2018 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl Preview
ATLANTA, GA – The fourth annual 2018 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl will feature the 2018 SWAC champions Alcorn State Braves (9-3, 6-1 SWAC) and the 2018 MEAC champions North Carolina A&T State Aggies (9-2, MEAC 6-1).
The game is on Saturday, December 15 in Atlanta, Georgia at Mercedez-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is at 12:00 noon EST and will be aired live on ABC.
Saturday’s matchup will be a rematch of the inaugural Celebration Bowl in 2015 in which the Aggies defeated the Braves 41-34.
Alcorn State
Third-year Braves head coach and 2018 SWAC Coach of the Year Fred McNair leads the Braves into Saturday’s matchup after a 37-28 win over the Southern Jaguars in the SWAC Championship game on December 1. The Braves led the SWAC in most major statistical categories such as points (402), points allowed (255) and sacks (52).
North Carolina A&T State
The FCS Coaches Poll 11th ranked Aggies head to the Celebration Bowl after a 45-0 blowout victory against the North Carolina Central Eagles on November 17. Aggies head coach and 2018 MEAC Coach of the year Sam Washington brings the reigning Celebration Bowl Champions back to Atlanta in his first year under the helm.
Players to Watch
Aggies R-Sr. Running Back, #22 Marquell Cartwright
After backing up current Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen in his first two seasons, Cartwright has stepped into the spotlight for the Aggies. Cartwright has earned first team All-MEAC honors for two consecutive seasons in the MEAC.
Cartwright rushed the ball 184 times for 1,038 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns in the regular season. His 1,038 rushing-yard total made him the fourth running back in Aggies history to rush for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.
Braves R-Jr. Quarterback, #13 Noah Johnson
Johnson’s impressive 2018 campaign has earned him first team All-SWAC, SWAC Championship Game Offensive MVP and the 2018 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year.
In the regular season Johnson went 186-290 passing for 2,079 yards passing, eight interceptions and 15 passing touchdowns. He also rushed 130 times for 960 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. Johnson is a finalist for the HBCU Player of the Year, Walter Payton Award and C Spire Cornely Trophy.
Aggies R-Jr. Defensive End, #40 Darryl Johnson, Jr.
Johnson has wreaked havoc all season long for opponents. Johnson finished the regular season with 47 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, three pass break ups and one forced fumble.
Johnson’s impressive play this season earned him first team All-MEAC for the second consecutive year and the 2018 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year. Moreover, Johnson is a finalist for the HBCU Player of the Year.
Braves, Sr. Defensive Linemen, #55 Sterling Shippy
A first team 2018 All-SWAC defensive linemen, Shippy finished the regular season with 35 total tackles, eight sacks, five quarterback hurries, one pass break up, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
“Well I’ll tell you what, (Shippy) is a major concern,” Washington said when asked about Shippy in the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl Press Conference which was moderated by Samuel Crenshaw from CBS Atlanta Radio’s Sports Radio 92.9 The Game. “That’s what he is. That young man is amazing. How he gets off the football, how he uses his hands exceptionally well and he play with determination.”
Keys to the Game
Coming out Strong
The Celebration Bowl will be the Aggies first game in 28 days. It’s critical that the Aggies come out with energy from opening kickoff. In his final game as an Aggie, R-Sr. quarterback Lamar Raynard will need to establish the passing game early to keep the Braves defensive honest and open running lanes for Cartwright. Look out for Aggies Jr. wide receiver Elijah Bell in the passing game.
Braves Offense v. Aggies Defense
Along with the Braves 3,000+ total yards quarterback, Noah Johnson, the Braves have first team 2018 All-SWAC and 2018 SWAC Newcomer of the Year Jr. running back De’Shawn Waller. The Atlanta native finished the regular season with 1048 rushing yards for 12 rushing touchdowns (and one receiving touchdown).
“They can run the football,” Washington said in the 2018 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.” “That’s one of the things that scare a defensive coach most. When a team is able and capable of running the football. Nothing super dynamic schematically. It’s Just run, block and we have to tackle.”
The Aggies defense will need to rely on their front seven, which is headlined by Darryl Johnson, to neutralize the Braves potent rushing attack.
“The front seven is really good,” McNair said in the 2018 Air Force Reserve Celebration Press Conference. That’s our challenge this whole week. Getting in preparation for those guys up front and they’re very long and they know how to play football. They got a lot of speed.”
Whichever side wins this matchup will have a huge effect on the winner of this ball game.
“I don’t know if you’re ready, but I’m ready.” Crenshaw said in the 2018 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl Press Conference. “Because I think we’re in for a great show.”