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boxtorow.com”;
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[/insert_php]Over the last 10 years, the CIAA has risen to the level as one of the better conferences in football. Known more for its basketball prowess and popular CIAA Tournament, the conference has seen multiple teams participate in postseason play in any given year. Previously in some years, the league would not get a team into postseason play.
In 2006 and 2011, the league had two teams participate in the national playoffs. In 2012, Winston-Salem State participated in the Division II national championship game. And in 2015, the conference received two at-large berths to the national playoffs; one of those berths did not include the conference’s champion Winston-Salem State.
The future of football in the CIAA looks strong. But the impending 2016 season is ripe with changes including five new head coaches and a wave of younger head coaches.
2015 was a history-making year which saw the Northern Division dominate the regular season, with four of the six teams finishing with winning records. Winston-Salem State rebounded from a slow start to win its third CIAA championship in the last four seasons that a championship game has been played.
Who will win the championship this year? BOXTOROW gives it annual preseason predictions in the BOXTOROW predicted order of finish.
Northern Division
Bowie State (9-3, 7-0)
There is so much talent returning to most of the squads in the north and even with Virginia State and Elizabeth City State adding veteran coaches with talent returning, it’s hard to go against last years Northern Division champs. After seven seasons as the head football coach at Bowie State, Damon Wilson was finally able to get his Bulldogs over the hump by winning the North last year. Something was bound to be different about last year’s team after going 4-1 midway through the season, its only loss coming at the hands of FCS opponent Central Connecticut 21-14. At about midway through the season, the Bulldogs faced some adversity when one of the nation’s preeminent quarterbacks, Matt Goggans, who averaged 312 yards passing per game and threw for 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions, was deemed ineligible for the rest of the season. Nyema Washington emerged as the leader and in five games through for 992 yards, completing 60 percent of his passes for 992 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Washington returns for his senior season. His primary target will be BOXTOROW All-American wide receiver Nyme Manns, who caught 82 passes for 1,104 yards and 13 touchdowns. While the Bulldogs lose the services of running back Kendall Jefferson, BSU will continue to be strong upfront led by first team All-CIAA offensive lineman Justin Nestor. He will help to create holes for Robert Chesson who received limited carries last year (40-214-0), but played in 11 games. While eight starters return on defense, it will be hard to replace BOXTOROW All-Americans defensive back Curtis Pumphrey and defensive lineman Anthony McDaniel. Returning however is the anchor of the defense, first team All-CIAA linebacker Kevaugn Townsend who recorded 79 tackles (42 solo). Fellow linebacker Kyle Jackson put up some solid numbers last year recording 53 tackles (32 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries. Also defensive back Quinton Jordan had a solid freshman campaign which saw him record four interceptions and five pass breakups, as well as defensive linemen Sean Copeland (48 tackles) and Heleaince Gates (12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, six forced fumbles).
Virginia Union (8-3, 6-1)
Mark James’ first two years as head coach at Virginia Union have gone extremely well. The previous years saw the Panthers marred in mediocrity. James is 15-6 including an 8-3 record last year and a postseason berth to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 1991. The Panthers will be well balanced on both sides of the ball this year. Defensively, the Panthers ranked No. 2 in Division II last year in total defense (239.5). And while rushing was an issue for teams last year (opponents only averaged 82.1), the Panthers return their top two pass rushers as well who will give opponents fits when throwing the football. All-CIAA defensive ends Miles Pace and Paulin Miano created havoc for quarterbacks last year and both return for their senior seasons. Pace had 10 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in six games before going down with injury. Miano was steady all season long recording 10 sacks and 25 tackles for loss and finished second in the country in tackles for loss per game (2.3). All-CIAA defensive back Rodeshawn Joseph returns for his senior year after recording five interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2015. The Panthers should be just as potent offensively with the return of second team All-CIAA quarterback Shawheem Dowdy and All-CIAA running back Hakeem Holland. Dowdy completed 57 percent of his passes last year for 2,410 yards with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Holland enters his sophomore campaign after rushing for 1,040 yards, 5.9 yards per carry and 10 touchdowns, in addition to being a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield (10-194-1). Establishing the offensive line will be key for the Panthers with the loss of All-CIAA performers Addison Hayes and Dehon Taylor. The play of Abraham Garcia will be key as he was named to the All-CIAA preseason team.
