Durham plays host to CIAA football media day
DURHAM (WTVD) -- For the first time in years, Durham played host to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Football Kickoff, as players and coaches from all 12 teams gathered to talk a little pigskin in preparation for the 2014-15 season.
Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, and Fayetteville State University were well represented at the event and found themselves in generous positions when the preseason poll was released.
The Broncos, who finished second in the CIAA South last season, were projected to stay in the same spot behind last season's NCAA DII Playoff squad and division winner, Winston-Salem State.
Shaw clocked in at number three while Saint Augustine's was slotted to finish fifth.
Fayetteville State head coach Lawrence Kershaw has a better handle on the Broncos' program entering his second season and has lofty goals in mind.
"We've only got two expectations-that's to win our side of the division and to win a conference championship," Kershaw said. "That's what we strive for, and we don't feel any pressure or any kind of way because that's what our goal is and what we're always working towards."
The Broncos also had two players selected to the All-CIAA preseason team - senior offensive guard Marcus Reed, a two-time All-American, and senior free safety Michael Johnson.
The team projected to finish right behind Fayetteville State, Shaw University, has continued to make strides under third-year coach Robert Massey. The Bears have a challenging slate of games on the docket this season.
"We have a tough non-conference schedule, but I think that's the type of schedule we're going to need to be competitive come time for conference play," Massey said.
"We've got a good group of guys returning, and of course we have All-American Marquise Grizzle at running back," he said. "We've got a couple of potential All-American candidates on the defensive end that will solidify our team for this upcoming season."
The Bears will face division rival, Saint Augustine's University, in their last game of the regular season with both teams clamoring for bragging rights with a win.
Head Coach Michael Costa enters his 13th season with the Falcons. Last year his squad finished below .500 and will look to focus heavily on improving on offense this season.
"We can't have all of the turnovers we had last year," Costa said. "Offensively we turned the ball over too many times. We were in all of our ball games, we had the opportunity to compete but turnovers will hurt you, and the biggest thing we stressed this spring was to cut down on our turnover ratio."
The Falcons graduated two-sport athlete and star wide receiver Jermaine Jones, who went on to participate in rookie mini-camp with the New York Jets. Costa said players like Jones help boost the program in a way that sends a strong message to current players.
"It's a good thing because they can look and see what someone has done that has played at Saint Augustine's University, and they know that the opportunity is there," he said.
"It's just how well you apply yourself and how hard you work at your trade."
