WEEK 10 – SHOWDOWN WEEKEND!

2010 CIAA Football-Triskaidekaphobia: Fear the 13
The Championship Game-November 13-Durham, NC

WEEK 10 – SHOWDOWN WEEKEND!

October 26, 2010
 
Hampton, VA – Week One of possibly the three most exciting weeks in CIAA Football History begins Saturday. Two intriguing matchups will go a long way in determining who wins their way into the CIAA Championship Game.
 
GAME OF THE WEEK: WINSTON-SALEM STATE AT SHAW (TV GAME): The Rams’ destiny was in their hands just a few short weeks ago. At 6-0, WSSU was riding high and making plans for the CIAA Championship Game in Durham. Then came St. Augustine’s with everything to gain and nothing to lose…and thus, the making of an upset was in place. Now, WSSU has a must-win game against Shaw to keep its Championship hopes alive. If they win, they must hope Shaw knocks off St. Augustine’s on November 6 and a three-way tie occurs. Shaw, on the other hand, controls its destiny. If they win their last two games against WSSU and St. Aug, they are in the Championship Game…a task easier said than done. First things first, Shaw must defeat the powerful Rams (8-1). While Shaw is 6-2, they lack a signature win. Wins over WSSU and St. Aug, both ranked in the AFCA Division II Top 25, would give Shaw a huge strength of schedule boost.  This game is guaranteed to be a barn burner and a battle for the ages! This game is televised so check your local listings. (1:00 p.m. at Raleigh).
Players to watch: (WSSU: RB Nic Cooper; QB Kameron Smith; WR Tevin Brantley).
(Shaw: RB Raymond Williams; QB Kevin Atkins; WR Julius Gregory).
 
VIRGINIA STATE AT VIRGINIA UNION: Virginia State is looking to play in its first Championship Game since the Divisional format was resurrected in 2000. This season, VSU is on the brink of a Championship. They must simply win their last two contests…once again, easier said than done. A trip to Virginia Union right up I-95 is looming. VSU has had a tough time winning against their in-state rival. This year, in spite of VUU’s record, the Panthers will be ready. VSU played their best game of the season last weekend with its 42-0 handling of Lincoln. The Trojans will have their work ahead of them. Stopping red hot VUU QB Aris McGlone-English and his top receiver Joseph Jean-Pierre will be paramount for the Trojans. (1:00 p.m. at Richmond).
Players to watch: (VSU: RB Antwain Lyde; QB Jarred Battle; WR Brian Berry).
(VUU: QB Aris McGlone-English; WR Joseph Jean-Pierre; RB Tarian Donaldson).
 
ST. AUGUSTINE’S AT LIVINGSTONE: The Falcons are flying high at 7-1 and control their destiny. If they knock off the Blue Bears and Shaw over the next two weeks, they are in the Championship Game. RB Walter Sanders has put up an amazing 1177 yards with two games left. St. Augustine’s is also fighting for a spot in the Division II playoffs. Livingstone looks to pull the upset of the year in the CIAA. (1:00 p.m. at Salisbury).
Players to watch: (St. Aug: RB Walter Sanders; LB Steven Stanback; DL Anthony Harris).
(Livingstone: WR Omar McFadden; QB Curtis Edens; LB Bryan Aycoth).
 
CHOWAN AT ELIZABETH CITY STATE: Chowan and Elizabeth City State both have slim hopes of reaching the CIAA Championship Game. Chowan has won three of its last four contests to get back in the conference race. ECSU has lost its last two to fall to a distant third in the Northern Division. This is ECSU’s homecoming and they look to pull off a huge win to close out the season on a positive note. (1:30 p.m. at Elizabeth City, NC).
Players to watch: (Chowan: WR Robert Holland; WR Eddie Coard; RB Elliot Smalls).
(ECSU: RB Daronte McNeill; QB Creven Powell; DL Malcolm Jenkins).
 
JOHNSON C. SMITH AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE: The Broncos have won two of their last three games and have built positive momentum for their young players. FSU looks to build on its experience and be poised for another title in 2011. JCSU fought a spirited fight against St. Aug before losing 34-24. They look to go on the road and pull the upset of FSU. (1:00 p.m. at Fayetteville).
Players to watch: (JCSU: QB Ryan Carter; WR Jeremy Franklin; DB Darian Talley).
(FSU: RB Richard Medlin; QB Robert Benjamin; LB Jeremy Cunningham).
 
ST. PAUL’S AT LINCOLN: Lincoln looks to win its first conference game of the season. St. Paul’s is looking to close out 2010 on a positive note. (1:00 p.m. at Lincoln University, PA).
Players to watch: (St. Paul’s: QB Steffen Miller-Cohen; WR Jason Davis; RB Albert Tinsley).
(Lincoln: QB Laquan Williams; WR Matthew Colston; DB Jairon Bailey).