VSU's Belk helping Blazers prepare for former team

VALDOSTA — Doug Belk had plenty of experience running the option at Lowndes High School. He took his knowledge of the option attack to Carson-Newman, where he helped the Eagles win 36 games in a four-year stretch from 2007-10.

But now, as the Valdosta State football team prepares for its NCAA Division II quarterfinal matchup against Carson-Newman, Belk is preparing to coach against his former team, while trying to help the Blazers advance to the national semifinals for the first time since 2007.

Belk, the former Lowndes football standout, is a current graduate assistant defensive backs coach at Valdosta State and has played a vital role in the Blazers’ game-planning against the Eagles this week.

“(Doug) was in that system for a long time and he understands the basics of what they try to do,” Valdosta State head coach David Dean said. “So it has been nice for him to be able to know the ins and outs and know what adjustments they might try to make.”

A two-time state champion quarterback at Lowndes, Belk signed a national letter of intent with Carson-Newman following his senior season with the Vikings in 2005, which was capped off with a 49-7 romp of Brookwood in the Class 5A state championship game.

Once he joined the Eagles, Belk played nearly every skill position possible — quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back — and was the Eagles’ starting quarterback his senior season in 2010.

This week, though, it is Belk’s skills at quarterback that are being utilized by the Blazers, as Belk has been serving as the scout team quarterback in practice.

“It is the same approach we always take,” Belk said, downplaying his role in this week’s game plan. “My impact might be bigger because I know the system and I played there, but, to me, it is just about how well can we get our guys prepared and ready to play.”

One of the things Belk can relate to his defensive players this week is the speed of the Eagles’ offensive attack and the importance of being disciplined throughout Saturday’s game, which is set for a noon kickoff at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

“Just the aspect of being disciplined, knowing the looks they are going to give you,” Belk said.

“A lot of it looks the same, but it is different. One thing you can’t simulate in practice with our guys is the speed that is going to be coming at you in the game.”

While Belk now wears his red and black with pride, he said his time spent at Carson-Newman was enjoyable and that he wouldn’t change his college experience.

“It was a great experience; I was able to play multiple positions,” Belk said. “Mostly, it just let me grow up away from home. It was a good experience.”

One of the enjoyable experiences Belk was able to enjoy while at Carson-Newman was playing against the Blazers in the 2008 playoffs in Valdosta. While Valdosta State won the game, Belk, who caught three passes in the game, described the trip as an enjoyable one.

“That was a great experience,” Belk said. “Unfortunately, at Carson-Newman, we didn’t come away with a win. But it was a great experience. Playing in the (South Atlantic Conference), we didn’t get a lot of games down here, so it was a great chance for me to come home and play in front of a lot of friends and just being back in Valdosta.”

As for if he plans on meeting up with former teammates or coaches at midfield on Saturday, Belk admitted that he mainly only keeps in touch with his former coaches, who he considers mentors to his young career.

“I’m in their profession and a lot of those guys were mentors to me,” Belk said.

“I still have some of the older guys on the team that played with me. But it is definitely a big thing for me to be playing against these guys. From the other side of it, rather than being a player, but being a coach, it is a little different of a mindset.”

 With Lowndes, Belk led the Vikings to the 2004 and 2005 Class AAAAA state championships.

During the 2004 state championship game, Belk threw two touchdowns passes against Parkview to secure the win. He finished the season with five total touchdown passes. In the 2005 title game, he ran for a touchdown.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Four Blazers named First Team All-Region

Gerald Ford was named First Team All-Super Region 2.
(Ed Hooper | The VDT)

VALDOSTA — Five Valdosta State football players have been named to the Daktronics Super Region 2 All-Region team, as voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Four of the players garnered first team honors, all on the offensive side of the ball, including two offensive linemen.

Senior offensive tackle Ryan Schraeder earned the honor for the second straight year after grading out at 96 percent this year. Schraeder, who is also one of eight finalists for the Gene Upshaw Award as the nation’s top lineman, led Valdosta State with 56 knockdown blocks, and has allowed only one quarterback hit in 764 plays.

Schraeder was joined by senior offensive guard Edmund Kugbila. Kugbila was second on the team with 53 knockdown blocks during the season and graded out at 93.5 percent on the year, while giving up no sacks and only one quarterback hit.

Blazer junior quarterback Cayden Cochran also garnered first team honors. Cochran passed for 2,077 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 262 yards and six more scores.

Cochran owned a 153.15 quarterback rating on the season while completing 161 of 253 passes in the equivalent of nine games.

