Separating pretenders from contenders
LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
Bowie State
in the East and Fayetteville State in the West entered the season as two
of the prime candidates to unseat Va. Union and WSSU from their respective
places atop the CIAA landscape. This weekend's matchups are their chance
to prove they deserved that billing.
BSU, under third-year head coach Henry Frazier, was expected to ride a strong defense to its challenge of VUU. That much has borne itself out as the Bulldog unit is allowing a league-best 12.6 points per game and tops the conference in total defense (213.8 ypg.). The problem has been on offense where they are averaging just 20.8 points per game.
They will face Willard Bailey's Panther squad that is fresh off a thrilling, last-second, 18-15 win over WSSU. VUU is led by quarterback Cordell Roane and the running of Larry Edwards.
PREDICTION: Bowie State has a great shot if they can keep the Panthers from getting a big lead. Playing at home the Bulldogs prevail, 18-15.
Head coach Kenny Phillips and his FSU Broncos have picked up where they left off last season when they established themselves as a team to be reckoned with in the West. But their three victories and league-leading 33.5 points per game so far have been racked up against teams with a combined 0-13 record. The nationally televised battle with WSSU (on MBC and the CIAA syndicated network) should determine whether they are contenders or pretenders.
Their task will be to slow down Kermit Blount's ball-control offense which features leading CIAA rusher Willie Byrd (120 ypg.) and QB Joshua McGhee. Phillips' defense must also create opportunities for the offense guided by Te'Mon Wallace (169 passing ypg.) and starring multi-talented wide receiver/kick returner, Elliot London (21 rec., 269 yds., 3 TDs).
PREDICTION: Phillips has his guys poised to take the next step. They will, downing the Rams 24-14.
MEAC
Pough and the Bulldogs of S. C. State look about as ready as any to challenge
FAMU's MEAC supremacy.
They are sporting one of the hottest QBs in the conference in junior, Reese McCampbell. The slim signal-caller (5-11, 180) is leading the conference in rushing (110.2 ypg.) while passing for another 138 yards per game to place among the league's total offense leaders. But the Bulldogs will be missing a chief weapon, running back Derek Watson, who has been suspended from the team following his arrest on a traffic violation.
The Bulldog defense is also playing well, giving up just 240 yards and 11.5 points per game.
But holding the Rattlers down won't be easy. FAMU has not missed a beat since starting quarterback Casey Printers went out with an ankle injury two weeks ago. Back-up Reggie Hayes has stepped right in and led the Rattlers to two victories. Printers is expected to return for Saturday's game but he may be being rushed back. That could play into SCSU's hands.
PREDICTION: Pough is getting a chance early in his career to get SCSU back into the upper echelon of the MEAC. The loss of Watson will hurt his chances but the cards look to be falling in his favor. In an upset special, the Bulldogs shock FAMU in Tallahassee, 32-25.
© 2002 Azeez Communications, Inc.