2014 CIAA Football Preview

8/31/2014 12:00:00 AM

Who will challenge two-time defending champ Winston-Salem State?

By Donal Ware
Boxtorow.com

Over the last 10 years, the CIAA has flourished in football.

You can look at any number of events that would indicate as much. Shaw took down mighty Tuskegee in the Pioneer Bowl in 2004. In 2005, Saint Augustine's became the first CIAA team to garner a No. 1 regional ranking.

In 2006, North Carolina Central hosted a second round NCAA Division II Playoff game after receiving a first round bye. That same year Elizabeth City State received an at-large berth to the playoffs.

More recently, Winston-Salem State has taken the conference to another level with three-straight NCAA Playoff appearances, including an appearance in the national championship game in 2012.

Winston-Salem State still has to be considered the favorite in the conference despite the changes the Rams have faced. In December, former head coach Connell Maynor took the same position at Hampton and defensive coordinator Kienus Boulware took over the reins. The defense, ranked No. 1 in the country last year, will be depleted a bit with some big losses including that of two-time BOXTOROW All-American linebacker Carlos Fields, who is with the Oakland Raiders, and first team All-CIAA defensive lineman Donnie Owens.

Boulware has a good problem at quarterback. First team All-CIAA performer Rudy Johnson returns for his senior season after leading the league in completion percentage (63 percent), passing yards (2,401) and touchdowns (25). Former University of Alabama and University of Virginia transfer Phillip Sims will challenge for the starting spot. According to Boulware receivers have been having trouble catching the ball because of the velocity of the passes.

Both are expected to play.

Coming into the season, Fayetteville State is the team most poised to challenge WSSU for the Southern Division crown, returning 64 players who made contributions from a team that finished a surprising 6-4 overall, 5-2 in the league last year. Junior Derek Bryant took over at quarterback in the fourth game of the season and finished the season completing 56 percent of his passes, averaging 238 passing yards per game with 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Defensively, the Broncos gave up close to 400 yards per game in 2013. But those numbers were a little misleading. The Broncos ranked first in the nation in turnover margin (1.9) and were third in the conference in interceptions (18).

The leader of the defense is one of the most dynamic players in the conference in free safety Michael Johnson. Johnson registered 65 tackles (40 solo), five interceptions and eight pass breakups.

Look for Shaw to also challenge the Rams. Shaw is one of only two CIAA team to have defeated WSSU in the last four years, back in 2010 – the Bears last CIAA championship. The defensive line will be improved and the Bears have perhaps the best offensive player in the conference in running back Marquise Grizzle, who led the league with 1,276 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

In the Northern Division, last year's champion Virginia State has to be the frontrunner. As surprising as FSU was, the Trojans was more surprising finishing 9-1, 7-0 in the conference. This year could be more of a challenge for second year head coach Latrell Scott with the loss of BOXTOROW All-American running back Jordan Anderson and quarterback Justin Thorpe although eight starters return on offense. Sophomore Tarian Ayers is more than capable at quarterback, having started and won two games last year. Three of the top four pass catchers return led by Gene Holloman and Javion Smallwood, who combined for 85 receptions for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns.

Team previews arranged in BOXTOROW predicted order of finish

NORTHERN DIVISION

Virginia State (9-1, 7-0 in 2013)

The Trojans return eight starters on a defense that ranked second in the CIAA in points (17.4) and total yards per game (304). As good as the defense was last year, it was young. Ronald Lewis (10 tackles for loss) will anchor the line, while Shaquille Edwards (five sacks, 11 tackles for loss) moves from the line to linebacker. On offense, sophomore Tarian Ayers is more than capable at quarterback, having started and won two games last year. Three of the top four pass catchers return led by Gene Holloman and Javion Smallwood, who combined for 85 receptions for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns.

Virginia State will travel to California, Pa on Saturday for a 1 pm kickoff against the Vulcans. Follow the game via 91.3 WVST (http://www.mainstreamnetwork.com/listen/player.asp?station=wvst-fm&) or live statistics (http://www.sidearmstats.com/cup/football/).