Cochran’s favorite target, junior wide receiver Gerald Ford, was the final first team honoree. Ford, who was named the Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year, while also being a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, is tops in the GSC in receptions (55), receiving yards (873) and touchdowns (12).

Junior linebacker Chris Pope was the final Blazer to receive All-Region honors, getting second team accolades. Pope leads the Valdosta State squad with 86 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. He intercepted one pass during the season and also recovered one fumble while breaking up a pass and registering five quarterback hurries.

Valdosta State’s five All-Region honors tied with fellow GSC member West Alabama for tops in Super Region 2.

By being named first team All-Region, Schraeder, Kugbila, Cochran and Ford are eligible for All-American honors.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Ryan Schraeder named finalist for Gene Upshaw Award

Schraeder

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State senior offensive tackle Ryan Schraeder has been named one of eight finalists for the 2012 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award sponsored by the Manheim Touchdown Club, as announced by the organization on Wednesday.

Schraeder, in his second season with the Blazers, earned the recognition after leading a Valdosta State offensive line that has blocked for one of the top offenses in the nation this year. The Wichita, Kan. native has graded out at 96.0 percent on the season and leads VSU with 56 knockdown blocks. Schraeder allowed only one quarterback hit and one sack on the year. He was recently rated as the 25th-best offensive tackle prospect in the upcoming NFL draft by CBSSports.com.

Offensively, Valdosta State is seventh nationally in scoring offense and 13th in total offense. The Blazer average 475.6 yards of total offense per game, including 214.5 rushing and 261.2 passing. The Blazers score 42.2 points per game and are on the verge of breaking six school offensive records, including three rushing marks.

NCAA: VSU's Regginald Lewis suspended for this week

Valdosta State's Regginald Lewis has been suspended for this
week's playoff game against Carson-Newman for an illegal
hit on West Alabama's kicker in last week's 49-21 win over
the Tigers. (Bubba Thomas | Special)

VALDOSTA — When the Valdosta State Blazers take the field Saturday against the Carson-Newman Eagles in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals, they will be without one of their key weapons.

The NCAA announced Wednesday that junior wide receiver Regginald Lewis has been suspended for this week's playoff game after he targeted West Alabama kicker Ryne Smith on a first quarter kickoff during last week's 49-21 playoff win over the Tigers.

"Valdosta State certainly does not condone flagrant actions from any of our student-athletes that are outside the rules and accepted play of their specific sport," Valdosta State athletic director Herb Reinhard said in a university release. "In regards to the hit on the West Alabama kicker, I am completely confident that Coach (David) Dean and his staff did not "coach" the hit and that Regginald Lewis’ action was due to over-zealous play and his letting his on-field emotion get the best of him. Regginald has a reputation as one who plays completely within the rules of the game and I’m confident that his action was an isolated incident."

Head coach David Dean was also issued a public reprimand for Lewis' actions in the game, according to the NCAA's official release.

"Neither I nor any member of the VSU coaching staff teaches or coaches the technique of flagrant fouls or intent to personally injure any player," Valdosta State head coach David Dean said in a release. "I have spoken with Regginald, he understands his mistake and has been very understanding of his punishment. I am convinced it was an isolated incident brought on by the emotions of a rivalry game. Regginald has always been a very emotional player that plays extremely hard, but always within the rules of the game. He realizes that this was not a technique that is coached by our staff, was not the intent of his blocking responsibility during the return and was a block on a defenseless player. After speaking with Regginald, he is very remorseful and sorry for his actions and realizes the mistake that was made"

Lewis was flagged for a personal foul on the play, costing the Blazers 15 yards in field position.The penalty was one of many thrown on both teams throughout the first quarter of the second round playoff game.

"In the postgame press conference I alluded to this being embarrassing and not a part of college football and apologized to all that witnessed the play. It is certainly not an action that we condone nor expect," Dean said. "As (Regginald's) coach, I take full responsibility for his actions, will suffer the consequences for his actions and will handle the disciplinary action that is deserved."

According to the NCAA release on Wednesday, Valdosta State appealed the decision to the NCAA Division II Championships Appeals Subcommittee, which reviewed the facts and upheld the original ruling.

"The football committee was extremely disappointed with the unsportsmanlike action taken by the student-athlete," said Frank Condino, chair of the Division II Football Committee and director of athletics at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. "Head coaches and student-athletes sign a code of conduct before each round of the championship that clearly defines the expectations of sportsmanship to be displayed. Mr. Lewis’ on the field action violated this agreement and has no place in Division II football. It also served as a discredit to the championship. It is the head coach’s responsibility to keep his student-athletes accountable to this sportsmanship agreement."

