Four So South Teams Reach FCS Playoffs

The postseason is here, and four teams covered through this column have achieved the honor of continuing to play.

By Myron Hosea
CSN So South Columnist
College Sporting News

Three SoCon Teams Make the Field

SoCon champion Georgia Southern (9-2, 7-1) enters the playoffs as the number three seed. The Eagles, who went all the way to the semifinals before losing to Delaware a year ago, drew a first-round bye. They will host the winner of the Old Dominion-Norfolk State game that will be played Nov. 26.

Wofford (8-3, 6-2) and Appalachian State (8-3, 6-2) both rallied in the final regular-season weekend to finish tied for second and earn playoff spots. Both teams drew first-week byes.

The Terriers get to travel on Dec. 3, visiting fifth seed Northern Iowa (9-2, 7-1). The Panthers finished tied for first in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The Mountaineers will be at home on Dec. 3, facing Maine (8-3, 6-2). The Black Bears tied for second with two other teams in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Stony Brook Gets It Done

The Seawolves won the fourth quarter Saturday to defeat Liberty and take the Big South Conference championship. Stony Brook (8-3, 6-0) enters the postseason as one of the nation’s hottest teams having won their last eight games.

In addition to making the playoffs, the Seawolves received a home game. They will welcome Albany (8-3, 7-1) on Nov. 26. Albany tied for first in the Northeast Conference.

Interesting Notes

That playoff game at Stony Brook Saturday will feature the former head lacrosse coach of Albany playing a key role for the Seawolves.

Yes, Stony Brook head football coach Chuck Priore fashioned a 9-8 record as the lacrosse coach at Albany in 1986.

But wait, there’s more to that story. Priore is a 1982 graduate of Albany. He started at fullback for three season for the Great Danes, and he began his football coaching career there as an assistant coach. And there was that one year leading lacrosse.

The other interesting note for me comes from the bracket itself. Once again, Southern Conference teams could be paired against each other in the third round. If Georgia Southern and Appalachian State both win on Dec. 3, they will meet in Statesboro on Dec. 10. That worked for the Eagles last year when they won the rematch with Wofford after losing to the Terriers in the regular season.