Author : Luke Winstel
Jackson State (12-0) and North Carolina Central (9-2) will square off in the Celebration Bowl on December 17th. This year’s edition is another sellout and the fastest sellout in the game's history.
National storylines have emerged around this game. Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders has been in the news after accepting a position as the head coach at Colorado. Sanders was not at the pre-event press conference but will be coaching in the game for JSU. Several JSU players have already hit the transfer portal, or likely will in the coming months. One of the biggest potential portal prospects, former five-star recruit Travis Hunter Jr. will be with the team for the game.
In the press conference leading into the game, Celebration Bowl executive director John T. Grant said, “I want to acknowledge Deion Sanders. In his time at Jackson State, the commitments that he made to elevate HBCU football- he has done that. To bring attention to the platforms- he has done that. To demonstrate to you can be seen, demonstrate your talents, and move onto the next level. We are grateful for that. If you’re out there listening, Coach Sanders, thank you.”
The Celebration Bowl team also announced a newly created Celebration Bowl Hall of Fame. Tarik Cohen will be the first inductee into the hall of fame. He’s a former North Carolina A&T and Chicago Bears running back. Cohen rushed for three touchdowns and 295 yards in the inaugural Celebration Bowl, leading North Carolina A&T to a 41-34 win over Alcorn State. He was the Offensive MVP of that iconic game.
Jackson State running backs coach Gary Harrell represented the program in the opening press conference. He quickly praised his opponent, “We’ve been watching Central all year. We knew they could get to this spot today. The quarterback is the offensive player of the year; they had the defensive player of the year, and they have the head coach of the year. It’s the same for us.”
Harrell also noted that NC Central is a top-ten team in FCS third-down conversions and total offense. He said that NC Central’s chemistry and red zone defense stand out to him.
Harrell mentioned that the JSU team feels like there is unfinished business after the team lost the Celebration Bowl game last year. He added, “You can go 12-0, but it puts so much damper into your soul- that last game really is a completion. Last year really motivated us to get back to this point to where we are.”
The running back coach commented on Deion Sanders’ situation and said losing the Celebration Bowl last year really bothered Sanders. Harrell said that Sanders “wouldn’t miss it for the world” and will be heavily involved in the team’s activities at the game.
North Carolina Central head coach Trei Oliver has built a strong program through high school recruiting. He believes in creating a strong foundation and is proud of his staff’s development of players in the program, especially quarterback Davius Richard and Khalil Baker- both were MEAC players of the year on their side of the ball.
Oliver praised JSU, stating, “This is probably the most talented team I’ve seen in a while – since the 2016 Grambling team, across the board, even at long snapper. Travis Hunter has a lot of stars… that dude is talented. Folks are gonna get their money’s worth.”
Matchup to watch: Jackson State’s defense was the top in the SWAC, while North Carolina Central had the best offense in the MEAC.
This must-watch football matchup featuring Oliver’s strong NC Central program and a JSU squad led for the last time by Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter will air on ABC at noon live from Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.