The 2009 GSC Football regular season comes to a close this Saturday with all 11 teams taking the field.
North Alabama wrapped up the Conference Title last week and seeks to remain No. 1 in the nation and in the region when it hosts in-state rival West Alabama.
Arkansas Tech also puts its post-season hopes on the line when it journeys to in-state foe Harding. The No. 6 regionally ranked Wonder Boys need a win if they hope to be among the six teams that will advance to the NCAA Playoffs.
The all-time series is on the line when cross-street rivals Ouachita Baptist and Henderson State battle at A.U. Williams Field in the oldest Division II Football rivalry in the country-"The Battle of the Ravine."
Arkansas-Monticello and Southern Arkansas travel to Memorial Stadium in El Dorado, AR for the inaugural "Boomtown Classic." The teams return to El Dorado for the fifth time in the 84-game series.
Delta State rounds out the final Conference tilt, hosting Homecoming foe West Georgia.
Valdosta State completes its season with non-conference action, seeking to celebrate Senior Day when it hosts NAIA Edward Waters.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH
Henderson State (3-6, 3-4) @ Ouachita Baptist (5-4, 3-4), 1:30 p.m.
A.U. Williams Field, Arkadelphia, AR
Series: Tied 38-38-6
Last Meeting: OBU 43, @ HSU 36 (2008)
Henderson State walks across Highway 7 to the Ouachita Baptist campus for the 83rd annual "Battle of the Ravine."
The teams enter the game tied in the league standings with the winner moving to .500 and taking a lead in the all-time series which is tied, 38-38-6. OBU evened the series in last year's 43-36 road win, halting HSU's two-game streak by scoring 27 points in the final 12:10 of the game. The Reddies posted an 18-0 shutout in their last trip to A.U. Williams in 2006. The Tigers are 23-14-2 at home in the series.
Ouachita Baptist is first in the GSC in rushing offense (192.8) and rushing defense (91.6) and is second in scoring defense (20.0) and total defense (304.3). Henderson State is third in rushing offense (180.9) and fourth in scoring offense (31.9) and rushing defense (129.0). OBU running back KJ Johnson is tops in rushing (116.7) and rushing touchdowns (11) and ninth in total offense (116.7). Wide receiver Jeremy Young is No. 1 in receptions (7.25) and kick return average (32.1) and No. 3 in the receiving (94.8). Quarterback Eli Cranor is seventh in passing (194.4) and total offense (220.0). HSU running back Stefon Ceaser is second in rushing (81.1) and Kenard Springer is fifth (69.4). Wide out Chris Evering is ninth in receiving (61.7).
Arkansas Tech (7-2, 5-2) @ Harding (5-5, 3-4), 2:00 p.m.
First Security Stadium, Searcy, AR
Series: ATU leads 29-18-0
Last Meeting: @ ATU 56, HU 34 (2008)
Arkansas Tech seeks to put its post-season doubts to rest when it travels to in-state rival Harding.
If the Wonder Boys want to extend their season, then they will have to break a recent trend between the schools. The rivals have alternated victories the past five seasons with the home team coming away victorious. ATU's last win in Searcy came in 2003 when it clipped the Bisons, 10-9. Harding has claimed the last two at home versus Arkansas Tech, including a 27-10 win in 2004 and a 62-55 thriller in 2007. ATU owns a 29-18-0 advantage in the all-time series.
Arkansas Tech is first in the Conference in pass offense (365.4) and total offense (524.3) and second in scoring offense (40.9) and rushing defense (98.3). Harding is seventh in pass offense (236.9) and eighth in scoring defense (28.7) and rushing defense (149.3). ATU signal caller Nick Graziano is tops in passing (334.8), total offense (378.0) and pass efficiency (149.2). Wide receiver Frantz Simeon is first in receiving (101.7), receiving touchdowns (11) and all purpose yards (198.1). Landon Turner is second in receptions (tied, 7.12) and receiving (101.4). HU defensive back Josh Jones leads the league in interceptions per game (0.80) and passes defended (1.90). Wide receiver Zac Ross has been thrust into the quarterback role for the Bisons and ranks sixth in all purpose yards (126.9).
Arkansas-Monticello (4-6, 3-4) vs. Southern Arkansas (3-6, 2-5), 2:00 p.m.
Memorial Stadium, El Dorado, AR
Series: SAU leads 49-33-1
Last Meeting: SAU 23, @ UAM 16 (2008)
Arkansas-Monticello and Southern Arkansas lock horns for the 84th time, facing off in the first-ever Boomtown Classic at Memorial Stadium in El Dorado, AR.
The schools meet in El Dorado for the fifth time in series history after playing back-to-back games in 1933-1934 and 1946-47. SAU has never lost in Boomtown, going 3-0-1 including a 0-0 tie in the first-ever matchup. The Muleriders won 7-6 in 1934, 21-0 in 1946 and 33-6 in 1947. Southern Arkansas has had its way versus UAM recently, winning eight of the last nine and four consecutive. The Boll Weevils last win came in Magnolia in 2004, 33-31.
