Jada Byers keeps a rockin.’ The Panthers keep a rollin.’

There’s a pigskin party going on at Virginia Union University and the music is about to be cranked up to top volume.

On Saturday, VUU will play host to Chowan in a game likely to determine the CIAA Northern title and a berth in the CIAA championship game Nov. 12 in Salem.

Coach Alvin Parker’s Northsiders couldn’t be having more fun this fall. Following its 45-20 win at Lincoln, VUU is 8-0 overland, 6-0 in the CIAA and ranked 12th in all of Division II by D2football.com.

Sophomore sensation Byers rushed for 187 yards and four touchdowns at Lincoln and continues to lead Division II in rushing (1,560 yards) and TDs (18).

The 5-foot-7 whirlwind in Maroon and Steel is also a dangerous receiver. He has 12 catches for 113 yards and another two TDs via the air.

Meanwhile, Chowan (non-HBCU) kept in the hunt by shocking Bowie State, 21-15, at Bowie. The Hawks are 6-1 in CIAA play, but a head-to-head win over VUU would likely send the North Carolinians to Salem. VUU closes with a dicey assignment against a much improved Virginia State Nov. 5 while Chowan ends its regular season at downtrodden Elizabeth City.

To the nationally acclaimed Panthers’ credit, they might receive an NCAA playoff berth at 9-1 even if they do not win the CIAA. Chowan’s only shot for an NCAA invite would be to win the CIAA outright.

While Byers’ is the most talked about subject on Lombardy Street, quarterback Jahkari Grant isn’t far behind. The political science grad student was 17-for-25 for 236 yards against the Lions.

Wearing jersey No. 1, Grant throws to a galaxy of receivers. Eight different Panthers have at least one TD catch.

Larry Hackey, an emerging sophomore star from Maryland, made three grabs for 57 yards and a TD.

Dwayne Chandler, a sophomore from Manassas, had just one catch, but it was a full-extension, full-speed 49-yarder from Grant that sent the visiting VUU fans into a frenzy. It looked like the tips of Chandler’s fingers were a foot long.

VUU has dominated the statistics as well as the scoreboard through two glorious months.

The Panthers have outscored their opponents 385-118. VUU has 185 first downs to its foes’ 132 and 3,420 yards compared to 2,187 for the other side.

Averaging 7.3 yards a carry, Byers has 1,560 rushing yards and is just 100 behind Andre Braxton’s school record of 1,660 set in 2000 in 11 games.

Byers has been at his best against the best, racing for 319 yards at Valdosta State and 277 at Bowie.

The scintillating scat-back is a leading candidate for the Harlon Hill Award, which goes to the nation’s top player in Division II. No HBCU athlete has even won the Hill trophy that was established in 1986.

As powerful as VUU has been as a team, and as dynamic as Byers has been individually, the mission needs some finishing touches.

Hovey Stadium/Lanier field has been a fun zone so far this season and VUU’s Ambassadors of Sound marching band will be sure to be prancing Saturday.

The band will be loud. The crowd will be roaring.

As for the Panthers, this is no time to lose the rhythm.