The CIAA Championship Game 1970-2005:
"Celebrating the Birth of an Original"
The Championship Game - November 5 - Durham

Week 8 - East and West Divisional Races Still Uncertain

St. Augustine’s continues to reign as the top team in the Southeast, however, their lead in the West is not so certain. The Falcons are the region’s lone unbeaten team after both Wingate and Arkansas Tech fell this weekend. However, in the West, St. Aug is tied with Winston-Salem State and an October 29 date looms at Winston-Salem. Meanwhile in the East, Shaw and Virginia State still have difficult contests this weekend before they can look to their October 22 contest in Raleigh.

GAME OF THE WEEK: NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE:I know...I know...NCCU has been playing in the game of the week all season. However, what can be done? The Eagles have been involved in critical matchups every week. It is a testament to their staff that they still remain in the Championship hunt. If NCCU can survive their test this weekend...albeit a very stern test...the Eagles will have only Livingstone and Johnson C. Smith left. Give the Rams some credit. While they did not post the impressive early season wins as some of their CIAA brethren, WSSU has regrouped. The Rams have won four straight and sit atop the West standings with St. Aug. This one will test the mettle of the Eagles. Their signal caller, Adrian Warren, is banged up. Warren’s strong right arm carried NCCU to a 5-0 start, but he has faltered since injuring his shoulder. Charles “Stick” Futrell may have to carry the load again at QB. WSSU’s ground attack is at full throttle with Martin Hicks and Jed Bines both averaging over 100 yards per contest. Get there early...this one will be packed!! (6:00 p.m. at Winston-Salem).

(Players to watch: NCCU: QB Adrian Warren, QB Charles Futrell, RB Greg Pruitt).
(WSSU: RB Jed Bines, RB Martin Hicks, DB Nathaniel Biggs).


ELIZABETH CITY STATE AT SHAW: The Bears are still alive and kicking in the East. After winning two straight buzzer beaters at Bowie State and Virginia Union, Shaw returns home to Raleigh. This is homecoming, but business must be taken care of first. Locked in a dead heat with VSU, Shaw must continue to win to keep pace. Don’t let ECSU’s 1-6 record fool you, the Vikings will be a tough out for the Bears. Last weekend, they gave 5-2 Bowie all they wanted before falling 13-8. QB Jermonty Kimbrough has stepped up his game, passing for over 1500 yards thus far. RB Dion McIver has awakened the running game with back to back 100 yard rushing efforts. (1:30 p.m. at Raleigh).

(Players to watch: RB Dion McIver; QB Jermonty Kimbrough; DB Devin Chatman).
(ECSU: DL Maceo Thomas; DL Greg Moore; RB Dennis Hamilton).

ST. PAUL’S AT BOWIE STATE: Bowie State is still in the fight in the East, but now must get help. They can help themselves by knocking off the impressive Tigers at homecoming. SPC fought Virginia State into three overtimes before falling at their homecoming, so they will be hungry in this one. RB Issac Redman who has played pretty average since an impressive September, rushed for 210 yards at ECSU. He will need to play at this level for the Bulldogs to win on Saturday. (1:00 p.m. at Bowie, MD).

(Players to watch: St. Paul’s: RB Larry Graham; QB Walter Virgil; DB Greg Toler).
(BSU: RB Issac Redman, DL Sterling Green; WR Glenn Thomas).

VIRGINIA UNION AT VIRGINIA STATE: This I-95 rivalry is one where the records can be thrown out. VSU is still fighting for their divisional lives and needs this one to keep pace. VUU was all but eliminated with their double overtime loss against Shaw. VSU has gotten improved play from RB Nick Fleming and their defensive unit. RB Elihu Smith and QB John Grier have led an impressive offensive surge, however, they will be tested by the VSU Defense. (1:30 p.m. at Petersburg).

(Players to watch: VUU: QB John Grier; RB Elihu Smith; DB Sean Nunnally).
(VSU: QB Michael Terry; RB Nick Fleming; WR Antwan Williams).

ST. AUGUSTINE’S AT LIVINGSTONE: St. Aug struggled against winless JCSU last weekend, and did not play like the top team in the Southeast Region. They must improve their play at Livingstone, as they finish the season against Fayetteville State and at Winston-Salem. Defensively, the Falcons are giving up a measly five points per game. QB Darrell Nesbitt must pick up his production if the Falcons plan to march through the rest of the season undefeated. (6:00 p.m. at Salisbury, NC).

(Players to watch: SAC; QB Darrell Nesbitt; WR Eddie Montgomery; RB Kenneth Snowden).
(LC: QB Jason Mitchell; DB Ryan Goings; WR Chris Jeter).

JOHNSON C. SMITH AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE: For the first time in four years, FSU will not enjoy a postseason. Last weekend’s loss at NCCU knocked the Broncos out of playoff contention. The Golden Bulls hope to catch FSU during a hangover. However, FSU’s homecoming and a winning season is still in reach. FSU will have much to say in the West as they could play spoiler at St. Aug. (1:30 p.m. at Fayetteville).

(Players to watch: JCSU: LB George Pope; RB Anthony Daigle; WR Marquis Belton).
(FSU: QB Jonathan Autry; WR Veon McHam; RB Amir Holding).