Previews arranged in HBCSports Press Association predicted order of finish
All coaches interviews done by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW host Donal Ware

EASTERN DIVISION

Virginia Union (9-3, 6-1)
Former defensive coordinator Greg Richardson takes over as head coach for a team that returns 10 starters on each side of the ball from a team that posted its best season in 15 years. For the Panthers, everything starts with preseason All-Conference QB Lamar Little. The left-handed junior returns after leading the league with 2,340 yards, 28 TDs and 12 interceptions while completing 50% of his passes. He also finished as the league’s tenth-leading rusher, amassing 513 yards and nine TDs. Two of the CIAA’s best receivers return in seniors Jarad (Phillip) Taylor (42 catches, 703 yards, 10 TDs) and Michael Hampton (37-746-4). When you include seniors Steven Miller (23-438-7) and Terence Cunningham (17-282-6) VUU returns their top four pass-catchers from a season ago. And if that weren’t enough, junior Tarian Donaldson (111 carries, 698 yards, 7 TDs) returns as the starting RB after serving as Elihu Smith’s key backup last season. The entire offensive line returns, including preseason All-CIAA members Kynneth Moses and LaQuentin Blair. A trio of junior LBs who have started since their freshman year will pace the defensive unit. Hurley Hemphill led the team in tackles in 2007 with 97, followed closely by Stevie Johnson (88) and Brandon Smith (84). The trio combined for 28.5 tackles for loss (22.5 by Smith), 12.5 sacks (all by Smith), three interceptions and three forced fumbles). Reginald Smalls (50 tackles, 5.5 sacks, forced fumble) an Jerrin Jones lead the defensive line while 2007 CIAA defensive rookie of the year Andre LeBlanc II and junior CBs Niles Rainey and Levon Hyatt return as starters in the secondary.

Bowie State (3-7, 3-4)
The Bulldogs look to bounce back from a disappointing 2007 season, but it won’t be easy, as they’ll look to get off to a fast start while playing their first five games on the road. No doubt they’ll be anxious to see Lincoln (PA), reviving their program after nearly 40 years, when they play in the Prince George’s Classic on Oct. 4 not far from BSU’s campus. The Bulldogs return nine starters on offense, led by senior QB Jason Scott who finished fifth in the conference last year with 109.6 yards per game through the air (to go with a total of 6 TDs and 3 ints.), but he’ll need to improve on his 36.7% completion percentage for Bowie State to be successful. Should Scott falter, Xavier Stevens will be waiting in the wings after improving dramatically following offseason workouts with new QB coach Robert Johnson. Senior RB Isaac Redman (157-825-13 TDs) returns to action after playing in just seven games last season. The 230-pound bruiser will team with sophomore Rodney Webb (139-621-3) and senior FB Tristan Martin (33-182-1) to form one of the most potent backfields in the CIAA. Martin and Redman will likely factor into the passing game as well since just one starter, junior Anthony Howe (12-263-2) returns at receiver. The offensive line will be led by returning starters Dwayne Frost, James Hardaway, II and Jerome Baskerville. Bowie State’s defense returns all but one starter and is led by defensive lineman Willie McCordey (18 tackles, 3 sacks). Also back on the line are junior Matthew Rogers, Jr. (20 tackles, blocked kick) and sophomore Alexander Payton (33 tackles, 8 sacks, 3 forced fumbles) while transfers Glen Ford (Texas Southern) and Calvin Johnson (Western Carolina) should also figure into the rotation. Three of last year’s leading tacklers return at LB in sophomores Kyle Jackson (64 tackles, int.), Delano Johnson (48 tackles, sack, int.) and Alvin Cox (32 tackles, 2 sacks). The entire secondary returns in CBs Joe Embree (2 ints.) and Alonzo Marshall (2 ints.) and safeties Terence Peete (46 tackles, 3 ints, forced fumble) and Ricardo Silva (led the team with 69 tackles). The Bulldogs hope freshman kicker Michael Gagne will be skilled enough to allow them flexibility to attempt more than the four field goals they did last season (made one).

