SALEM, Va. (WFXR) – The CIAA Championship game is taking place this weekend in Salem, and back in defending their title are the Virginia Union Panthers going up against Virginia State.
Earlier in the season, Virginia State University defeated the Panthers 35-28 and now the two teams are meeting in the postseason for the first time in 93 years.
Virginia State head football coach Dr. Henry Frazier III said, “Everybody had to go through something, you know, and we made it quite a few season adjustments when we were two and three, everyone wrote us off and we’ve been on a five-game winning streak. We understand exactly what the mission was.”
Virginia State finished the 2024 regular season with an overall record of 7-3 and 6-1 in conference play.
“We’re in the championship game, which was our goal at the beginning of the season. I’m not surprised we’re here. This was always our plan was always the mission and that’s trying to bring home championship,” said coach Frazier.
The same record goes for Virginia Union, but this year they’re looking to go back-to-back.
VA Union head coach Alvin Parker said, “We played this season as the champs, you know, and I think we’re the champs. It’s just somebody else’s. So but, you know, it definitely was a challenge. But, you know, again, that’s what the game is all about. You know, we had to get the opportunity for them from a standpoint to get back to Salem.
Coach Parker added that this year’s team had what it took to get back to the title game.
“They definitely showed hard work and dedication throughout the season. I think, you know, we got a lot of guys that were here last year, you know, so they knew the landscape, they knew how to treat it would go. They knew how to, you know, this week what this week will be about. So but now it’s sort of put on the table because, well, when the championship,” said coach Parker.
The battle between the two takes place Saturday at Salem Stadium, kickoff is at 3 p.m.