Virginia State (6-4, 4-3)
Virginia State will begin 2016 with its third head coach in the last three seasons. Reggie Barlow’s had success as an assistant and head coach at his Alma Mater Alabama State. Barlow, a former NFL player and Super Bowl champion, worked with Super Bowl champion quarterback Tarvaris Jackson while the quarterbacks coach at Alabama State. Barlow steps into a solid situation both offensively and defensively. One of the issues however is that he was hired after spring ball, so he will have to rely on what he has seen on film and the short summer practice. But if last year is any indication he will have plenty to work with. Quarterback Tarian Ayres returns for his senior year. Ayres had a subpar season last year completing 55 percent of his passes for 1,423 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions; a far cry from his sophomore campaign when he threw for 2,132 yards, 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions in helping lead the Trojans to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. Ayres is also a threat to run the football. Speaking of running, the Trojans also have the best one-two running back combination in the league in Trenton Cannon and Kavon Bellamy. Cannon was second in the CIAA in rushing last year with 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Bellamy rushed for 640 yards, six touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry in eight games. The Trojans led the conference in rushing with close to 221 yards per game last year. The Trojans were sound defensively last year and led the conference in points given up per game last year (18.9) and was second against the run (90.8). Preseason All-CIAA selection Geo Feggins, who recorded 78 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks, returns to anchor the defense.
Chowan (6-4, 4-3)
The Hawks finished a program best 6-4 last year including a big win over FCS opponent Delaware State on the road. The Hawks were eight points away from winning the Northern Division crown. In the eight years under head coach Tim Place, the Hawks have generally been near the top of the conference offensively and at the bottom defensively. In 2015, the Hawks were seventh offensively. But they have some firepower returning. Running back Tyree Lee was one of the top running backs in the conference last year, rushing for 1,049 yards, 4.8 yards per carry and 12 touchdowns on his way to second team All-CIAA honors. Randall Dixon returns at quarterback after completing 57 percent of his passes for 1,313 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Jordan Watkins also returns and showed that he is a very capable backup having completed 67 percent of his passes for 592 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions, where he started the last three games of the season and won two of them. The Hawks top two receivers return in wide receiver Kaine Lombard and Lee who combined for 77 receptions 976 yards and 10 touchdowns. Where defense had been an issue over the years, the Hawks finished fifth in total defense last year. Leading tackler linebacker Demetrius Newberry (61 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss) and defensive lineman Nate Wyche (10 tackles for loss, six sacks) return to anchor the defense.
Elizabeth City State (4-5, 2-5)
After 13 seasons as its head football coach, ECSU fired head coach Waverly Tillar who still had two years remaining on his contract. Tillar never won a CIAA title, but led the Vikings to three CIAA championship game appearances, two NCAA playoff berths and a 69-68 overall record. Enter Earnest Wilson, a well-respected coach who had begun to make improvements within the Savannah State program before he left to take the position at ECSU. Wilson was hired just in time to be able to evaluate the ECSU spring game. Wilson indicated that Tillar had done a “good job” with the program and that the cupboard is not bare. The entire offensive line returns led by senior Brian Wells. ECSU was fifth in the conference in total offense per game (366.8). As a matter of fact, nine starters return on offense. The signal caller is Daquan Neal who returns for his junior year. Neal showed some promise last year, throwing for 1,754 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also led the Vikings in rushing touchdowns (7), while rushing for 265 yards. Neal does lose his three leading receivers, but All-CIAA tight end Victor Tabs returns and Wilson likes James Roe to have a breakout season. Josh Joyner, who only played in five games and carried the ball 46 times for 199 yards will be the featured back. The defense will have to improve as it ranked 10th in the league, giving up 353.7 yards per game.
Lincoln (3-7, 1-6)
Last year started out promising for the Lions who have not had a winning season since rejoining the CIAA in 2009. The Lions started out 2-0, won three of its first four, and then lost the last six. Injuries on the offensive line really hampered the Lions, more specifically in the passing game, where Lions quarterbacks were sacked 27 times. The one constant was that of running back Stephen Scott. Scott was a workhorse who carried the ball a league high 304 times and led the conference in rushing (1,258) and rushed for 10 touchdowns. Even with all of the carries, he did not lose a single fumble. Redshirt freshman quarterback Justin White had an “excellent” spring according to head coach Herb Pickens and is the starter going into summer camp. Pickens is also high on dual threat signee Jason Epps from Bowie (Md.) High School who at 6-4, 200 through for 2,907 yards and 33 touchdowns. Defense must improve as the Lions gave up close to 400 yards per game, last in the CIAA. The numbers are a little misleading because the Lions were the best in the conference against the pass (157.9) but the worst against the run (236.5).
