|
They're going to the show! They're going to the
show!
The Fayetteville Broncos are going to the
Division II playoff show.
How 'bout that?
The Broncos looked dead in the water early in
the season after an 0-2 start and an embarrassing loss to Virginia State. But
they have won six straight games, including last Saturday's 21-10 win over Bowie
State for the CIAA championship crown.
For their victory, FSU (8-3) was catapulted
from the No. 10 spot in Super Regional One to No. 6 - to the chagrin of many by
the take of the D2 message board. The people who hate Earned Access are usually
the ones whose teams didn't get in.
Every conference champion should get a bid -
simple as that - or the division needs to expand the playoff field. But since
that's obviously not going to happen anytime soon, to quote an old clich?,
"It is what it is."
The Broncos are in their third playoffs. The
previous two tries produced disappointing results - losses in 2002 and '04 to
Carson-Newman.
The conference is in a new region this time,
but that doesn't make the competition any less stiff. FSU travels to
Pennsylvania to take on No. 3 California University of Pennsylvania, winners of
five straight PSAC West titles.
"This is an opportunity for us to continue
as a football team and try to reach that ultimate goal we set in January of
playing in December in the national championship game," coach Kenny
Phillips said. "But you can't do that if you don't win your first playoff
game. We've got our work cut out for us."
As of Wednesday, Phillips said he hadn't
decided whom his starting QB would be. For those of us who saw the CIAA game,
it's a no-brainer.
Trailing BSU 10-0, starter Tyler Hosler was
benched in the third quarter for former starter Benjamin Williams. It was a
different game from there. Williams not only rallied FSU to the win but was
named most valuable player. But FSU did win six games under Hosler when he took
over for Williams.
"Either guy that's starting is going to do
a good job," senior wide receiver Kendon Doe said. "We've been behind
both quarterbacks the entire season. They have our confidence and we have
theirs. I expect them to do what got us here."
The Broncos' last road loss was against Shaw
19-12 on Oct. 12, 2008. The defense is allowing only 11.1 points per game
on the road.
"We have some seniors on defense and they
are great leaders," senior linebacker Joseph Brown said. "What they
want to do is make the most of their last season. I think they're done a great
job of making sure we have a successful season."
- Side note: It's old news, yes, but
congratulations goes to Chowan QB CJ Wrestler for becoming the first white QB to
be named CIAA offensive player of the year. He might be the first white player
period. It was well deserved, and I know a few coaches who are glad to see him
graduate.
|
