FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fayetteville State Head Coach Richard Hayes Jr. has turned the Broncos into a perennial contender within the CIAA. FSU is the preseason pick to win the South Division for a fourth consecutve year. 

The success during Hayes' watch cannot be denied, but there's still one more step to achieve. The Broncos have not won a CIAA championship since 2009, but this could be there year they climb over that hump.

For Hayes, his old-school mentality remains. Defense and special teams will always be his forte, but he knows he's got a lot of weapons on offense.

The Broncos open their season Saturday afternoon against Elizabeth City State in the Down East Viking Football Classic.