Southern Division
Winston-Salem State (6-5, 5-2)
Third-year head coach Kienus Boulware has done a solid job at Winston-Salem State. After going 9-2 and losing to Virginia State in the CIAA championship game in 2014, the Rams got off to a 1-4 start last year. Boulware and his staff continued to work hard and turned things around as the Rams won their next three, were surprised on Homecoming by a Shaw team that beat the Rams in overtime, then defeated Fayetteville State 24-22 the next week to win the Southern Division crown and beat a favored Bowie State team 17-14 in the CIAA championship game on a Will Johnson 23-yard field goal with two seconds remaining. That was just the kind of season 2015 was for the Rams. Boulware and the Rams hope things are a little smoother this year as they return eight starters on offense and nine on defense from last year’s championship team. Last year, the Rams played 14 true freshmen and those freshmen grew up fast. Quarterback Rod Tinsley grew up during his freshman campaign, completing 51 percent of his passes for 1,381 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He saved his best for last in the championship game completing 15-of-27 passes for 175 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions on his way to being named the game’s MVP. In the backfield he’ll hand the ball to Xavier Quick, the Rams second leading rusher last year who rushed for 320 yards and three touchdowns. Tinsley and Quick will play behind an experienced offensive line anchored by first team All-CIAA performer Jac’Que Polite and preseason All-CIAA selection Tim Samuels. The Rams lose their two leading receivers in Marcel Carver and Rashan Williams and will rely on William Belcher who had 18 receptions last year. The Rams traditionally have had good defenses under Boulware, even when he was the defensive coordinator, but it took some time for the defense to gel last year. The Rams will have to improve their pass defense which gave up close to 203 yards per game, 11th in the league.
Livingstone (5-4, 4-3)
To say that Livingstone had a disappointing season last year considering that the Blue Bears finished 5-4 is almost an oxymoron. Prior to the start of the 2015 season, Livingstone had won a total of 10 games in the previous 10 years. Fourth-year head coach Daryl Williams is 10-9 in his last two seasons and has generated some excitement in the program. The Blue Bears put together a winning season for the first time in 17 years. So when the Blue Bears were picked to finish seventh in the conference this year, let’s just say Williams wasn’t happy. “We’re not a one-hit wonder. Obviously it was a mistake. Somebody didn’t get the memo. We have a chance to straighten it out.” Gone is one of the best and most prolific quarterbacks in CIAA history Drew Powell who was named the CIAA Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 2,166 yards and rushing for another 614 yards and eight touchdowns. Gone is wide receiver Jalen Hendricks who had 69 catches for 872 yards and nine touchdowns. The Blue Bears will have five quarterbacks in camp and according to Williams, “If I was a betting man, I’m betting the head coach who coaches the quarterbacks will have the quarterbacks right.” Defenses will get a dose of Jarius Richardson the returning leading rusher who carried the ball 139 times for 575 yards and dive touchdowns. Junior linebacker Demarcus Nolan returns after leading the team in tackles (60) and recording 7.5 tackles for loss. Defensive lineman Armond Cox recorded 51 tackles (28 solo), 15.5 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries as a freshman last year. Quietly, Livingstone had one of the best defenses in the national last year finishing 15th in total defense (307.2).
Johnson C. Smith (4-6, 3-4)
The Golden Bulls surprised some folks in Kermit Blount’s first year at the helm. JCSU won three of its last four games, including a 37-20 victory over Fayetteville State. Seven starters return on the defensive side of the ball, which was solid for the Golden Bulls last year. Safety Carlo Thomas had a sensational season on his way to being named to the BOXTOROW All-America Team. Thomas led the nation with 12 interceptions, including four in the victory over Fayetteville State, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He recorded 55 tackles (42 solo), nine pass break-ups and three tackles for loss. The play of the defense led by Thomas will have to be key as the offense struggled last year. Jordan Lane and Harold Herbin split time last year combining to complete just 46 percent of their passes for 1,440 yards, 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Both were freshmen last year and were thrown in the fire so look for both of them to be better this year. Desean Binyard will carry the bulk of the running back duties after rushing for 445 yards as a freshman last year.
