By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports
If you’ve been following my column for a while, you already know how I feel about overlapping sports seasons. Back in the day, athletes didn’t just stick to one sport — football, basketball, baseball, and track & field were all fair game. The transition from one season to another was smoother, simpler, and far less chaotic. Of course, that was high school — so comparing that to today’s world of professional sports is a stretch.
But still, having the World Series, NFL, NBA, pro soccer, and multiple college football divisions all vying for attention at the same time can be downright frustrating. Monday night was a perfect example. I had to make the impossible choice: watch Game 3 of the World Series or the NFL matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and a Washington Commanders team missing injured starting quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Don’t fall out with me, but I went with the World Series — the Dodgers and their storied legacy were calling. The former Brooklyn now L.A. team had split the first two games in Toronto, setting up what looks like a competitive seven-game showdown. Besides, given the current political climate — and the Canadian government suing “47” — let’s just say my baseball loyalties were easy to justify.
HBCU Football Heats Up
While Major League Baseball battles for the crown, HBCU football delivered its own share of drama, upsets, and injuries.
In the inaugural Las Vegas Classic, Grambling stunned Jackson State 26-24 in a nail-biter that reshuffled the SWAC standings. The upset gave Alabama State new life in the race for the Eastern Division title after the Hornets crushed Alabama A&M 56-13 in the Magic City Classic in Birmingham.
Jackson State’s star quarterback Jacobian Morgan left the game early with a lower leg injury and was later seen in a walking boot. Grambling’s standout QB C’zavian Teasett was also sidelined late in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury. His status for next week remains uncertain.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Jackson State heads to Tallahassee to face a proud Florida A&M Rattlers squad fresh off a homecoming victory over Alcorn State. Meanwhile, Alabama State, now tied with JSU atop the East, will hit the road to face the undefeated Prairie View A&M Panthers, leaders of the West Division.
MEAC in Motion
Over in the MEAC, the competition is tightening. Delaware State shocked North Carolina Central 35-26, leaving both teams with 5-3 overall records. That victory created a three-way tie at the top — Delaware State, South Carolina State, and Howard — each sitting at 1-0 in conference play.
Meanwhile, NCCU, Morgan State, and Norfolk State now find themselves looking up from the 0-1 column. With the season entering its crucial stretch, the race to Atlanta for the Celebration Bowl berth is heating up fast.
“Hey Hey, Blue and Gold!”
And speaking of heating up — Albany State is on fire. Led by head coach Quinn Gray, the former Dillard and FAMU great, the Golden Rams dominate the SIAC, following a statement win over Benedict College 31-3. Albany State’s only blemish this season came at the hands of FCS powerhouse Florida A&M.
As Albany State alumnus Calvin Lamar likes to say, “Hey hey, the Blue and Gold, you look so Big and Bold.”
If the Rams keep this up, they just might live up to that mantra all the way to the conference crown.
Until next week…
