INDIANAPOLIS -- West Liberty (10-1, 8-0) makes their first NCAA football playoff appearance, and the school's first post-season trip since 1971, as the top seed in Super Region I.
The WVIAC champion Toppers, who are one of 24 schools selected by the NCAA Division II Football Committee for the championship, will host either fourth-seeded East Stroudsburg or fifth-seeded Edinboro on Saturday, November 21 at noon.
The Toppers fell 42-30 to Edinboro in the season opener for their lone loss of the season. West Liberty closed out the regular season on Saturday with their tenth consecutive victory, a 64-42 decision over Concord.
Super Region I action begins next Saturday when Edinboro travels to East Stroudsburg and Fayetteville State heads to two-time defending regional champion California (PA). Both contests will kick off at noon. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champion Shippensburg is the second seed and receives the other first round bye.
West Liberty's previous playoff trips occured in the 1970 and 1971 NAIA post-seasons. The Toppers lost 12-6 to Wofford in 1970 and 25-2 to West Alabama in 1971.
9-2 Charleston fell just short of making the field. The Golden Eagles' lone defeats were a 48-42 overtime loss to West Liberty and a 14-12 squeaker against Glenville State.
NCAA Division II Football Championship
Super Region I Bracket:
Saturday, November 14 (first round)
#6 Fayetteville State, NC (8-3) at #3 California, PA (8-3), 12:00 p.m.
#5 Edinboro, PA (8-3) at #4 East Stroudsburg, PA (8-3), 12:00 p.m.
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Saturday, November 21 (second round)
Fayetteville State/Cal winner at #2 Shippensburg, PA (9-2), 12:00 p.m.
Edinboro/East Stroudsburg winner at #1 West Liberty, WV (10-1), 12:00 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 28 (national quarterfinals, regional finals) game hosted by highest remaining seed
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Saturday, December 5 (national semifinals---campus sites)
Super Region 1 champion vs. Super Region 4 champion
Super Region 2 champion vs. Super Region 3 champion
Saturday, December 12 (national championship @ Florence, AL)