James Madison has clinched the top spot in the Chesapeake Conference after beating Virginia Tech 33-14.

Before the game, Virginia Tech or Mount Saint Mary’s had a chance to catch JMU, but a bonus-point victory for Madison nullified all that. Now JMU is six points head of MSM with one game left for the Mount. JMU is now 12 points ahead of Virginia Tech with one game left for the Hokies.

JMU got two tries from Christian Morreale, and one each from Ryan Maguire, Federico Meersohn, and Nick Anzevino. Aidan Costelloe kicked three conversions, and Meersohn added one more. 

James Madison Head Coach Mark Lambourne said the teams were evenly-matched, but his squad played ver good defense.

“Our forwards carried the workload tonight as Virginia Tech did a good job pressuring our backs.”

Still the JMU backs found some space to work with. Madison lost their center Gabe Harrison to a face injury and had two yellow cards to deal with, but held on.

So JMU has a place in the DIAA playoffs once more, while MSM can clinch 2nd with a win over Virginia.