Division II notebook: Livingstone puts six on All-CIAA preseason football team

That wacky, wacky CIAA.

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association held its preseason press conference last week at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va.

Winston-Salem State was chosen to finish first while Livingstone was picked ninth — dead last.

So the Rams have more talent than the Blue Bears? Not if you look at the preseason All-CIAA team.

The Rams had five players selected. The Blue Bears six.

There’s no doubt Livingstone has enough individual talent to improve on last year’s 3-8 season, one that started 0-7.

Senior leadership could provide the turnaround. Of the six Blue Bears listed, four are in their last season.

Carl Jones and Shannon Gainey will give coach Greg Richardson a chance to score each and every time they touch the football.

Jones could be the CIAA’s top back this season. The former North Iredell star suffered with injuries last season.

Gainey can do it all. He was named as the top kick returner in the preseason but he is also a very good receiver and runner.

One of Livingstone’s weaknesses in 2000 was its young line. But on the preseason team is Derrick Reynolds, a 6-2, 295-pound offensive lineman.

The fourth senior on All-CIAA is Michael “Premier” Posey. Like Gainey, the defensive back hails from Greensboro.

Demetrius Rudolph, a 6-3, 260-pounder from Virginia Beach, represented Livingstone on the defensive line.

Jason Ocean leaped onto the scene last year and became the CIAA Rookie of the Year. He was named at a linebacker.

Following Winston-Salem State were Virginia Union, Virginia State, N.C. Central, fayetteville State, J.C. Smith, Bowie State, Elizabeth City State and Livingstone.