Elizabeth City State (5-5, 5-2)
Several starters return to an offensive unit that hopes to improve its conference ranking from 7th a year ago, while the defensive front seven has holes to fill. Among the key returnees on offense is senior QB Curtis Rich, Jr. who passed for more than 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2006 before missing most of last season due to injury. His return should light a spark under an offense that finished eighth in the conference in passing last year. However, Rich will be throwing to a very inexperienced group of receivers as just one player who caught more than five passes, converted QB Sean Thomas (7-43), returns. The Vikings also need to replace Brandon Fields, the second-best running back in the league last season. A pair of 200-plus pound seniors, Joe McClenney (22 carries, 41 yards, 7 TDs) and fullback Sammy Milton (12-50) will carry the load. Fortunately they’ll run behind a veteran line led by senior Chris Lewis and juniors Ernest Gibson and Brian Moore. A number of key players return to a defense that ranked second in the conference last season in terms of total yards allowed. The defensive line returns CIAA All-Rookie selection Malcolm Jenkins (13 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and tackles Todd Irving (38 tackles, 1.5 sacks, fumble recovery) and Chris Osborne (25 tackles, sack, 2 fumble recoveries). They’ll need to be stout up front as all three starting LBs, also the team’s leading tacklers, are gone. Seniors Derek Ortiz (3 tackles) and Terence Williams (1 tackle) and junior Torrey Nowell will have their hands full attempting to fill the void left by Jeremy Carthen, Karl Wimberly and Charles McEachin who combined for 233 tackles, three sacks and five interceptions a year ago. The secondary should be strong with Justin Hamilton (22 tackles, CIAA-best 4 ints.), Rod Jones (47 tackles, 2 ints., forced fumble) and Lorenzo Lovely (7 tackles). Punter/kicker Daniel Mendez returns for the special teams.

Virginia State (4-6, 3-4)
The Trojans enter the 2008 campaign needing to replace eleven starters, including QB Michael Terry, RB Travis Valentine and LB Deonta Gail, but also return plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. Sophomore and former defensive back Michael Pegues will attempt to replace Terry at QB after a strong showing at the position during spring practice. However, coach Andrew Faison says that, should he struggle this fall, a pair of incoming freshmen could push him for playing time. Fortunately for VSU Nick Fleming (159-803-4 TDs) returns at RB after finishing last season as the conference’s third-leading rusher. Whether its Pegues or one of the freshmen under center, several receivers return for the Trojans including junior Davian Richards (team-leading 34 catches, 469 yards, 8 TDs) whose stats rated him the second best in the CIAA in 2007. Also back are sophomores Antoine Morton (16-190-2) and Brandon Crump (12-212-1) and junior TE Jerome Choice (second on the team with 18-289-4). Four starters return to the offensive line including juniors Travis Amos and Antonio Redd. Defensively key players return at every position, starting with the line where three starters return--sophomore Brandon Fortune (59 tackles, 6 sacks), and juniors DaShaun Chester (26 tackles, 3 sacks) and Chris Sivels (11 tackles, sack). They’ll be backed by an experienced group of LBs led by sophomore LaQuentin Milo (62 tackles, forced fumble), Isaac Mitchell (65 tackles, sack, forced fumble) and Matthew Green (24 tackles, sack). DBs Devon Wiggins (39 tackles, 3 ints. forced fumble) and Andre Lipscomb (39 tackles, 3 ints., forced fumble) also return for the Trojans.

St. Paul’s (5-5, 4-3)
At press time the Tigers had not yet announced/settled on a quarterback, though Jean Dessein (52-118, 681 yards, 4 TDs and 5 Ints.) returns, but whomever lines up under center will have a full stable of running backs to work with. Sophomore Jermaine Williams (91 carries, 445 yards, 2 TDs) leads a group of backs that includes Craig Mangrum, Donta Chestnut and Dewayne Ireland as they attempt to build on the conference’s eighth-ranked rushing offense from a year ago. Unfortunately, they’ll have to do so behind an offensive line consisting of freshmen and sophomores. The defense will be led by lineman Cordero Hooper (58 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles), and preseason All-CIAA selections at linebacker, senior Clinton Gee (57 tackles, 1.5 sacks), and DB, senior Greg Toler (int., 7 pass break ups).

