Benedict, Newberry football teams learn NCAA Division II playoff paths
Benedict College football is headed back to the postseason, while Newberry got a home game as the NCAA Division II playoff brackets were announced Sunday night.
Benedict earned an at-large berth and is the No. 5 seed in Super Region 2. The Tigers travel to Wingate in the first round.
Benedict is making its third playoff appearance in the last four years and first under second-year head coach Ron Dickerson. The Tigers are 0-2 in their two previous playoff appearances.
Benedict is 9-2 on the 2025 season, with both losses coming against Albany State — including the 22-16 defeat in the SIAC championship game Saturday.
Newberry is the No. 3 seed in Super Region 2 and will host Kentucky State in a first-round game. The Wolves (9-1) earned an automatic bid for the playoffs by winning the South Atlantic Conference championship.
It is the first time Newberry has hosted a playoff game since 2016.
Former Brookland-Cayce High standout Reed Charpia is Newberry’s quarterback and has thrown for 2,682 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Benedict and Newberry are two of three South Carolina schools to make the Division II playoffs. North Greenville also made it after defeating UNC Pembroke, 34-20, on Saturday in the Conference Carolinas Bowl to earn the league’s automatic bid. The Trailblazers are in No. 7 in Region 2 and open the playoffs at West Florida.
The Division II playoffs expanded from 28 to 32 teams this year and eliminated first-round byes. The winners of the four super regions will be reseeded and meet in the semifinals. The championship game is Dec. 20 in McKinney, Texas.
NCAA Division II Football Playoffs
Times TBA
Nov. 21
Super Region 1
Bentley at Kutztown, 1 p.m.
Assumption at Indiana (Pa.), 1 p.m.
Frostburg State at Johnson C. Smith, 1 p.m.
California (Pa.) at Virginia Union, 1 p.m.
Super Region 2
Valdosta State at Albany State, 1 p.m.
Benedict at Wingate, 1 p.m.
North Greenville at West Florida, 1 p.m.
Kentucky State at Newberry, 1 p.m.
Super Region 3
Northwood at Ferris State, 1 p.m.
Minnesota-Deluth at Ashland, 1 p.m.
Minnesota State-Mankato at Findlay, 2 p.m.
Truman State at University of Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
Super Region 4
Northwest Missouri State at Harding, 2 p.m.
Chadron State at Pittsburg State, 2 p.m.
Western Colorado at Central Washington, 4 p.m.
UT Permian Basin at Colorado State-Pueblo, 3 p.m.
This story was originally published November 16, 2025 at 6:12 PM.