Arkansas-Monticello is fourth in the league in pass offense (271.8) and seventh in total offense (388.1) and pass defense (246.8). Southern Arkansas is second in pass defense (202.0), third in total defense (343.8) and sixth in rushing defense (141.8). UAM quarterback Scott Buisson is third in total offense (292.2) and fourth in passing (250.1). His top target is Jywin Ceaser who is fourth in receiving (93.6) and fifth in receptions (6.56). SAU signal caller Austin Civita is eighth in passing (173.7) and total offense (165.9). Freshman running back Carlos Brown is 10th in rushing (47.0). Defensive tackle Cedric Thornton leads the nation in tackles for loss (2.22).
West Georgia (1-8, 1-6) @ Delta State (4-5, 3-4), 4:00 p.m. (HOMECOMING)
Parker Field at McCool Stadium, Cleveland, MS
Series: DSU leads 15-7-0
Last Meeting: DSU 68, @ UWG 10 (2008)
Delta State seeks to even its overall and Conference records, wrapping up its season by hosting Homecoming versus West Georgia.
DSU is 15-7-0 all-time versus the Wolves led by a 7-3 mark in Cleveland. In fact, the Statesmen have won three in a row at McCool Stadium in the series. UWG snapped a 21-game overall losing streak two weeks ago and hopes to put the brakes on a 14-game road skid on Saturday. DSU's offense has had its way recently, scoring over 40 points in three of the past four battles.
Delta State is third in the GSC in scoring defense (23.1), fifth in rushing offense (145.0) and sixth in pass offense (245.9) and total offense (390.9). West Georgia is sixth rushing offense (120.1) and third in punt return average (10.7). DSU running back Trevar Deed is second in all purpose yards (174.9), third in rushing (76.8), fourth in receptions (7.11) and fifth in receiving (79.4). Quarterback Garrett DeWitt is fifth in passing (240.2) and sixth in total offense (248.2). UWG running back Yusuf Holloway is fourth in rushing (74.9). Signal caller Brandon Behenna is 10th in total offense (85.9).
West Alabama (6-4, 4-3) @ No. 1 North Alabama (10-0, 7-0), 6:00 p.m.
Braly Municipal Stadium, Florence, AL
Series: UNA leads 46-14-1
Last Meeting: UNA 41, @ UWA 9 (2008)
GSC Champion North Alabama looks to put the caps on its first undefeated regular season since 2006, hosting in-state rival West Alabama.
UWA would like nothing more than to send UNA to the post-season with a sour taste in its mouth. History is on the Lions' side, owning a 46-14-1 all-time edge led by four consecutive wins. The Tigers have not won a game in Florence since 1987 resulting in an 11-game skid. West Alabama's defense has struggled to stop North Alabama's offense, giving up at least 41 points in the past four matchups. The Lions have won 24 regular-season home games in a row and 17 overall at home.
North Alabama is tops in the league in scoring offense (42.3), scoring defense (14.0), pass defense (154.8) and total defense (289.8). West Alabama is second in rushing offense (183.5) and total offense (433.6) and third in scoring offense (31.9). UNA quarterback Harrison Beck is second in passing (296.4) and passing TDs (25) and fourth in total offense (290.0). Running back Tim Hicks is seventh in rushing (54.1). Wide out Preston Parker is seventh in receiving (69.4) and eighth in receptions (4.44). Will Batson is No. 1 in punting average (41.3). UWA running back Roosevelt Ross is sixth in rushing (63.5), while Dameon Baylor is eighth (51.3). Signal caller Deon Williams is fifth in total offense (259.7) and sixth in passing (224.1).
Edward Waters (0-9) @ Valdosta State (5-4), 1:00 p.m.
Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, GA
Series: First meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
Valdosta State puts the lid on its 2009 campaign, moving out of league action and hosting NAIA Edward Waters in the first-ever meeting.
Although this year has been a bit of a disappointment for the traditional national power, the Blazers look to honor a highly successful senior class with a victory. VSU faces a non-conference foe for the second time this year after suffering a home upset versus Newberry in the season opener. Before that setback, Valdosta State claimed 11 straight wins versus non-conference foes. VSU is 3-2 at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium this season.
Valdosta State enters the game ranked third in the GSC in rushing defense (117.8) and pass offense (288.1) and fourth in scoring defense (24.2), total offense (405.3) and total defense (363.1). Wide receiver Cedric Jones is the league's all-time leader in receptions (282) and is currently tied for second in this year's receptions list (7.12). Quarterback Kellen Lewis is second in total offense (298.0) and third in passing (255.2).
#GSC#
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