During these dog days of summer, while looking forward to the college season ahead, NC Football News is also scouring YouTube channels for some of the best memories from 2022. Today we revisit Fayetteville State’s thrilling 31-28 CIAA championship game win over Chowan on Nov. 12 in Salem, Va. (SCROLL BELOW FOR VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS).
The Broncos had knocked on the door of a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship four times since 2017, falling short in all four title-game appearances (the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID). This time, coach Richard Hayes’ team would not be denied.
Chowan led 28-21 with 7:35 left after a Nijere Peoples’ touchdown following an interception. But FSU came right back, led by quarterback Demari Daniels, who would be named the Food Lion Game Most Valuable Player. A couple of clutch passes to Tre’ Good and Barry Elliott set up Caden Davis’ 1-yard touchdown run.
Elton Andrew’s PAT tied the contest 28-28 with 4:51 remaining.
Chowan committed a kick-catch interference penalty after a punt, setting up the Broncos at the Hawks’ 46.
Fayetteville State faced fourth-and-4 with 1:16 left. The Broncos lined up in an odd formation, with Daniels and his center in the middle of the field and nearly everyone else flanked out to the left. Daniels fired a quick screen to Elijah Henry, who ducked tacklers and picked up five yards for the crucial first down.
A 14-yard completion from Daniels to Cameron Harrington then put the Broncos within Andrew’s reach. His 43-yard boot as time expired went right down the center of the uprights, and the celebration was on for a school that hadn’t won the CIAA in football since 2009.
Andrew, an all-conference performer, made 10 field goals on the season. Ironically, he had missed four FGs in a row coming into the CIAA title game. The 43-yarder proved the longest of 2022 and one of the longest of his career.
Fayetteville State finished with nine wins a year ago, falling to Delta State in the D2 playoffs. The CIAA championship was the school’s fourth.
Chowan capped a stellar season with a 7-4 overall record. Not to be overlooked, it was the Hawks’ first CIAA title-game appearance since the school joined the league in 2009.
Chowan quarterback Rashad McKee was the runner-up for game MVP. McKee completed 23-of-31 passes for 266 yards. He also rushed for 36 yards and a TD. Demetrius Moore made six catches for 98 yards. Malik Tobias added another 98 yards on five catches. Peoples rushed for three touchdowns on the day.
One of the unsung heroes of the game was Broncos punter Jacob Young, who averaged 45 yards on four kicks. FSU also had 101 yards on four kickoff returns.
Fayetteville State opens the 2023 season on Thursday, Aug. 31 at UNC Pembroke. The Broncos will not meet Chowan this season. The Hawks will play the next two years in the Gulf South Conference, eventually transitioning to Conference Carolinas in 2025. Chowan’s first game of 2023 will be at Barton on Aug. 31.
(Sources: TheCIAA.com and FSUBroncos.com)
