Football
'99
by Tonia Walker
In the final week of CIAA regular season action, Virginia Union (6-1, 8-2) traveled to Charlotte, NC and whipped Johnson C. Smith (1-6, 2-9), 50-6, at their homecoming in Charlotte before a crowd of 16,631 fans. The Panthers owned the game from onset, finishing with 362 rushing yards while allowing Johnson C. Smith only 60. Virginia Union’s Andre Braxton carried the ball 19 times, netting152 yards rushing and 3 TDs . Mackise London also carried the ball 18 times for 115 yards. Sony Pierre led the defensive charge with 7 total tackles, one for a loss, and 2 pass breakups. Johnson C. Smith’s Craig Brown caught four passes for 113 yards. Jimmy Bell rushed for 61 yards on 13 carries scoring the Golden Bulls sole TD. He also caught two passes. Abraham Reed and Albert Layton contributed 11 tackles each to aid in the Golden Bull defensive effort.
Virginia State (5-2, 6-4), ended their season with a win over Elizabeth City State (1-6, 1-10), 45-17. Virginia State scored consistently in each quarter, and finished the day with 475 yards of total offense. Quarterback Antonio Hawkins completed 27 of 45 passes for 363 yards. Damon Thompson caught 16 passes for 261 yards, as he broke the CIAA single season reception record with 90 catches, breaking his past record of 88 receptions, set last season. He surpassed his CIAA single game reception yard record with 261 yards, which he previously set earlier this season with 254 yards. He also had 5 punt returns for 67 yards and 3 kick off returns for 71 yards, thus amassing 442 all-purpose yards and earning dual weekly conference honors. Defensively, Ohnja Bynum and Michael Wall each took down 7 opponents. Vikings Michael Forbes was the offensive standout, connecting on 13 of 34 passes for 190 yards and a TD. Derrick Watkins had 9 tackles and an interception, while David Haskins and Adrian Richardson took down 8 Trojans each.
Livingstone (2-5, 4-7) played host to Fayetteville State (1-6, 1-10) at Dudley High School in Greensboro, NC. Livingstone came out victorious, 34-7, holding the Broncos scoreless until late in the final quarter. Livingstone jumped out in front from the start of the game, scoring back-to-back touchdowns in the first quarter. Livingstone accumulated 322 rushing yards, and 130 passing yards, while holding Fayetteville State to 191 yard of total offense. D’Andre Hopper netted 156 yards rushing on 18 carries and 1 TD. He also connected on 4 of 12 passes for 97 yards and 2 TDs. Carlton Jones contributed 112 yards rushing on 15 carries and also caught 3 passes for 57 yards and a TD. Marcus Bankhead led the defensive charge with 9 tackles. Both Tornell Jones and Marcus Little had 7 tackles a piece. Chris Stewart threw for 147 yards and a TD on 13 of 32 passes. Mark Green caught 3 passes for 42 yards and David Porter grabbed 2 passes to score the Bronco’s only TD. Shawn Morgan ran for 46 yards on 11 carries. Manzel Spencer racked up 10 tackles to lead the Bronco defensively and Douglas Dolberry had three interceptions for 82 yards.
Winston-Salem State (7-0, 7-3) stepped outside the conference, playing in the Gold Coast Classic in San Diego, CA in front of 18,671 supporters. Grambling State jumped out on top initially until the Rams made a comeback in the 4th quarter. The Rams came within two points making the score 18-16 with 10:31 left to play. They scored the final touchdown with :41 seconds left in the game when Tory Woodbury ran the ball in from the 1 yard line and Shawn Thomas connected on the extra point. But, it was too late as the Rams were defeated, 25-23. Woodbury netted 62 yards rushing on 19 carries and threw for 198 yards on 20 of 37 completions. Terrie Newkirk hauled in 64 yards on 20 carries. Errick Hargrove tallied seven tackles, had one forced fumble and a pass breakup.
Winston-Salem State will represent the CIAA in the 3rd Annual Pioneer Bowl. The game has been tentatively set for December 18, 1999 at 6:00 pm at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Georgia predicated on final planning by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The Rams will take on Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Tuskegee University (5-1, 8-2).