Lewis is second on the team in receptions this season with 50, while he is third in receiving yards (653) and receiving touchdowns (4) in 11 games this season. Redshirt freshman Chris Anderson will likely fill in for Lewis this week, while junior Quin Roberson will likely see more passes thrown his way.

Saturday's game between the Blazers and Eagles is set for a noon kickoff from Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta. The winner will advance to the national semifinals to face the winner of the Minnesota State-Mankato versus Missouri Western State matchup.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Three Blazers named NFL Draft prospects

VALDOSTA —  Three Valdosta State football players have found their way onto a list of prospects for the upcoming April NFL Draft.

Valdosta State linemen Ryan Schraeder and Edmund Kugbila and defensive back Greg Reid are listed as potential prospects for the upcoming draft, according to CBSsports.com.

Schraeder, who joined the Blazers in the spring of 2011, is ranked as the 26th best offensive tackle and the 325th best overall prospect for the upcoming draft. Listed as 6-foot-7, Schraeder was named an All-American following the 2011 season with the Blazers and will likely be named an All-American this season.

In his one season at Butler Community College, Schraeder, who didn't start playing football until college, led the Grizzlies to the NJCAA National Championship Game while being named an All-American.

The 6-foot-5 Kugbila was named a third-team All-American following the 2011 season that featured him being named a unanimous All-Gulf South Conference selection. Kugbila began playing for the Blazers as a freshman in 2009 and turned into a starter in 2010.

Reid, a former Lowndes standout, joined the Valdosta State football team in August. Less than two weeks after joining the team, he tore his ACL during a scrimmage and was later ruled out for the remainder of the season. Despite not playing a snap for Valdosta State, Reid could hear his name called in April's draft following a successful three-year career on the field at Florida State.

With the Seminoles, Reid was the nation's top punt returner and was projected as a late second or early third round selection following his junior season in 2011. Reid chose to return to FSU to help improve his draft stock but was dismissed from the team for violation of team rules. 

Currently, former Blazer Larry Dean is the only Valdosta State alumnus playing in the National Football League. A member of the Minnesota Vikings, Dean was named a special teams candidate on the NFC Pro Bowl ballot this year.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Valdosta State vs. Carson-Newman ticket information

VALDOSTA — Tickets for Saturday's NCAA Division II national quarterfinal matchup between host Valdosta State and Carson-Newman are now available.

Persons may purchase tickets by visiting the Valdosta State Ticket Office, located in the VSU P.E. Complex off Baytree Road.

Tickets are $18 for reserved seats, $10 for general admission and $5 students/youth and seniors (65 and older). Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Athletic Office in The Complex located at the corner of Baytree and Sustella on the VSU campus or by calling 229-333-5890. Tickets will also be available at the gate Saturday morning beginning at 10:00 a.m.

VALDOSTA STATE SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
Valdosta State season ticket holders have until the close of business on Wednesday, November 28 to reclaim their current seats for this weekend's game. After the 5:00 p.m. deadline on Wednesday, all seats will be opened for sale to the general public.

VALDOSTA STATE STUDENTS
Thanks to the VSU Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students Office and the VSU Foundation, all Valdosta State students will be able to attend Saturday's game free of charge. Students will not be required to pick up a ticket for Saturday's game, but insteand can just show up to the game with their current VSU Student ID and enter through the Southwest Gate (the gate closest to the University Center on the home side of the field) of Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

*Information regarding tickets was supplied by the Valdosta State Sports Informations Office.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Blazers back to normal, routine schedule

Blazer quarterback Cayden Cochran (11) avoids the rush
during Saturday's playoff game against West Alabama.
(Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times)

VALDOSTA — For the first time in what seems like months, the Valdosta State football team will have a normal practice schedule, as the Blazers prepare for their national quarterfinal matchup against Carson-Newman.

After two straight Thursday night football games to end the regular season and a 23-day break in game action due to back-to-back bye weeks, Valdosta State finally played a Saturday game this past weekend, beating conference rival West Alabama 49-21 in the second round of the Division II playoffs.

Now as the Blazers prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Eagles on Saturday in Valdosta, they are back in a normal, Saturday-to-Saturday, practice routine.

"It is going to be great," Valdosta State head coach David Dean said following Saturday's game against the Tigers. "We haven't had that in a while."

The Blazers' last Saturday-to-Saturday practice week came the week leading up to their game against Delta State on Oct. 20 in Valdosta.


Since that game, Valdosta State visited Shorter Oct. 25 and hosted Texas A&M-Kingsville the following Thursday (Nov. 1), before having back-to-back bye weeks to end the regular season and begin the postseason.