Elizabeth City State (4-6, 4-3 in 2013)

The Vikings will look to rebound from a disappointing 2013 season which saw them start the season 0-4. To their credit they rebounded to win four of their last six. Head coach Waverly Tillar year in and year out has the toughest schedule in the conference and this year is no different. Three of the Vikings first four games are on the road with the opening game at FCS opponent North Carolina Central, two weeks later at Benedict and the next week opening CIAA play at Winston-Salem State. Tusculum comes to ECSU in week two. Seven starters return on offense led by running back Pete Boney who rushed for 957 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago. Tyrell Houghton returns at quarterback after starting the last five games for the Vikings in 2013, completing 60 percent of his passes for 1,381 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He will have his favorite target Antonio Huff who led the team in receptions (44) and will also be dangerous in the kick return game where he averaged 17.4 yards per punt return and 24.7 yards per kick return. The defense is led by preseason All-CIAA selection defensive back Corey Davis but will need to improve after giving up 413 yards per game last season.

The Vikings will travel to Durham, NC on Saturday for a 5 pm kickoff against the Eagles of North Carolina Central University.

Bowie State (5-5, 3-4 in 2013)

The last couple of years, Bowie State has gotten off to solid starts but somewhere in the middle of the season it's gone south. Last year was no different as the Bulldogs started 2-1, but then lost their next four. They rebounded to win three-straight to end the season and look to carry that momentum into 2014. Seven starters return on offense led by running back Keith Brown one of the best running backs in the CIAA who rushed for 1,132 yards, 5.1 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns. He is also a threat to catch the football out of the backfield as he did 27 times last year. Trevon Bennett will take over at quarterback, but had limited experience in 2013, playing in four games and starting one. The Bulldogs also return seven starters on defense led by defensive back Curtis Pumphrey, an All-CIAA selection his first two seasons in the league, who picked off five passes. Defensive end Anthony McDaniel, who registered eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss last year, will also be key.

Bowie State hosts Saint Anselm in Bowie, Maryland for Community/BSU Faculty and Staff Day with a 1 pm kickoff on Saturday. Live statistics for the game can be seen at: http://www.sidearmstats.com/bowie/football/

Chowan (4-6, 3-4 in 2013)

Chowan had the elements coming into 2013 to perhaps win the Northern Division. The Hawks ended up finishing below .500. An era also came to an end last year as wide receiver Robert Holland, who was first team All-CIAA all four years with CU and will go down as one of the greatest receivers in CIAA history, has graduated. Also gone is quarterback Cameron Stover who missed the last five games of the season due to injury. Still head coach Tim Place has some talent returning on the offensive side of the ball. Running backs DaSean Martin and Anthony Clanton combined to rush for 801 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Quarterback Dain McFarland showed some grit and promise last year throwing for 777 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He'll have a couple of capable receivers in Ryan Nolan and Antjuan Randall who combined collected 40 receptions for 570 yards, averaging 14.3 yards per receptions and six touchdowns. The biggest problem for the Hawks has been defense and last year the Hawks gave up 438 yards per game, which was next to last in the league. Defensive back Jared Turner (five interceptions, 44 tackles) is good, but he's going to need some help.

Chowan will open the season after unveiling renovations and upgrades to Garrison Stadium against Fayetteville State on Saturday at 7 pm.

Virginia Union (3-7, 3-4 in 2013)

It's a new era in Richmond. Mark James takes over the reins at his alma mater after serving as the defensive line coach in 2013. James has his work cut out for him, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Panthers ran the ball reasonably well last year but lose their top two rushers in Eric Shaw and Damon Kelly who combined to rush for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. The passing game was an issue for the Panthers in 2013, averaging less than 100 yards per game. Returning and looking to improve are Shwaheem Dowdy and Kenneth Graham. Florida A&M transfer Dane James will also be in the mix. Defensively, the Panthers lost some players who were productive in 2013, but the line should be solid led by defensive end Robert Jackson (five sacks, 10 tackles for loss in 2013).

