Games From Obscurity

Last GFO of the season… as you enjoy this video, just keep the alternate lyrics in mind.

In some ways, this is both a beginning and and end- the beginning of the Bowl Season, and the end of the “regular” season.  With that, let’s enjoy the beauty that is the HBCU Pioneer Bowl between the Tigers of Tuskegee vs the Vikings of Elizabeth City State.

We’ve met the 14th ranked Golden Tigers before; since then, they’ve managed a 9-2 record, including a win over Alabama State where ASU ended up with negative 57 yards rushing (Hmmm… wonder if they’re using Mich1gAAn’s playbook?). The Thanksgiving Day win was Tuskegee’s 100th of the decade, and led to their 28th SIAC championship. Definitely something to sing about.

Elizabeth City will be making their first Pioneer Bowl appearance, having completed their season as 7-3 champions of the CIAA. Hailing from Elizabeth City North Carolina, the motto of “Elevate Higher, Emerge Stronger” seems to be something that our friend Ed Viesturs can agree with. Ironically, though, the city’s location is not amongst the mountains of NC, but along the eastern seaboard on a Harbor of Hospitality. Founded in 1891, ECSU has sought to prepare students for service as teachers across North Carolina and the nation.  Famous alumni include a guy that I’m not really all that fond of.

In our TWTW, I hinted that we would be highlighting “Ohio’s true dynasty”. With that, we visit the third round of the Division Three playoffs, where the Albright Lions meet  the Purple Raiders of Mount Union.

The 11-1 Lions are representing both their institution and the Middle Atlantic Conference, and are entering uncharted territory for their program. Based in Reading PA, Albright College began as Union Seminary in 1856, and is currently officially affiliated with the United Methodist Church. If there’s a buzz on campus, it’s probably being researched, and the students are certainly all very bright. You’ve got to wonder what their alma mater is, though… Here’s a guess. It’s because of Albright alum Brent Hurley that tBBC can bring you the cavalcade of chaos every week- he is the co-founder of YouTube. All hail, Lord Brent.

Their opponent, for those of you who haven’t been paying attention, is the most successful football program of the last two decades at any level, with 10 national championships and both a 55 and 54 game winning streak. They have played in 12 of the last 16 national championship games, only losing twice, and are the defending champs. In his 23 year tenure, coach Larry Keheres is 275-21-3, and has won 18 consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference titles. He is on track to be president of the American Football Coaches Association in 2010. They have outscored the opposition 570-97 this season, including the 62-14 win last week.

Also affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Mount Union was founded in Alliance Ohio in 1846. Their alumni include President William McKinley, Packers coach Dom Capers, Amnesty International executive directer Larry Cox, and a guy who’s having a pretty great season for the Colts and my fantasy football team.

And with that, we bid adieu to this feature until fall 2010. Thanks for reading.