Plenty at stake for Lions, Statesmen

[JohnDeere 0]

Game will be on CSS this Thursday night.

UNA is ranked nationally at #2, but only #3 in the Southeast Region. Delta St. and Valdosta are #1 & #2. Top 6 teams from the Region make the playoffs.

TD

Plenty at stake for Lions, Statesmen

By Jeff McIntyre

Assistant Sports Editor

FLORENCE — The GSC standings show that North Alabama and Delta State are tied for first place with 5-0 conference records heading into Thursday night's showdown at Braly Stadium.

When Thursday's game between the two rivals is over, the standings will still show them tied atop the standings, regardless of which team wins.

Due to changes in the GSC schedule the last two years, Thursday's game will not count as a conference game. The changes were made after Central Arkansas left the conference to move to Division I. The move left some teams with more GSC games than others, forcing the conference to designate certain games between league teams as non-conference games.

While the game may not decide the GSC championship, there is still plenty on the line for both teams.

'It is just as important as any conference game because it is a region game,' UNA safety Bobby Brooks said. 'We know this game will go a long way toward determining which teams make the playoffs. It's a huge game for both teams.'

Delta State coach Ron Roberts said it really doesn't matter what is on the line when the Statesmen face the Lions.

'We could play UNA in the parking lot and it would still mean a lot to both teams,' said Roberts, in his first season as head coach of the Statesmen. 'It is two of the top programs in all of Division II and both teams have a lot of respect for each other. We've had a lot of good games over the years and this game usually brings out the best in both teams.'

The top six teams in the Southeast Region earn berth's in the Division II playoffs. Delta State (6-0, 5-0 GSC) moved up to No. 1 in the regional rankings after last week's 35-31 victory over Valdosta State,

UNA (6-0, 5-0) was expected to move up to No. 2 in the region, but instead remained No. 3 after Saturday's 46-27 victory over Arkansas-Monticello. Valdosta Stated dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 after its loss to Delta State.

UNA coach Mark Hudspeth said he could not understand how the Lions did not move into the No. 2 spot in the region.

'I just don't understand Division II football,' Hudspeth said. 'Obviously the Top 25 poll is just a waste of time. It's something that is completely out of our control. All we can do is to keep trying to win games.'

If both teams win their final three regular season games after Thursday's game, they would tie for the GSC championship, While one team would have a victory over the other, in the conference's eyes the two teams would be co-champions of the GSC.

'There is plenty at stake for both teams, especially in the region rankings,' Roberts said. 'There is also a big pride factor. It would be hard to say that you won a conference championship if you don't beat the team that is tied with you in the conference standings.'

UNA note: Starting quarterback A.J. Milwee practiced with the team Monday, although he was limited in what he could do. Milwee suffered a strained left knee during Saturday's win at Arkansas-Monticello and is still listed as doubtful for Thursday's game. Hudspeth said it would be later in the week before a decision would be made on whether Milwee will play this week.

Jeff McIntyre can be reached at 740-5737 or jeff.mcintyre@timesdaily.com.

[CCTAU 3,327]

At least DII has a playoff system. The rankings really don't matter until the end. It's nice to get props, but the chance to earn it on the field has many advantages. Nice to see them doing well. Weren't they supposed to get LSU's transferred running back?

[JohnDeere 0]

At least DII has a playoff system. The rankings really don't matter until the end. It's nice to get props, but the chance to earn it on the field has many advantages. Nice to see them doing well. Weren't they supposed to get LSU's transferred running back?

Alley Broussard transferred to Missouri Southern State Univ.

He wasn't going to 'fit in' the spread option offense UNA runs and get the carries he needed to get some attention from scouts. At 6'0 250, he really wasn't going to make alot of guys miss while catching the ball out in space or getting to the corner on the option.