LUT WILLIAMS BCSP Editor

DOCTOR VS DOCTOR

THE DOCTORS HAVE IT: Dr. Henry Frazier’s (l.) Virginia State Trojans face Dr. Alvin Parker’s (r.) Virginia Union Panthers Saturday for the CIAA North Division title.

The final week of regular season play in the CIAA and SIAC is upon us. Results from this Saturday will determine the final match ups in next week’s league championship games.

CIAA

Defending league champion Fayetteville State with a 7-0 mark in conference play is in as the South Division’s representative in the Nov. 11 CIAA Championship Game at Salem Stadium in Salem, Va.

The Broncos’ opponent will be the winner of Saturday’s 1 p.m. North Division showdown between Virginia Union and Virginia State at VUU’s Hovey Field.

VUU and VSU come in with identical 8-1 overall and all-important 6-1 conference records. VUU’s loss was to Fayetteville State 10-7 back on Sept. 23. VSU lost to Elizabeth City State 17-16 on Oct. 21.

The teams of Dr. Henry Frazier III (VSU) and Dr. Alvin Parker (VUU) are pretty evenly matched.

VUU is the highest scoring team in the CIAA at 41.8 points per game with VSU just behind at 39.3 ppg. The Panthers are surrendering a league- best 11.0 points per game. VSU gives up 17.0 ppg., fourth-best in the conference. VUU (229.5 ypg.) and VSU (217.5 ypg.) are 1-2 in rushing stats.

Individually, VUU junior running back Jada Byers leads the league in rushing at 107.8 yards per game and with 14 rushing TDs. Six-two, 215-pound teammate Curtis Allen has run for 692 yards and 8 scores. Kymani Clarke with 703 yards (74.3 ypg.) and 10 TDs leads the VSU rushing attack. VSU QB Jordan Davis (1,230 yds., 153.8 ypg, 60.3%, 11 TDs, 6 ints.) and VUU QB Christian Reid (1,438 yds., 143.9 ypg., 57.7%, 10 TDs, 3 ints.) are fourth and fifth in league passing stats.

SIAC

Defending champion Benedict with an unblemished 7-0 mark in SIAC play has wrapped up one spot in the league’s Nov. 11 Championship Game at Atlanta’s Lakewood Stadium. The Tigers close at home with Allen Saturday (2 p.m.).

The real battle is for the spot opposite Benedict. Heading into play Saturday two teams – 6-1 Tuskegee and Fort Valley State – have one loss in league play, and three teams – Allen, Albany State and Miles have two losses at 5-2. Allen is out of the championship picture.

The key matchups Saturday have Albany State and Fort Valley State doing battle at the Fountain City Classic in Columbus, Ga. (2 p.m. on ESPN+) and Miles hosting Tuskegee at 4 p.m. in Fairfield, Ala.

Here are the scenarios to earn the championship game spot opposite Benedict based on a story from Clutch Sports.

Tuskegee: First-year head coach Aaron James’ Golden Tigers automatically secure a return to the championship game for the second year in a row with a win over rival Miles.

Fort Valley State: The Wildcats need to beat rival Albany State in the Fountain City Classic and for Miles to beat Tuskegee.

Albany State: Miles needs to beat Tuskegee for the Golden Ram’s chances to be alive. Albany also must defeat Fort Valley State in the Fountain City Classic.

MEAC

2022 co-champions NC Central (over SC State) and Howard (over Delaware State) both moved to 2-0 in the MEAC Saturday. NCCU has its homecoming Saturday (3:30 p.m.) vs. Norfolk State while Howard is at SC State’s homecoming (1:30 p.m.). NCCU and Howard are looking to stay on course for their meeting next week (Nov. 11) in Washington, DC.

SWAC

With Florida A&M already in with the East Division title, the battle in the SWAC is in the West. Alcorn State and Southern are currently tied atop the division with 4-1 records as they meet.

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