Sports

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

MC, Millsaps near postseason berths

Mississippi College and Millsaps can clinch Division III playoff berths this weekend.

The Majors (5-3, 3-1 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) can clinch a third straight league title with a victory over Sewanee University today at 1 p.m.

MC (7-1, 5-1), ranked 17th nationally, sits two wins away from capturing the American Southwest Conference title. The Choctaws entertain Howard Payne at 4 p.m. at Robinson-Hale Stadium.

Quarterback Adam Shaffer leads a high-powered MC offense that can score points at will.

Millsaps had a tougher road to overcome. The Majors overcame the loss of All-SCAC linebacker Lee Klein of St. Stanislaus to injury. Also, Coach Mike Dubose’s wife, Polly, is battling breast cancer.

@BR Body bold Lede colon:Alcorn State at Texas Southern: The Braves (4-3, 3-2 SWAC) need a victory to stay tied with idle Jackson State (2-5, 3-2) atop the Eastern Division standings.

Quarterback Tim Buckley continues to have a strong season for the Braves, whose title hopes could be decided on Nov. 21 in their “Soul Bowl’’ battle against Jackson State at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

@BR Body bold Lede colon:Mississippi Valley State at Grambling: The Delta Devils (2-5, 1-3 SWAC) are in a tough stretch of their season.

Quarterback Paul Roberts of Gulfport, considered one of the SWAC’s top passers, has battled an ankle injury for the past month. He’s missed the last two games.

@BR Body bold Lede colon:Belhaven at Lambuth University: The Blazers (5-3 overall, 3-0 Mid-South Division) are making their own noise to clinch a NAIA playoff berth. The winner of this game take sole possession of first place in the South Division.

Defensive back Tramaine Brock of Long Beach intercepted two passes last week against Cumberland University, and the Minnesota transfer has performed well for the Blazers.

“I feel that we can play with anybody,” said Blazers coach Joseph Thrasher, a Vancleave native.

@BR Body bold Lede colon:Delta State at Arkansas Tech: The Statesmen (4-4, 4-3 Gulf South Conference) continues to play out a disappointing season, one in which they harbored Division II title aspirations.

The Statesmen have struggled offensively all season long, especially at the quarterback position.