RFC Summer Semester--West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

Website

2011 Final Standings

Looking back: In what can best be described as the so-called "silly season" in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), this intrastate NCAA Division II Super Region 1 league produced a conference champion (Concord) that went winless in non-conference action (0-3), but lost just one league contest, a nine-win team that lost its final two games of the season (West Virginia Wesleyan), another nine-game winner that lost back-to-back games at mid-season, yet ended 2011 on a five-game winning streak (Shepherd), two more teams that went winless outside of the WVIAC, yet finished with a winning record (5-3) in conference play (Charleston, Glenville State), not to mention a team that won seven games overall, but could only manage a .500 record in league action (Fairmont State).  Oh, and there were three teams (Seton Hill, West Liberty, and West Virginia State) that all finished last season with just one win a piece, just for good measure.

Even when the dust finally settled on that silly 2011 season, it was another team that finished with seven wins overall (Concord) that took home the WVIAC title.  As the No. 6 seed entering the D-II playoffs, the Mountain Lions were the league's lone representative when postseason play rolled.  They suffered a tough, season-ending loss to Kutztown, 17-14.

One more thing.  Prior to last season, the WVIAC had at least one team win at least 10 or games in a single season from 2005-2010. 

Looking ahead: Will 2012 produce even more silliness, with an unlikely champion like Concord emerging to the top of the heap?  Or will a team like Shepherd or West Virginia Wesleyan step up, and lead the pack?  Those are questions that will have to be answered throughout the upcoming season, huh?

2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)

1. Shepherd (9-2):  Despite a 4-0 start, as well as a 5-0 finish, to the 2011 season, it was that two-game losing streak at mid-season that forced the Rams to sit at home come playoff time. Both of those losses, to Concord and West Virginia Wesleyan, came on the road.  They'll play host to both the Mountain Lions and Bobcats on successive weekends in 2012 (September 29 and October 6).

2. West Virginia Wesleyan (9-2):  With a 9-0 record, all of the stars appeared to be lined up for the Bobcats to a least have an undefeated regular season, and advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs.  Then the unthinkable happened.  They were upset by Charleston on November 5, followed by a season-ending setback at Concord a week later.  Both losses proved to derail the Bobcats postseason hopes.  Now, it'll be interesting to see if they can win the games that count, in November. Lucky for these "Cats", they'll have a chance at payback when they play host to Charleston and Concord on the final two weeks of the regular season.

3. Concord (7-4):  After winning their first WVIAC championship since 1990, the Mountain Lions will surely have the big bullseye on their backs in 2012, as one of the highlights of this year's schedule include a home game against D-II semifinalist Winston-Salem State on September 8, as well as a visit to FCS Liberty on October 20.  Looks like the Mountain Lions won't be sneaking up on anyone.


4. Fairmont State (7-4):  The Fighting Falcons started the 2011 season at 5-1, but faltered down the stretch, losing three of their final five games. It'll be interesting to see if they can finish the 2012 season better than they started.


5. Glenville State (5-6):  The Pioneers lost five of their six contests of 2011 by 10 points or more.  They'll be looking for their first conference championship since 2008, as well as their first NCAA Division II playoff appearance since 1997, when they were crushed by eventual national runner-up New Haven, 47-7.  Getting there, though, might prove to be a tough task, as the Pioneers will play five of their six games on the road, including four straight away games between September 22 and October 13, to start the 2012 season.  Oh, and they also must pay visits to West Virginia Wesleyan and Shepherd along the way. Ouch!


6. Charleston (5-6):  After a dismal 1-6 start to 2011, the Golden Eagles were well, golden down the stretch, ending the season on a four-game winning streak, including that upset win over West Virginia Wesleyan on November 5.  They hope that strong finish will carry over into 2012.  They'll be tested quickly in conference play with the league opener at defending WVIAC champion Concord on September 15, followed by a home game against Shepherd a week later.


7.  Seton Hill (1-10): A 26-22 win over West Liberty on October 29 ended a 13-game losing streak for the Griffins, only to have a new skid start the following week, that brought 2011 to a close with back-to-back losses.


8. West Liberty (1-10):  It appears that the magical playoff run of 2009 in which they finished 11-2 is merely a memory for the Hilltoppers, as they enter the 2012 season having lost five straight games. It was also the first losing season for the Hilltoppers under head coach Roger Waialae. It'll be interesting to see if they can re-capture the magic of three years ago.

9. West Virginia State (1-9):  The Yellow Jackets also limped to the finish line to finish 2011, carrying a six-game skid into 2012.