WESTERN DIVISION

Shaw (8-4, 6-1)
The Bears and coach Darrell Asberry return several key starters as they look to build on last year’s success after making their first playoff appearance in program history. Junior Travis Robinson returns at QB after completing 42% of his passes (82-96) for 1,133 yards, eight TDs and ten interceptions. Another year of experience under his belt, along with stiff competition from last year’s key backup Matthew Stevenson, and five other quarterbacks who are in camp, should cause his completion percentage and production to rise. Back at RB are senior fullback Alan Atwater, fourth in the conference with 720 yards and eight TDs on 135 carries, sophomore Raymond Williams (141-621-4) and junior Aaron Ellison (80-388-3), the Bears’ top three rushers from a year ago. Sophomore Mike Brown (33 catches, 334 yards, 3 TDs) and junior James Pettway (23-232) return at receiver while Oliver Pazdry will be counted on to lead the offensive line. On defense, the Bears couldn’t be happier that CIAA Defensive Player of the Year Louis Ellis is back to lead the CIAA’s top-ranked defense. The 6-4, 295 pound senior racked up 65 tackles, including eight sacks and 22.5 behind the line of scrimmage, a season ago and is joined on the line by junior end Kier Moore (45 tackles, 5 sacks, forced fumble). Monte Coleman (60 tackles, 3 sacks) is back at LB while senior Gerard Jones (34 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 ints.) returns to the secondary. Kicker Ryne Powell also returns.

Fayetteville State (4-6, 4-3)
The Broncos return 13 starters from a team that won four of their last six games in 2007 after opening the season with four consecutive losses. Coach Kenny Phillips and staff would no doubt prefer to pick up where they left off. Back for the offense is senior QB Bryan Hardy (54-111, 6 TDs, 4 ints.; 217 rushing yards) who is looking to improve after finishing as the conference’s eighth-best passer a season ago. His main targets are senior Bobby Wilder, 7th in the conference with 429 yards and 3 TDs (26 catches), sophomore Elijah Sessoms (15-168-2) and sophomore TE Darren Obaji (10-93-2). Joining Hardy in the backfield are returning starter at RB Richard Medlin (160-594-3) and sophomore Jarrod Lewis (29-106-1). Center Dillon Kestner returns to lead an inexperienced offensive line. Preseason All-CIAA selection Terrell Allen (72 tackles) returns at LB and is joined by fellow juniors Joel Kuvna (69 tackles, 3 sacks) and Anthony Wall (64 tackles, 5.5 sacks). The Broncos will need the unit to be just as stout, if not moreso, as it was a season ago since only end Eric Conway (64 tackles, 3.5 sacks) returns to the defensive line. The secondary should be solid with CBs Donte’ Wise (27.5 tackles, 3 ints) and John Hicks (36 tackles) back along with safety Jeff Gowdy (50.5 tackles, 4 ints.).

St. Augustine’s (2-8, 2-5)
Though the Falcons struggled in 2007, coach Michael Costa and his team expects success with the return of 20 starters. However, they’ll have to avoid the injuries that plagued them throughout last season. Anthony Brown returns at QB, as do his favorite targets Lendell Bembo, Tim Lovick and Richard Boone. The offensive line also returns largely intact. The defense returns nine starters, led by All-CIAA defensive tackle Marcus Kennedy (43 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and sophomore LB Andrade Oliver who finished fourth in the conference with 94 tackles. Other key defensive players are DE Marcus Crump and DBs Myron Miller, Mark Hall and Charles McKenzie. St. Aug’s lost three games by a combined 11 points in 2007 and with quality experience and depth returning, look to come out on top in similar situations this season.

