Right here is probably the most intriguing matchup of the 2025 HBCU soccer season each week.
Week 0: North Carolina Central v. Southern
The HBCU soccer season begins because it does yearly, with the MEAC/SWAC Problem contested between North Carolina Central and Southern. Past this being a yearly custom, each groups concerned are anticipated to be high contenders of their respective conferences. Along with searching for a powerful begin to the season, North Carolina Central might be tasked with ending the MEAC’s three-game shedding streak on this sequence.
Week 1: Tuskegee v. Winston-Salem State
Within the ultimate sport of the primary full week of the 2025 HBCU soccer season, we get a historic Sunday night matchup between Tuskegee and Winston-Salem State within the Crimson Tails Traditional. Each Tuskegee and Winston-Salem State enter the season as sleepers of their respective conferences, following improved 2024 campaigns. This season-opening contest will function a litmus check for them of their quest for convention championship rivalry.
Honorable Point out: Prairie View A&M v. Texas Southern
Week 2: Virginia State v. Norfolk State
For the third yr in a row, Virginia State travels to Norfolk to play towards the Spartans, trying to break a tie within the sequence. In 2023, the Trojans pulled off an upset towards Norfolk State in a chaotic end, scoring 13 unanswered factors within the fourth quarter.
The Spartans evened the rating the next yr, tallying 467 offensive yards in a 28-23 win. We’re in for one more Recreation of the 12 months contender if this sport is something like the 2 contests because the sequence was revived.
Honorable Point out: Jackson State v. Southern Miss
Week 3: Fort Valley State v. Clark Atlanta
SIAC championship runner-up Clark Atlanta opens its convention schedule, welcoming high contender Fort Valley State. Final yr, these two groups clashed of their respective season opener, combining for 87 factors in a thriller that noticed Clark Atlanta finish a 13-game shedding streak.
Circumstances have modified for every crew with FVSU welcoming a wholly new teaching workers and the Panthers ushering in a brand new period with out star quarterback David Wright III. In a SIAC championship projected to be tight down the stretch, neither crew can afford a loss, which suggests we might get a repeat of their traditional matchup.
Honorable Point out: Miles v. Alabama State
Week 4: Virginia Union v. Johnson C. Smith
The reigning CIAA champion, Virginia Union Panthers, get their very first check of the season once they go up towards Johnson C. Smith. Though Virginia Union was supreme, repeating as CIAA champions, adopted by a historic efficiency within the Division II playoffs, Johnson C. Smith acquired the very best of them of their regular-season matchup.
This time, the Golden Bulls boast a a lot stronger roster, whereas the Panthers proceed with out their star working again, Jada Byers. Whereas Virginia Union could have the present of home-field benefit, getting previous the Golden Bulls might be an uphill climb of their quest for a three-peat.
Honorable Point out: Hampton v. Howard
Week 5: Jackson State v. Southern
In a rematch of final yr’s SWAC championship sport, Jackson State seems to increase its win streak over Southern within the 73rd version of the Boombox Traditional. Southern is trying to keep away from shedding a seventh consecutive loss to Jackson State, which might match its longest shedding streak on this sequence since 1983.
As well as, there’s a robust chance these two groups might match up once more with the SWAC title on the road. A robust efficiency or a potential win could possibly be an enormous confidence booster for Southern in a aggressive race for the SWAC West division title.
Honorable Point out: Fort Valley State v. Tuskegee
Week 6: Virginia State v. Johnson C. Smith
On the following cease of Johnson C. Smith’s revenge tour, they go up towards Virginia State for the primary time since they snatched their berth within the CIAA championship sport final season. Beginning the 2024 season an ideal 8-0, Johnson C. Smith wanted only one win in its ultimate two contests or a Virginia State loss to clinch a spot within the convention title sport.
This didn’t come to fruition for the Golden Bulls as they misplaced their ultimate two contests. On the identical time, the Trojans would declare the championship berth after beating the eventual champion Virginia Union of their regular-season finale. Although Johnson C. Smith is available in with the higher roster on paper, it will likely be a major hurdle for them towards a crew they haven’t crushed on the highway in over 20 years.
Honorable Point out: Norfolk State v. Hampton
Week 7: Clark Atlanta v. Albany State
Clark Atlanta options once more in what could possibly be an SIAC championship preview, this time towards perennial convention contender Albany State. Whereas the Panthers noticed many key gamers from final yr’s crew depart within the offseason, the Golden Rams’ core remained intact.
