has been impressive with 18 TD passes as has RB Nic Cooper. This is the Rams’ Homecoming Game. (1:30 p.m. at Winston-Salem, NC).
Players to watch: (WSSU: RB Nic Cooper; WR Tevin Brantley; QB Kameron Smith).
 
CHOWAN AT SHAW: The Hawks have won three in a row to stay in the Northern Divisional race. However, Chowan faces a formidable challenge against Shaw. Chowan needs to keep winning in order to keep pace with Bowie State, Virginia State and Elizabeth City State. Shaw is in a tight three-way race with St. Augustine’s and Winston-Salem State. The Bears must not overlook Chowan with St. Aug and WSSU on the schedule horizon.  Shaw fought off its rival Fayetteville State last weekend 34-27. QB Kevin Atkins passed for 250 yards and two TDs. RB Raymond Williams may be the league’s best tailback averaging 106 yards per contest. Chowan is looking to upset Shaw at its homecoming and keep pace in the North. The Hawks also face a daunting closing stretch with Elizabeth City State and Bowie State looming. (4:00 p.m. at Raleigh, NC).
Players to watch: (Chowan: WR Robert Holland; WR Eddie Coard; RB Elliot Smalls).
(Shaw: RB Raymond Williams; QB Kevin Atkins; WR Julius Gregory).
 
ST. AUGUSTINE’S AT JOHNSON C. SMITH: The Falcons are in prime position to win their first Divisional Title. If St. Aug wins their final three contests, they will punch their ticket to the Championship Game. However, work must be done in order to play on November 13. First is JCSU. The Golden Bulls have gone winless in the conference and look to use Homecoming to break that string. WR Jeremy Franklin is one of the nation’s best wideouts and he will need to have a stellar game against St. Aug. QB Ryan Carter leads the CIAA in passing yardage with 1638. RB Walter Sanders is on the brink of a 1,000 yard season for the Falcons. He has been impressive with his 5.5 yards per carry average. (1:00 p.m. at Charlotte).
Players to watch: (St. Aug: RB Walter Sanders; LB Steven Stanback; DL Anthony Harris).
(JCSU: QB Ryan Carter; WR Jeremy Franklin; DB Darian Talley).
 
 LINCOLN (PA) AT VIRGINIA STATE: The Trojans are in the driving seat…win their last three games and they are in the Championship Game. However, three difficult contests loom. First up is a rapidly improving Lincoln team that has lost two consecutive nailbiters to Chowan and Bowie State. Virginia State won a difficult contest against Elizabeth City State on Thursday night. Defensively, the tough Trojans held the high flying Vikings to a mere touchdown. They will need to keep up the outstanding defensive play to win their final three contests. RB Antwain Lyde has been the Trojans’ most consistent offensive threat.  (1:30 p.m. at Ettrick, VA).
Players to watch: (Lincoln: QB Laquan Williams; WR Matthew Colston; DB Jairon Bailey).
(Virginia State: QB Jared Battle; RB Antwain Lyde; WR Brian Berry).
 
LIVINGSTONE AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE: The Broncos were officially knocked out of the Southern Division race last week. The 2009 Champs will look to build on their experience and finish the rest of their schedule on a winning note. Livingstone has struggled through 2010 and is looking for its first win of the season. This is homecoming at Fayetteville State. (2:00 p.m. at Fayetteville, NC).
Players to watch: (Livingstone: WR Omar McFadden; QB Curtis Edens; LB Bryan Aycoth).
(Fayetteville State: RB Richard Medlin; QB Robert Benjamin; LB Jeremy Cunningham).
 
ST. PAUL’S AT VIRGINIA UNION: Virginia Union got back into the victory column with an impressive win over Johnson C. Smith. They will look to continue their momentum against St. Paul’s. (1:00 p.m. at Richmond).
Players to watch: (St. Paul’s: QB Steffen Miller-Cohen; WR Jason Davis; RB Albert Tinsley).
(Virginia Union: QB Aris McGlone-English; WR Joseph Jean-Pierre; RB Tarian Donaldson).