Johnson C. Smith (3-7, 2-5)
Coach Daryl McNeill hopes improved experience at key positions, in the form of 13 returning starters, and fewer injuries in the early season will propel the Golden Bulls into the division’s upper echelon. Senior QB Carl Richardson returns after finishing second in the league in passing (118-241-11 TDs, 8 ints.; 336 rushing yards, 2 TDs), as does his favorite target, sophomore WR Jeremy Franklin (39-737-6) who led the CIAA in receiving as a freshman on his way to All-CIAA honors. Senior and second-leading receiver Brandon Benjamin (29-372-TD) and sophomore Daniel Watkins (9-132-TD) also return to the receiving corps. At press time RB Marco Kirven was awaiting word on an extra year of eligibility after playing in just four games last year before suffering a season-ending injury, but leading rusher Kevin Allen (104-434-5) is back, as is junior Jonathan Metcalf (64-183-3). The offensive line will have to be filled after losing two starters to graduation, but preseason All-CIAA performer Rashaun Curry returns. The defensive scheme switched from a 3-4 formation to a 4-3 scheme in the offseason, but several starters return to the unit ready to take on new roles. The line should be in good shape with the return of seniors Tre Gamble (24 tackles, sack) and Elijah Ashley (16 tackles, sack) and junior B.L. Williams (16 tackles). The linebackers will be young, but junior Garrison McCormick returns after finishing third on the team with 58 tackles and an interception returned 95 yards for a touchdown. Steven Williams, second on the team with 64 tackles and two interceptions, returns to his safety position, as does sophomore Andre Saxon (9 tackles). All-CIAA punter Herbert Collins will need to be replaced.

Livingstone (0-10, 0-7)
Though winless last season, 2008 has to be better for the Blue Bears. After all, last year 2/3 of their roster were freshmen. A year of experience combined with several junior college transfers should at least earn a couple victories. Key returnees on offense include senior RB Rahsard Flucker (76-229-TD; 32 catches, 183 yards, TD) and sophomore receiver An’Thon Harris (23-395-2). The defense will be led by senior end Ryan Reese (52 tackles, 1.5 sacks), junior LB Akeem Deloatch (69 tackles, 2 sacks) and senior LB John Ford (58 tackles, int.)

Chowan (2-9)
First-year CIAA members return nine key players on offense and all but two defensive starters as they prepare to play a full conference schedule. Offensively the Hawks lost starters at both quarterback and running back, though those slated to fill in saw limited time in 2007. QB Marcus Brown played in seven games last season, starting three, and completed 42% of his passes for 228 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Meanwhile, RB Spruce Lee finished third on the team with 271 yards (on 71 carries) and a touchdown. Fortunately for Chowan their top four receivers return: James Fox (30-432-4), Louis Williams (27-544-3), Brandon Myrick (22-171-TD) and Darris Wright (21-196-TD). Additionally, four starting linemen return led by junior Melvin Rodgers. An experienced defense will be led by LB Jomo Brown, second on the team with 76 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Kurt Carlson (also 76 tackles, sack), joins him on the second level. The line is led by a trio of seniors: Quentin Lasden (38 tackles, 4 sacks), Kevin Cheek (38 tackles, sack) and Ysidro Wilks (34 tackles, 5 sacks). Returning to the secondary are safety D’Angelo Goffingon (59 tackles, 2 sacks) and CB Aaron Hawkins (52 tackles, 3 ints., TD). Kicker/punter Cory Cline also returns.

Lincoln
There isn’t much to say about the Lions as the nation’s oldest HBCU returns to gridiron competition for the first time since 1960. The Lions will compete on a club level this season but will square off against such CIAA foes as Fayetteville State, Shaw and Bowie State, among others. As for players, coach O.J. Abanishe will rely on a group of redshirts and transfers. Players to watch on offense include 225-pound RB Myles Fleming and a pair of huge receivers, 6-4, 215-pound Shawn Bethea and 6-5, 200-pound Steven Rudd. On defense tackle Max Holiday, LB Brand McElwee and CB Elijah Gormes will be counted on.