ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – The Elizabeth City State University football team begins the 2025 season with a matchup on the road against the Chowan University Hawks, tonight at 6 pm. ECSU Football enters a new era with head coach Adrian Jones taking the helm.

New Era Under Coach Adrian Jones
Elizabeth City State embarks on the 2025 football season under the leadership of Adrian Jones, who steps into the role after a successful tenure at Shaw and notable coaching roles elsewhere. The Vikings aim to improve upon last year's 3–7 overall record and 1–6 in CIAA play as the program enters a fresh chapter.

Season Outlook & Conference Landscape
The CIAA has shuffled into Super Region 1 for 2025, featuring a 10-game regular-season format without divisions. The conference champion will secure an 8-team playoff berth, with the championship game returning to Durham, North Carolina. In the CIAA preseason poll, ECSU was picked ninth.

2025 Schedule & Key Matchups
The Vikings kick off the Jones Era with back-to-back road games:

• August 30 – at Chowan
• September 6 – at Hampton
  ECSU then returns home for four of its next five games, including:
• September 13 – vs. Johnson C. Smith (welcome back to Roebuck Stadium)
• September 20 – Down East Viking Classic vs. Fayetteville State (in Rocky Mount)
• November 8 – Homecoming/Senior Day vs. Bluefield State (Roebuck Stadium)

Scouting the Hawks
The Conference Carolinas officially relaunches football this fall — the league hadn't hosted the sport since 1974–75. Chowan enters a pivotal 2025 season under third-year head coach Paul Johnson. After a challenging 3–7 overall finish (2–5 in Gulf South Conference play) last season, the Hawks are banking on their experienced leaders to drive a turnaround. Senior wide receiver Jakobe Lane, a GSC First Team All-Conference selection, and graduate QB Maurice Smith are set to be the offensive catalysts. Chowan's 10-game schedule packs a punch early, opening with two home matchups against ECSU and then against West Alabama on September 6, before a high-profile September 20 clash with reigning GSC champion Valdosta State.

"Chowan was pretty good last year," said ECSU head coach Adrian Jones. "Their record doesn't show how good they were but they got better and better as the year went on."

History vs. Chowan
The ECSU–Chowan matchup has become a competitive and spirited fixture since their first meeting on August 30, 2008—when Elizabeth City State delivered a commanding 55–3 victory in Chowan's inaugural CIAA game. Over the years, ECSU has maintained the upper hand in the series, holding a 9-5 all-time advantage as of September 7, 2024. Memorable moments include a dramatic 37–31 overtime win by ECSU in 2013 and a dominant 54–8 triumph by Chowan at Roebuck Stadium in 2022. In their most recent encounter, the Vikings edged out the Hawks 12–9 at home, continuing their strong home performance in the rivalry.

Offensive Outlook
Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Toryeon Hester guides an offense highlighted by returning playmakers.

At wide receiver, ECSU boasts a deep receiving corp. Returning Junior Terrance Holland looks to build on last season's strong campaign, snagging 24 receptions for 272 yards and five TD's. Holland was also named to the All-CIAA preseason team, racking up nearly 600 return yards last season including a season-high 118 yards against Shaw.  Senior EJ Gatling (5'8", 170 lbs) and redshirt junior Ka'Trez Bracey (6'3", 200 lbs) enter their first season as new additions at ECSU, adding experience and depth to the receiving corps. Freshmen tight ends Joe Griffin (6'3", 220 lbs) and Bellot Gene (6'5", 240 lbs) look to contribute to the passing game, while also sealing the edge and adding to the ground attack.

The backfield is led by power runner Traquan Johnson (6'0", 230 lbs), a junior transfer from Shaw, and Rashard Biggs (5'9", 205 lbs), a redshirt junior with the ability to break one open. Senior Amir Pittman-Williams (5'11", 225 lbs) could provide an immediate impact as a change-of-pace bruiser.

At quarterback, ECSU has competition that should sharpen the offense. Kofi Kwaw (6'2", 210 lbs, junior) brings experience, while sophomore Jordan McClure and sophomore Navian Hilliard give the Vikings depth and dual-threat ability. Christopher Perkins is a transfer from Shaw that could also compete for the QB spot, a capable WR that can play QB and could add more dual-threat ability. 

Up front, the Vikings feature an offensive line with size and developing chemistry. Anchored by junior Toriono Combs (6'1", 315 lbs) and sophomores Robert Magwood (6'0", 330 lbs) and Robert Caldwell (6'5, 270), this unit has the bulk to establish the ground game. Young additions like Anton Chavis (6'3", 310 lbs, freshman) signal a bright future in the trenches.

"Coach (Toryeon) Hester is our offensive coordinator and he's done a great job playing with the toys that we've got on offense, a lot of speed, a lot of electrifying guys that can take the roof off, catch the ball five yards and take it 85 yards," Jones said.

Defensive Outlook
First-year Defensive Coordinator Andre George takes the reins of a unit loaded with experience and versatility.

Defensively, the Vikings lean on veteran leadership and an infusion of young talent. Linebacker TreShaun Harris (6'1", 215 lbs) returns as a redshirt junior and defensive anchor, supported by sophomore Wilbert Smith IV (6'1", 230 lbs). The linebacker corps is expected to be one of ECSU's most physical groups.

In the secondary, the Vikings feature length and speed. Redshirt senior Sterling Chavis (5'10", 200 lbs) and senior D'Andre Tolson (6'1", 185 lbs) provide experience, while young players like freshman Jayden Drayton (6'2", 185 lbs) and sophomore Jordan Jones (6'2", 180 lbs) bring athletic upside.

The defensive line has depth, highlighted by redshirt senior Tavias Higgs (6'2", 240 lbs) and sophomore Henry Hicks (6'2", 280 lbs). Freshman Ny'Quaveon Davis (6'0", 340 lbs) adds serious size in the interior.

Special Teams
Field position can impact the game tremendously, with special teams a strength of this ECSU squad. Special Teams Coordinator Tyrone Glanton will rely on the CIAA's top punter, Darius Satterfield, who enters the season as a preseason All-CIAA selection. Long snapper AJ Bartolotta and return specialist Terrance Holland provide proven stability, while kickers Wyatt Jackson and Benjamin Turner look to add competition and reliability in the kicking game.

Fan and Media Takeaway
This year represents both a challenge and opportunity as the Vikings navigate a tough schedule with a new head coach. While preseason projections place ECSU toward the lower tier of the CIAA, improvements in special teams and home field advantage at Roebuck could spark momentum. Key matchups, especially the Down East Viking Classic and the home opener against Johnson C. Smith, could define early season perception.
  Preview Snapshot

Category	Highlight
New Head Coach	Adrian Jones begins his tenure at ECSU.
Conference Setting	CIAA in Super Region 1; 10-game schedule; playoff structure introduced
Preseason Outlook	FSC poll ranks ECSU 9th; Special teams praised (Holland & Satterfield)
Key Games	Season openers on the road (Chowan, Hampton); Home opener vs. Johnson C. Smith; Down East Viking Classic
Home Venue	Roebuck Stadium, capacity 5,000—it remains a central Vikings asset

With first-year head coach Adrian Jones at the helm, Elizabeth City State University looks to build on its foundation of veteran leadership and promising newcomers in 2025. Anchored by a disciplined defense, an offense loaded with playmakers, and elite special teams talent, the Vikings are poised to compete in every phase of the game as they chase a return to CIAA prominence.

Fans can follow the action all season long by visiting ECSUVikings.com for schedules, tickets, and game-day updates. Don't miss your chance to support the Vikings as they take the field this fall.