The Panthers host Siena Heights (Mich.) on Saturday at noon.

Lincoln (1-9, 0-7 in 2013)

After defeating Cheyney to start the season, Lincoln lost its last nine games. The Lions were last in the conference in most major categories. LU got its most production last year from its passing game which averaged 202 yards per game. While the numbers were decent for quarterback Doug Cook – 1,814 yards passing, 14 touchdowns, 11 interceptions – they were much lower than any of the numbers he put up the previous two years and he only completed 51 percent of his passes. In all fairness, he had to learn a new offensive scheme and he should be ready to produce like he did his freshman and sophomore years, especially with the likes of All-CIAA wide receiver Akeem Jordan who caught 65 passes for 965 yards and 12 touchdowns. Anthony Green averaged 19.7 yards on his 18 receptions and will be targeted much more this year. For the Lions air attack to work, they must find a ground game. The Lions totaled 585 yards on the ground last year. Defensive back Brion Robinson is a preseason All-CIAA selection but it going to need a lot of help on a defense that gave up a league worst 463 yards per game last year.

The Lincoln Lions will host the 2014 Battle of the Firsts Football Classic against Cheyney at the LU Stadium. The contest will serve as the kickoff of the season on Thursday, September 4 at 7 pm.

SOUTHERN DIVISION

Winston-Salem State (10-2, 7-0 in 2013)

The Kienus Boulware era begins for the Rams. First team All-CIAA performer Rudy Johnson returns for his senior season after leading the league in completion percentage (63 percent), passing yards (2,401) and touchdowns (25). Former University of Alabama and University of Virginia transfer Phillip Sims will challenge for the starting spot. Running back Maurice Lewis returns for his senior season after rushing for 902 yards, 5.1 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, The Rams ranked No. 1 in the country last year, but will need to look to fill the shoes of leader and two-time BOXTOROW All-American linebacker Carlos Fields. Still, the Rams return key starters on defense from a year ago. Preseason All-CIAA selections linebacker Casey Davenport (34 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks), safety Danny Bunn (30 tackles) and defensive back Everett Proctor along with defensive back Larry Hearne (three interceptions) will by key to the Rams defense.

Winston-Salem State will host UNC Pembroke on Saturday in Bowman Gray Stadium at 6 pm.

Fayetteville State (6-4, 5-2 in 2013)

Fayetteville State returns 64 players who made contributions from a team that finished a surprising 6-4, 5-2 in the league last year. Junior Derek Bryant took over at quarterback in the fourth game of the season and finished the season completing 56 percent of his passes, averaging 238 passing yards per game with 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions. The wide receiver core will receive a boost with the return of Kasunn Williams who missed the last three games due to injury. Williams is a big-play receiver who had 17 receptions for 502 yards averaging close to 30 yards per receptions with four touchdowns. The Broncos boast a solid offensive line led by 6'5" 350-pound guard Marcus Reed, a preseason All-CIAA selection. Andre Montgomery is a big running back at 5'11" 222 pounds and usually breaks the first tackle. He averaged five yards per carry and is expected to play more of a role in the offense. Defensively, the Broncos gave up close to 400 yards per game in 2013. But those numbers can be a little misleading. The Broncos ranked first in the nation in turnover margin (1.9) and were third in the conference in interceptions (18). The leader of the defense is one of the most dynamic players in the conference in free safety Michael Johnson. Johnson registered 65 tackles (40 solo), five interceptions and eight pass breakups.

The Broncos will travel to Murfreesboro, NC on Saturday for a non-conference matchup against Chowan. Kickoff is slated for 7 pm.

Shaw (6-4, 4-3 in 2013)

Shaw will be an improved team in 2013. It will be hard to replace cornerback Darnell Evans, the BOXTOROW National Defensive Player of the Year. Evans was Mr. Everything, snagging 11 interceptions and breaking up 10 passes as well as his kick return exploits which netted him All-CIAA honors in 2013. The defensive line will be improved led by Evan Strange who registered 8.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and 48 tackles (32 solo). The Bears have perhaps the best offensive player in the conference in running back Marquise Grizzle, who led the league with 1,276 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Trevius Folston will take over at quarterback and played well towards the latter part of last season when Quinshon Odom went down, throwing seven touchdowns and just two interceptions in five games.

