Rams will finish season 7-3 but have a slim chance of making playoffs
There was a definite bump in statue for Winston-Salem State's football program this season.
The Rams finished 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the CIAA with Coach Robert Massey finding a successful formula in his fifth season in Winston-Salem. It was his 11th season as a head coach overall, and his best record of his career.
"It's my coaches and the staff that we have," Massey said about the team's success. "We've got stability, we've got resources with added scholarships, and I've said this before, this is a good school to go to."
The Rams, who were the third-best team in the CIAA behind Virgina Union and Johnson C. Smith, missed out on the championship game and were close to making the Division II playoffs but missed out.
The future for the Rams appears very good despite losing 11 starters between the offense and defense. Massey's contract he signed four years ago is good until after next season.
Etienne Thomas, the athletics director who signed Massey to the contract, didn't indicate if Massey would get an extension. Thomas' contract ends in December of 2025.
"I'm excited about our prospects next season even though we lose those 11 guys," Massey said. "We've got a lot of young guys who played a lot of football and that's going to help us."
There were hopes of getting to the playoffs but on Sunday when the pairings came out the Rams did not make the top seven in their region, so their season came to an end.
Wide receiver Kalab Washington, who is one of the young skilled players who will be back next season, is excited about the future.
The Rams will need to shore up the offensive and defensive lines as well as the secondary.
"I like where we are going and we are excited about what's ahead," said Washington, who made the game-winning touchdown catch in the double overtime win over Fayetteville State last weekend at homecoming.
If that homecoming game is any indication of what's to come, then the Rams could get over that hump next season and get to the CIAA championship game for the first time since 2016.
Virginia Union won its second straight CIAA title on Saturday beating Virginia State in Salem, Va.
"I know we lose about 28 guys, but we've got some guys who didn't play this year who sat out who can maybe start for us next season," Massey said. "And we hope to have that core of guys stay around this summer and take classes and work out like we had last summer."
Massey said there will also be an increase in scholarship dollars that will help build depth. They could have as many as 30 scholarships by next season.
"That's how you build this thing, and we've got some headway now and they have bought in," Massey said.
Quarterback Daylin Lee is expected back for his junior season and has two years of experience. Massey said one area they need to address is finding a quality backup for Lee.
On the offensive line four starters have exhausted their eligibility so keeping Lee healthy will be a priority. Center Darius McDuffie was a three-year starter, so he'll be missed as well.
"We have a good core of running backs that return, and our wide receiver depth will be good," Massey said. "Guys like Kaleb Washington will only get better as we head into next season."
The Rams had their most wins since 2016 and emerged as the third best team in the CIAA. They'll have to move up to get to the CIAA championship game next season, but the momentum is there.
"There's no doubt we have confidence heading into spring ball," Washington said. "We'll have to get better and develop that chemistry again. We came up short of reaching the championship game, but we accomplished a lot."
PHOTOS: Winston-Salem State defeats Fayetteville State, 37-31, in double overtime of homecoming football game
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All-CIAA Awards
Offensive Player of the Year - Jada Byers (Virginia Union University): This season's Offensive Player of the Year re-wrote the record books at VUU and forever etched his name in football program's history. Jada Byers takes home the honor after a senior campaign that saw him set the Panthers' all-time record for rushing yards (5,311) and touchdowns (70). He also broke the single game record this season for both yards and touchdowns with 324 yards and six touchdowns in a game against Bowie State. His 1.497 rushing yards is nearly 700 yards more than the next-best finisher and his 23 touchdowns is more than double that of the second-place finisher (11). Lastly, he was tabbed the CIAA Offensive Back of the Week on four occasions this season.
Defensive Player of the Year - Benari Black (Johnson C. Smith University): Johnson C. Smith's Benari Black is the Defensive Player of the Year honoree after a stellar season that saw him spearhead one of the conference's best defenses. Black's 113 tackles were good for first in the conference, as he was the only player to eclipse double digits. He also added three sacks and three pass break-ups to earn the honor, also adding in a CIAA Linebacker of the Week honor to boot.
