The only question that was left in the 2022 CIAA football season was, will the Chowan Hawks win the CIAA championship in their first appearance or is the 5th time’s the charm for the Fayetteville State Broncos?
The CIAA championship took place on November 12th 2022 at the neutral site of Salem Stadium in Salem, Virginia. The Championship game featured the Northern Division Champions the Chowan Hawks (7-4). The Southern Division Champions the Fayetteville State Broncos (9-2) will travel to the championship game for the fifth year in a row.
The 2021 CIAA Championship featured the Northern Division Champions Bowie State Bulldogs (9-1) against the Southern Division Champions Fayetteville State Broncos (8-1). The game was won by the Bulldogs 17-7 to win the championship for the third year in a row and all of them against the Broncos. The Bulldogs had a magical run to the NCAA Division II quarterfinal round but fell to the Valdosta State 41-17 who lost in the NCAA Division II championship game.
Both teams in the 2022 edition have had a successful season and have a chance at the NCAA Division II playoffs. This should be a battle of wills as both teams come into the game with at least a five-game win streak.
CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
This was the Hawks first time in the CIAA championship game, and they fought until the end. The scoring opened with the Broncos 15-yard touchdown run by RB Elijah Henry to take a 7-0 lead. The Hawks answered with a 11-yard touchdown run by RB Nijere Peoples to tie the score at seven. The Broncos took the lead again with a 19-yard touchdown pass from QB Demari Daniels to WR Barry Elliot. The Hawks responded with another touchdown run by QB Rashad McKee from five yards away to tie the score at 14.
After a 28-point first quarter the only score in the second was a 11-yard touchdown run by RB Nijere Peoples to take a 21-14 halftime lead. The only score in the third quarter was a 54-yard pass from QB Demari Daniels to WR Braxton Knotts. In the fourth quarter with 7:35 remaining the Hawks took the lead with a two-yard run by RB Nijere Peoples for the third score of the game. The Broncos tied the score at 28 with 4:51 left in the game by QB Caden Davis with a one-yard touchdown run.
The Hawks had over 420 yards in total yards but couldn’t get a first down to win the championship. The Broncos’ defense held and forced a punt from the Hawks and got the ball back with 2:19 in regulation.
The Broncos drove down and kicked the winning field goal from 43 yards away as time expired by K Andrew Elton.
The Fayetteville State Broncos won their fourth championship 2002, 2003,2009 and 2022. This was the fifth consecutive trip to the championship game and first win in 13 years.
The Chowan Hawks had a tremendous season. The Broncos should make the NCAA Division II playoffs and might host a playoff game. The seventh seed Broncos earned a playoff berth and will travel to play the second seed Delta State Statesmen on Saturday November 19th at 1pm.
CHOWAN DEFENSIVE STARS
Although the Hawks fell short, they still had a few defensive stars. LB Burnico Perofeta had six tackles to lead the team. DB Caleb Hester had four tackles. DL Traevon Mitchell also had four tackles. DB Kmare Carey had three tackles and one interception.
FAYETTEVILLE STATE DEFENSIVE STARS
To help their team win the championship a few players stood out on the defensive side of the ball. LB Gerald Simpson led the team with 11 tackles. DE Cameron Merrell had nine tackles and half a sack. LB Kentrell Caldwell had eight tackles. DB Khalid Martin had six tackles. DE Devin Cowan had five tackles and one and half sacks. LB Brian Grier also had five tackles and one and half sacks with a forced fumble. DB Brandon Barnes-Brown tacked on two tackles and one interception.
COACHES CORNER
Head Coach Mark Hall for the Chowan Hawks appeared in his first championship game as a head coach and will have his team ready for another championship run for the 2023 season. There is nothing more motivating than losing the championship game, just ask the Fayetteville State Broncos.
Head Coach Richard Hayes Jr. for the Fayetteville State Broncos has appeared in the championship game five times 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. This year was the first year he won the championship as a head coach. Coach Hayes Jr. already had a successful program this year just put a stamp on it. Congratulations Coach Hayes Jr. to your staff, players and school for a tremendous season and good luck in NCAA Division II playoffs.
In other news the SWAC Championship is heating up in the coming weeks.