Fayetteville State (4-6, 4-3)
For the last three years, the Broncos have been in the hunt for the Southern Division crown on the last day of the regular season and have fallen to Winston-Salem State all three times. The program seemed to be headed in the right direction but not good enough for FSU brass who relieved Lawrence Kershaw of his duties. Enter Richard Hayes who is getting his first opportunity as a head coach and is very excited about the opportunity. Hayes has had wealth of experience on the collegiate level at North Carolina A&T and the last six years at Winston-Salem State where he served as defensive coordinator last year. Hayes will have his work cut out for him as there are many holes to fill. Gone are All-CIAA wide receivers Tavon Gatlin and Chris Hubert – currently with the Arizona Cardinals – who combined for 117 receptions for 1,589 yards and 24 touchdowns as well as quarterback Derek Bryant who threw for 2,352 yards and 25 touchdowns. The defensive improvement with the program was ongoing and should grow by leaps and bounds this year under Hayes. The secondary will be strong with preseason All-CIAA selections strong safety Travis Scales and cornerback Eric Henderson. Darius Jeffers should also be key at the other corner spot having picked off three passes last year. Offensively, DeMarius Davis took all of the reps at quarterback in spring practice. Junior college transfer Deven Lutson will compete for the job. Tony Credle, Stevie Green and veteran Darreall Hamlett (5.2 yards per carry) will handle the running back duties. The offensive line will be young.
Shaw (1-9, 1-6)
Shaw had by far its worse season since it revitalized football in 2002. After four seasons, Robert Massey was let go and enter Adrian Jones who the Triangle area is very familiar with. He is a graduate of North Carolina Central, was an assistant coach at NCCU when the Eagles won back-to-back CIAA championships in 2005 and 2006, spent seven years as the head coach at Southern High School in Durham, leading them to the championship title in 2013 before returning to NCCU where he spent the last two years helping the Eagles to back-to-back MEAC Co-Championships. Jones is a winner and his winning ways should have an impact on the program immediately. He will certainly have his work cut out for him, however. The Bears will implore a 4-2-5 defense which will make them extremely fast. Defensive tackle Dwight Campbell, who was third on the team with 54 tackles and recorded 10.5 tackles for loss, will anchor the defensive line. Cornerback Bruce Parker, Jr. is one of the more underrated defensive backs in the league and will look to play a much bigger role in the secondary after finishing 2015 with five interceptions and five pass breakups. Offensively, the quarterback position will be a battle between Carlos Quintero, Darren Downing and Timothy Abbott. Neither of them took a snap last season. Whoever takes the snaps, the one person they can rely on is wide receiver Trevante Long who caught 51 passes for 601 yards and three touchdowns last season. None of the running backs took a snap for the Bears last year, but look for Rahim Winston, Jr. and Joshua Edwards to be called upon. Also Tevin Perry is a newcomer from Bunn (N.C.) High School and like BOXTOROW All-American running back Tarik Cohen of North Carolina A&T is built like Cohen; low to the ground, but fast and tough. He rushed for 2,3336 yards and 29 touchdowns last year.
Saint Augustine’s (1-9, 1-6)
The last three seasons have been difficult and full of transition for the Falcons. In 2014, SAU fired Michael Costa, the only coach is had known since bringing the program back in 2002, one game into the season. Michael Morand finished the season out on an interim basis, was given the job prior to the 2015 season, but was then put on administrative leave two weeks into last season. Now Tim Chavous enters his first full season as the head coach after coaching the Falcons in their final eight games on an interim basis last season. Chavous is very upbeat after having been thrown into the fire last season. He’s had an off-season to evaluate the program. Quarterbacks Julius Murphy and D.J. Johnson return and will have to improve upon last year’s numbers which saw them combine to complete just 49 percent of their passes for 835 yards with three touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The offensive line must improve as Rodney Davenport, who was an All-CIAA running back in 2014 and rushed for over 1,000 yards, rushed for just 627 yards and averaged only 3.5 yards per carry. SAU was blanked in three games last season. The Falcons will have to be better defensively after giving up 379 yards and 36.3 points per game. They have some talent on that side of the ball. Defensive back Darius Cole had a solid rookie campaign and was among the league leaders with five interceptions. The defensive line will be the strength of the defense. Defensive end Darius Goodman registered 14.5 tackles for loss last year. The Falcons will switch from a 3-4 to 4-3 scheme which puts Chris Roberts back at his natural defensive end position where he has had 24.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in his previous two seasons. Defensive tackle Chasz Cosby also returns and was the team’s second leading tackler with 55 tackles (29 solo) and 7.5 tackles for loss.