Gamers resembling reigning SIAC Freshman of the 12 months Tiant Wyche and All-SIAC quarterback Isaiah Knowles might be key to Albany State’s championship pursuits. This matchup might decide who will play for an SIAC championship in November. It’s positive to be an thrilling sport with offensive firepower on either side.
Honorable Point out: North Carolina Central v. Florida A&M
Week 8: Prairie View A&M v. Southern
The SWAC West could possibly be determined in every week eight matchup between the final two division champions, Prairie View A&M and Southern. Both PV or Southern has gained six of the earlier seven division championships, and the winner of the respective regular-season matchup will go on to assert the convention title berth.
After a down season, Prairie View returned to the drafting board, transferring on from head coach Bubba McDowell and hiring Tremaine Jackson. In the meantime, Southern underwent noticeable adjustments, together with shedding beginning quarterback Noah Bodden and longtime working again Kendric Rhymes. The Jaguars’ bid for a second straight division title could possibly be in jeopardy relying on the results of this sport.
Honorable Point out: Tuskegee v. Albany State
Week 9: Jackson State v. Grambling State
Jackson State has an opportunity to avenge a minor blemish from final season once they face Grambling State within the Las Vegas HBCU Traditional. Final season, Grambling State dismantled Jackson State 41-20, highlighted by 5 compelled turnovers and 20 unanswered factors within the second half.
Even after claiming a win within the Celebration Bowl, Jackson State comes into the yr with a a lot stronger roster. This sport, counting towards their convention document, might add depth that final yr’s matchup didn’t have.
Honorable Point out: Alabama A&M v. Alabama State
Week 10: Jackson State v. Florida A&M
One week later, Jackson State has one other essential convention matchup, going through Florida A&M in a matchup of the final two SWAC East division champions. Final season, Jackson State acquired revenge after shedding to Florida A&M for the primary time since becoming a member of the SWAC the earlier yr.
Regardless of their 2024 marketing campaign being their worst within the SWAC, the Rattlers gave the Tigers a tricky check. If FAMU comes again stronger this yr, this could possibly be an thrilling contest between the highest two contenders within the SWAC East.
Honorable Point out: Norfolk State v. Delaware State
Week 11: Albany State v. Fort Valley State
Within the ultimate week of the common season, we get a key SIAC championship-determining contest between Albany State and Fort Valley State. Of their ultimate regular-season sport final yr, Fort Valley State wanted a win over Albany State to clinch a spot within the convention title sport.
That didn’t come to move because the Golden Rams performed spoiler, securing a 20-15 win to knock the Wildcats out of title rivalry. Along with Fort Valley State looking for revenge, each groups are projected to be in place for a postseason spot by the tip of the common season. This sport’s end result could possibly be vital in deciding who performs for the convention championship.
Honorable Point out: Virginia Union v. Virginia State
Week 12: South Carolina State v. North Carolina Central
Like within the 2024 season, the MEAC title could possibly be determined when South Carolina State clashes with North Carolina Central. South Carolina State acquired the North Carolina Central of their final matchup, warding off a late rally to win 24-21. This win cleared the way in which for the Bulldogs to clinch the MEAC title and a berth within the Celebration Bowl.
Though each groups went by way of vital adjustments within the offseason, notably shedding their high respective offensive stars, Eric Phoenix and J’Mari Taylor, each groups are anticipated to be within the combine to win the convention. The truth that this sport is nearly at all times assured to provide drama is a bonus.
Honorable Point out: Texas Southern v. Southern
Week 13: Jackson State v. Alcorn State
The final full week of HBCU soccer within the Division II ranks sees the renewal of a storied rivalry between Jackson State and Alcorn State within the Soul Bowl. They’ve break up their final two matchups, although the Tigers’ win final season was far more decisive. If all issues go in keeping with plan, this needs to be a preview of this yr’s SWAC championship sport. A win might go a great distance for both crew to construct momentum with the postseason doubtlessly looming.
Honorable Point out: North Carolina Central v. Morgan State
Week 14: Southern v. Grambling State
The ultimate week of the common season concludes with the 52nd annual Bayou Traditional between Southern and Grambling State. Along with renewing a heated rivalry to culminate Thanksgiving weekend, this contest might doubtlessly have postseason implications.
Featured in a SWAC West Division with no clear favourite, a win on this sport could possibly be the distinction between clinching a spot within the convention championship or a untimely finish to the season. That is arguably probably the most historic rivalry in all of HBCU soccer and is assured to be a heated affair.
Honorable Point out: Alabama State v. Tuskegee
