As the final month of the season approaches, the top teams will look to crank out some gritty victories and hopefully secure a spot in the 2024 CIAA football championship.
Shaw @ Johnson C. Smith (1:00 P.M.)
The CIAA’s lone undefeated team enjoyed a bye last week and are back in action this week, as they play host to Shaw, who are coming off an 18-point victory over Bluefield State. The Golden Bulls will look to inch closer to a spot in this year’s football championship and will do so against a familiar foe, as the two teams have faced off each of the last 14 seasons, with the Bears holding a 9-5 advantage in those games.
Bluefield State @ Bowie State (1:00 P.M.)
A pair of 1-5 teams will fave off this weekend, as Bluefield State heads to Bowie State. Both teams have dropped 3+ straight and will look to get back to the win column. Both squads faced off for the first time last season, which saw the Bulldogs come out on top, 40-11.
Virginia Union @ Lincoln (PA) (1:00 P.M.)
The reigning champions have won three straight and will look to keep the streak going, as they head to Lincoln University (PA), who went off for 37 points en route to their first victory of the season last week. The Panthers are on the road for the first time in a month which may play to the Lions’ advantage, as they got their first win at home last week and the Panthers have struggled on the road this season (1-2).
Virginia State @ Elizabeth City State (1:00 P.M.)
Following a homecoming victory, Virginia State looks to climb above .500, as they take on Elizabeth City State, who’ve dropped three straight. The two teams are no strangers to each other, as they’ve gone to battle 14 times since 2008, with the Trojans holding a heavy 11-3 advantage, despite the Vikings’ 17-16 victory last season.
Winston-Salem State @ Livingstone (4:00 P.M.)
A game with potential huge championship implications will cap the week seven slate, as Livingstone hosts Winston-Salem State. The rivalry game should be an exciting one, as the Blue Bears and Rams rank third and fourth in the conference standings, respectively, both boasting 3-1 conference records and both are 5-2 overall. The rivalry, for the most part, has been one-sided with WSSU winning 11 of the last 13 games they’ve played, however LC has won the last two.
