JACKSON — Today’s second round NCAA Division III playoff game at Millsaps College will match two All-America candidates at quarterback in a noon showdown.

Millsaps’ Juan Joseph has led the Majors to an 11-0 record and its first playoff victory in 33 years after last week’s 51-26 rout of LaGrange College at Harper Davis Field. Joseph, who has passed for 3,130 yards this season, is a finalist for the Conerly Trophy, given annually to the top college football player in Mississippi.

Washington & Jefferson (9-1) comes to Jackson led by one of the top quarterbacks in Division III, Bobby Swallow (253 of 382, 3,305 yards and 36 TDs.)

Millsaps coach Mike Dubose is impressed.

“They have a great quarterback who throws the ball extremely well. In that way, they are very similar to us,” Dubose said.

Washington & Jefferson is also a playoff veteran in the Division III ranks.

“It’s an outstanding program. I think they’ve been to the playoffs 40 times and their coach Mike Sirianni ranks third in Division III in winning percentage.,” Dubose said.

The Majors are seeking their first-ever, second-round win. They have gone 26-6 under Dubose, which includes a first-round appearance in 2006.

This Majors’ team is Dubose’s best since his 1999 Alabama squad that won the Southeastern Conference championship and went to the Orange Bowl against Michigan.

“I thought overall we played well against LaGrange. We scored 51 points against a quick defense, and with the lone exception of one series, I thought we played well on defense,” Dubose said.

The Majors defense is led by senior cornerback Marcus Harris who was named to the All Southern Intercollegiate Conference team this week. Harris, a former Vicksburg High star, has five interceptions this season and 11 for his career.

Former Gator Marcus Stokes starts at defensive tackle and former St. Aloysius lineman Jordan Granville starts at center.

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Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com.