II Football Championship Field has been announced, and it features a historic five HBCU teams, including two major division II HBCU conferences.
This marks the most HBCU selections in the history of the II football tournament, which was surpassed by no one before this year.
Here is every HBCU football team selected for the II football playoffs.
Super District 1
Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls
Last appearance: never
For the first time in school history, the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls will play in the first game as a two-seed in the super regional against Frostburg State in the first round against Frostburg State.
Johnson C. Smith made the II Playoff after defeating Virginia Commonwealth 45-21 to claim its first CIAA championship since 1969.
The win also improved the Golden Bulls’ overall record to 10-1, marking the team’s first winning season.
The Golden Bulls will face Frostburg State, the first Division II champion in school history since claiming their first Mountain East conference championship.
Since joining Region II in Division III, Frostburg State has posted a winning record in each of its first seven seasons, including a 9-2 overall record this year.
Virginia Union Pantaners
Last seen: 2024
For the fourth straight season, the Virginia Commonwealth Panthers will compete in the II Playoffs, this time in the first round as a three-seed California (PA).
Virginia Union is one of only five Division II programs to be selected to the DII championship field each of the past four years.
The Panthers advanced to their third straight CIAA championship game after posting a 9-1 regular season record. But losing Johnson C. Smith in the title game, they were down to three.
California (PA) is making its second straight Playoff II appearance, entering with a 9-3 overall record.
Last season, California found its deepest playoff run in 15 years as it advanced to the regional finals after sweeping the first two rounds over East Stroudsburg and Ashland.
Super District 2
Albany State Golden Rams
Last appearance: 2021
Super District 2 will go through the Albany State Golden Rams, who were selected as the one seed in the region. This marks the third time in four seasons as a member of the SIAC (Benedict, 2022 and 2023).
Albany State enters the Division II playoffs with a perfect 10-0 record against Division II upsets, including a 10-1 overall record.
in the title game after winning their first SIAC championship since 2021, 22-16.
In the first round, the Golden Rams will host Valdosta State, who completed a miraculous turnaround to secure a spot in the playoffs.
Starting the season with a 2-4 record, Valdosta State won its last six contests, including a victory over West Florida in the final to win the Gulf South championship.
The win effectively secured Albany State a number one seed in West Florida, the first seed in Super District 2.
Handcuffs
Last seen: 2023
For the third time in the last four years, the Benedictine Tigers will compete in the playoffs following a first-round sweep.
The last time Benedikt Dii played wing was in the playoffs, he was knocked out in the second round in a 23-6 loss.
The Tigers made it to the playoffs after qualifying for the playoffs after finishing the regular season with a 9-1 record, with a spot in the SIAC championship game in the final week.
The wing, on the other hand, is making its second straight appearance in the tournament, boasting a 9-2 overall record.
Last season, the Wings were eliminated in the first round of the Virginia Commonwealth Playoffs, 34-31 in overtime.
Kentucky State
Last appearance: never
Kentucky State is the postsecondary frontier for the first time in school history, rounding out the most selections to appear in the SIAC’s field in a single playoff.
The Thorobreds enter the DII tournament having won their last eight games, coming off a 35-7 win on Saturday.
They enter the tournament with a 9-2 record, their most wins in a season since 1935.
Kentucky State begins the playoffs on the road against South Atlantic Conference (Sac) champion Newberry.
Newberry downed Carson-Newman 28-21 to claim its third championship in the last five seasons and clinch an automatic Division II playoff berth.