The Bears of Shaw will travel to Miles on Saturday for a 7 pm start.

Johnson C. Smith (5-5, 2-5 in 2013)

After winning four of its first five games last year including a victory over FCS opponent Davidson, the Golden Bulls lost four of their last five games. There were much higher expectations for JCSU last season. Hopes are still high for the Golden Bulls coming into the season. Quarterback Keahn Wallace returns for his senior season after a decent 2013 which saw him complete 62 percent of his passes for 1,950 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Wallace has been one of the league's best players over the last three years. His -23 yards rushing last year was a career-low and in stark contrast to his 473 yards rushing his rookie year. He has become more of a pocket passer the last couple of years, but look for him to get out of the pocket a bit this year. Wide receiver Fred Scott will be Wallace's main target with the departure of leading receiver Chris Patterson. Still, Scott had a very good season in 2013 catching 51 passes for 663 yards and five touchdowns. LeAnder Barney returns as the featured back after amassing 585 yards on 130 carries and seven touchdowns. But the production of the offense will depend on how quickly the offensive line can gain chemistry after JCSU lost three starters from last year. Defensively, the Golden Bulls must improve after giving up close to 400 yards per game last year. Defensive end Jovontay Williams was a first team All-CIAA selection last year after accumulating 12.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and 31 tackles (20 solo). Linebacker Anthony Allen is also a bright spot having made 55 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks last year.

Johnson C. Smith will travel across town for a local contest in Jerry Richardson Stadium on the campus of UNC-Charlotte. The 12 noon game will have live coverage on WCCB Charlotte and WFNZ 610AM.

Saint Augustine's (4-6, 3-4 in 2013)

Defense has been the staple of Saint Aug's teams in Michael Costa's 12 years as head coach. Defense will again be key, but the Falcons have some offensive weapons that will give them a nice balance. Quarterback A.J. Gilford enters his sophomore year coming off an up and down freshman season. He showed flashes of brilliance for example, throwing for 217 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against FCS opponent North Carolina Central. Conversely against Stillman, Gilford completed less than 50 percent of his passes for 162 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. With a year under his belt, he should be improved. Gilford won't have to shoulder the load with Roderick Davenport in the backfield (112 carries, 451 yards, four yards per carry, three touchdowns). Defensively, the Falcons will miss four-year All-CIAA linebacker Chaz Robinson and BOXTOROW All-American defensive end Shonquez Nelson, but will look to new leadership in linebacker Carlton Butts (56 tackles). Nigel Crawford-Kinney (39 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks) is a stud and will anchor the defensive line.

The Falcons will travel north on Saturday for a 12 noon contest against Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Livingstone (3-7, 1-6 in 2013)

Despite its 3-7 record in 2013, Livingstone is a program headed in the right direction under second-year head coach Darryl Williams. The Blue Bears have two of the top players in the conference on either side of the ball in quarterback Drew Powell and first team All-CIAA linebacker Kenneth White. Powell, who enters his junior season, has been one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. He completed 54 percent of his passes for 2,127 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also has the ability to run with the ball picking up another 620 yards and four touchdowns. With Powell, the Blue Bears have a chance to win games. Powell's favorite target will be Jalen Hendricks who caught 47 passes for 544 yards and six touchdowns. The defense will be led by White. White led Livingstone with 100 tackles (55 solo). He also registered five sacks, 12 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries. Also watch for defensive lineman Hillman Evans to have a breakout senior season after registering 54 tackles and 5.5 sacks last year.

The Blue Bears will join The Lincoln University with a Thursday night game. Livingstone will travel to Millersville, Pa for a 6 pm game in the Biemesderfer Stadium against Millersville.