NCAA Div.II Championship: ECSU ready for playoff opener

California (Pa.) Vulcans (9-2) vs. Elizabeth City State Vikings (8-3)
• When: Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011
• Where: California, Pa.
• Stadium: Adamson Stadium (6,500)
• Kickoff: 12 p.m.
• Live Radio: WCAL (91.9 FM) I WJPA (95.3 FM) I WRVS (89.9 FM)
• Live Video: Click here
• Live Stats: Click here
• Game Notes (.pdf)
• All-Time Series: First Meeting



Elizabeth City, North Carolina - Elizabeth City State’s path to a second appearance in NCAA Division II football playoffs in six years very much mirrors the first.

Both teams lost in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship game. Both were pleasantly surprised to learn the next day that their seasons would be extended, receiving No. 4 seeds. That, however, is where it ends.

Coming off a 38-18 loss to Winston-Salem State in the CIAA championship game last week, the Vikings head to California University of Pennsylvania today to face the No. 5 seeded Vulcans in the first round of the Division II playoffs. This is ECSU’s first playoff appearance since 2006 and third overall.

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Linebackers have stepped up for Cal

California, Pennsylvania - When Brett Diamond went down for the season with a knee injury, California University's football team suddenly had a major hole in its linebacking group. Diamond was the Vulcans' leading tackler last season with 64 and tied for second in quarterback sacks with 41/2. More important, Diamond called the defensive alignments.

That's why the play of sophomore Brian Justice and redshirt freshman Spencer Lynn has been so important. Justice and Spencer have combined for 163 tackles, three quarterback sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

"We were anticipating that Brett would be the center post to our defense," said Cal head coach John Luckhardt. "(Lynn and Spencer) have gotten better and better. They both work hard and look at film all the time."

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