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Micah Robinson (Bowie State): Micah Robinson enjoyed a strong freshman campaign that saw him finish fifth in the conference in rushing yards (656) and touchdowns (5). His efforts this season helped him earn weekly honors on two separate occasions: one as Offensive Back of the Week, and once as Rookie of the Week. He complemented his strength on the ground with another 125 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Marquis Edmond (Virginia State University): Marquis Edmond burst onto the scene for the Trojans in his freshman campaign and was a reliable player as he gathered 31 tackles, a pass breakups, and a forced fumble in just seven starts. His ability to make a difference helped contribute to VSU being the top scoring defense in the conference and eighth overall in the nation.
Lineman of the Year - Bruno Onwuazor (Virginia State University): Bruno Onwuazor was a force to be reckoned with on Virginia State's offensive line, as he contributed to an offense that was second in scoring (32 ppg), second in the conference in yards per game (395), second in the conference in rushing offense (168) and third in the conference in passing offense (226). He graded out at an impressive 95% all season and only allowed one pass pressure in that span.
Special Teams Player of the Year - Zyaire Tart (Lincoln University (PA): Lincoln University's Zyaire Tart takes home the Special Teams Player of the Year honor after contributing to an effective return game for the Lions, compiling nearly 700 kick return yards which included a career-long 80-yard return.
Coach of the Year - Maurice Flowers (Johnson C. Smith University): After an impressive 8-2 campaign, Johnson C. Smith head coach Maurice Flowers is named the Coach of the Year. Flowers led the team to an 8-0 start and helped coach a stout defense that allowed 17 or less points in nine of the team's ten games. The Golden Bulls spent the last month in the regional rankings and were a team that struck fear into their opponents on a weekly basis.
First-Team All-CIAA
Tight End:
Kameron King (Fayetteville)
Offensive Linemen:
Jared Achuff (Bowie State)
Michael Todd (Fayetteville)
Bruno Onwuazor (VSU)
Kyle Estep (JCSU)
Larry Jones Jr. (VUU)
Wide Receivers:
Brevin Caldwell (JCSU)
Reginald Vick Jr. (VUU)
Quarterback:
Darius Ocean (JCSU)
Running Backs:
Jada Byers (VUU)
Travon Tensley (Shaw)
Place Kicker:
Brady Myers (VUU)
Kick Returner:
Zyaire Tart (Lincoln (PA))
Defensive Linemen:
Saevion Gibbs (Shaw)
Lamone Hill Jr. (JCSU)
Davion Watkins (Livingstone)
Isaac Anderson (VUU)
Linebackers:
Benari Black (JCSU)
Sadiq Salawu (Bowie State)
Carl Poole Jr. (VSU)
Defensive Backs:
Shamar Baker (JCSU
Justin Fleming (WSSU)
William Davis (VUU)
Donavan Howard (VSU)
Punter:
Marvin Holmes (VUU)
Punt Returner:
JahTwan Stafford (WSSU)
Second-Team All-CIAA
Tight End:
Kalen Carver (VUU)
Offensive Linemen:
Queonte Hilliard (Shaw)
Keith Quick (WSSU)
Jamari Mason (JCSU)
Mathias Nielsen (VUU)
Joshua Beatty (JCSU)
Wide Receivers:
Joseph Towler (Bowie State)
Kevin Gayles (VSU)
Quarterback:
Romelo Williams (VSU)
Running Backs:
Trevon Hester (WSSU)
Micah Robinson (Bowie State)
Place Kicker:
Jason Zapata (Livingstone)
Kick Returner:
Ja'qun Wilkins (JCSU)
Defensive Linemen:
Jayshaun Alston (VSU)
Jalen Banks (Shaw)
Mustapha Coly (VSU)
Osmanis Aguilera (Livingstone)
Linebackers:
Jack Smith (JCSU)
KJ McNeil (VSU)
Quewon Hilliard (Shaw)
Defensive Backs:
Ja'qun Wilkins (JCSU)
Noah Gibson (Shaw)
Kolby Merritt (Fayetteville)
Kevin Larkins Jr. (Livingstone)
Punter:
Justin Zavala (Bowie State)
Punt Returner:
Awesome Waller Jr. (Bowie State)
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