THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508260511
SECTION: FOOTBALL '95 PAGE: Z18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COLLEGE FORECAST
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
Hampton University is no longer around to rule the CIAA, making this year's run for the football title as wide open as it's been in years.
With the Pirates out of the picture - Hampton has moved to the Division I-AA ranks - four teams are viewed as legitimate title challengers: Norfolk State, Virginia State, Winston-Salem State and North Carolina Central.
Ironically, each of the four plays only two of the other three this season - Norfolk State doesn't play Winston-Salem State and Virginia State doesn't play N.C. Central. That makes the four head-to-head games involving the favorites that much bigger.
Norfolk State hosts Virginia State on Saturday. N.C. Central visits Winston-Salem State Oct. 14. Norfolk State visits N.C. Central Nov. 4. And Winston-Salem State hosts Virginia State Nov. 11.
A quick glance around the CIAA:
VIRGINIA STATE: Rodney Granger of Portsmouth returns at quarterback after passing for 1,693 yards and 17 touchdowns. Robert ``Bo'' Morgan, who ran for 926 yards and 14 touchdowns, is back at tailback.
Tackle Leroy Lewis anchors a defense which, like the offense, returns eight starters. The Trojans were 7-3 last year.
But one key player who isn't returning is defensive coordinator Andrew Faison, who accepted the same position at Winston-Salem State.
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL: With possibly the best group of linebackers in the CIAA - James Grant, Tevin Bogan and Tommy Dorsey - and two of the four All-CIAA preseason linemen - Michael Lattimore and Tyrone Odoms - the Eagles expect to be solid defensively.
After back-to-back 6-5 records, head coach Larry Little sees his Eagles as legitimate contenders.
N.C. Central has been the best in the CIAA at special-teams play and that shouldn't change this year with kick returner Monte Southerland, placekicker Kevin Houston and punter Trei Oliver all back.
Brad McAdams returns at quarterback and Little hopes the Eagles hold onto the ball.
``Our defense caused 38 turnovers last year,'' Little said. ``But our offense gave it away 41 times.''
WINSTON-SALEM STATE: Running back Richard Huntley has his sights set on rewriting (again) the CIAA record book and is coming off an impressive junior season in which he rushed for 1,815 yards and 18 touchdowns.
For his career, Huntley has rushed for a CIAA-record 4,397 yards. To help open holes, defensive lineman John Robinson (6-5, 305) has been converted to offensive tackle.
It's unfortunate the Rams (6-5) don't play Norfolk State this season; last year's game resulted in a memorable 50-48 Norfolk State victory.
The Rams gave up 38 or more points five times last season. The addition of defensive coordinator Andrew Faison from Virginia State should help matters.
ELIZABETH CITY STATE: Former Norfolk State assistant George Moody begins his third year at the helm and the Vikings return their offensive line intact.
Quarterback Kenny Crump also returns, as do running backs Aaron Murchinson and Malcolm Mackey. And Moody has recruited wide receiver Sharano Woodley from the basketball team.
The defense should be anchored by All-CIAA defensive back Barry Lipscomb, preseason All-CIAA linebacker Dameon Latta and linebacker Andrew Richardson.
VIRGINIA UNION: Head coach Willard Bailey returns after 12 years away from the school and two away from coaching altogether.
Most recently head coach at Norfolk State, Bailey inherits a squad that finished 1-9 a year ago.
The Panthers return seven starters on offense and eight on defense. Most are underclassmen; the roster includes only six seniors.
Donald Ruffin is back at quarterback, but will be asked to learn his fourth offense under his fourth head coach. Paul Macklin, who caught 42 passes for 574 yards, is expected to be a prime target. Sophomore running back Korey Fuller will be asked to step in for departed Bobby Phillips, who is with the Minnesota Vikings.
LIVINGSTONE: The Fighting Bears have suffered from tremendous player turnover in the last few years, but coach Rudy Abrams hopes that trend has reversed, particularly following a 5-5 season after a 1-10 finish the previous year.
High hopes this season are pinned on running back Wilmont Perry and defensive back George Williams.
FAYETTEVILLE STATE: Things aren't going too well when a coach talks biggest about his incoming freshmen. The Broncos were 4-5 last year. It would be a success if Jerome Harper's fourth edition can match that.
Freshmen quarterback Demetriz Davis and running backs Walter Young and Harry Harris will be given ample opportunity to win jobs.
BOWIE STATE: Sherman Wood says the Bulldogs have their best talent since 1988. He expects to improve last year's 2-8 mark, but the Bulldogs were picked to finish ninth in the CIAA.
``I'd like to thank you everyone,'' Wood told his fellow coaches at CIAA media day. ``There's no pressure on me.''
Darrell Foote returns at quarterback after passing for 1,293 yards and six touchdowns a year ago. The Bulldogs would like to pass on a big raspberry to their schedule maker - they play four of their first five games on the road.
JOHNSON C. SMITH: The Golden Bulls finished 0-10 last season and are predicted to finish in the cellar again.
Daryl McNeill takes over as head coach, but with little returning. Wide receivers Reggie Lawrence and Brandon Armstrong are proven targets, but who will pass the ball?
Larcoy McRae is a quality building block at linebacker, but McNeill may be in need of Superglue to hold this bunch together. MEMO: Special Section
KEYWORDS: SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL SECTION VIRGINIA COLLEGE
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