With the normal practice schedule, the Blazers worked out Sunday afternoon and are off Monday. They return to the practice field for three straight practices Tuesday-Thursday and will hold a walk-through on Friday afternoon.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Valdosta State-Carson Newman to battle in playoffs again

Valdosta State faces Carson-Newman in the national
quarterfinals Saturday at noon in Valdosta.

VALDOSTA — The football teams at Valdosta State and Carson-Newman have met six times since 1996. Five of those six meetings came in the playoffs.

On Saturday, the teams will once again meet in the playoffs to decide what team will advance to a national semifinal and what team will have its season come to an end two wins shy of an appearance in the Division II national championship game.

The Blazers (9-2) and Eagles (9-2) will meet in the third round of the NCAA Divison II playoffs — the national quarterfinals — Saturday. The game will be held in Valdosta's Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, according to NCAA.com. Valdosta State was in jeopardy of losing the game due to a low attendance at Saturday's second round game against West Alabama.

Currently, the Blazers and Eagles have split the six all-time games in the series, although the Blazers have won three of the last four games. The two teams last played in 2008, which the Blazers won 24-20.

The last four meetings between Valdosta State and Carson-Newman have come in the playoffs, along with the first-ever meeting in the series, which was a 24-19 loss for VSU in the national quarterfinals.

The teams met again in the 1997 regular season, a game played on a neutral field in Shorter, which the Eagles won 28-7.

Valdosta State secured its first win in the series in 2002, beating the Eagles 31-28 in the national quarterfinals in Valdosta. The Blazers later went on to play for the national championship, but lost to Grand Valley State, 31-24.

The following year in 2003, the Blazers lost to Carson-Newman 35-29 in the first round of the Division II playoffs. Since then, the Blazers won the 2004 meeting 38-12 and later won the national championship.

In the most previous meeting, in Valdosta in 2008, the Blazers won 24-20 in the first round of the playoffs, but lost the following week in the second round to North Alabama.

Kickoff for Saturday's game is set for noon Eastern in Valdosta.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Blazers rout West Alabama, 49-21

West Alabama quarterback Gary Johnston is tackled by
VSU defenders during Saturday's game.
(Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times)

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State football team overcame a sluggish start and dug itself out of an early two-touchdown deficit to avenge an early season loss and blow out conference rival West Alabama 49-21 Saturday afternoon in the second round of the Division II playoffs.

Valdosta State will likely host Carson-Newman in the national quarterfinals next Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, although the NCAA will make a final decision on the location of the game today. Valdosta State, the higher-seeded team, could lose the opportunity to host the game because of a low attendance (1,984) on Saturday.

Less than seven minutes into the game, Valdosta State found itself in a 14-0 deficit behind a pair of early rushing touchdowns by West Alabama quarterback Gary Johnston. But then, the Blazers shook off their 23-day break in game action and dominated the Tigers, scoring seven touchdowns across their final 12 offensive possessions while playing dominating defense to secure VSU’s first playoff victory since 2008.

Led by a dominating performance from defensive tackle Lawrence Virgil (7 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble), the Blazers limited the Tigers to just 187 yards of total offense, including 69 yards rushing on the day.

Offensively, freshmen running backs Austin Scott and Cedric O’Neal each rushed for three touchdowns, while Scott ran for a game-high 133 yards to lead the Blazers to 458 yards of total offense on the day. Quarterback Cayden Cochran finished the day 23 of 33 for 240 yards with a second quarter touchdown pass to Seantavious Jones.

A complete game recap with quotes from coaches and players will be available in the Sunday edition of The Valdosta Daily Times.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

UWA looking to 'do it again' against Blazers

UWAathletics.com

VALDOSTA — The scoreboard might have read that West Alabama won the Sept. 29 meeting against Valdosta State, but with the way the Super Region 2 rankings worked out, it’s more like the Blazers won the game and eventually the conference.

 “We really feel like we didn’t get any credit for winning that game,” West Alabama head coach Will Hall said. “On a national landscape, as far as it is concerned, Valdosta won that game. That is just the way it is viewed. When it is brought up in general conversation, people are shocked when they look and see the final score had us with more points than them.

“Some people say we just got lucky and that they say Valdosta lost that game; we didn’t win it,” Hall continued. “They say they didn’t play well and we really didn’t have anything to do with that. So we’re going to have to go down there and do it again.”

 In reality, West Alabama beat the Blazers 39-28 and later secured its first outright Gulf South Conference championship. When the final region rankings, were released last Sunday, the Blazers were ranked ahead of the Tigers and were positioned to host the Tigers in the second round of the Division II playoffs.  The teams will meet Saturday at noon in Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

 “I think a lot of things played into it; I didn’t know what all did because I’m not part of the deal,” Hall said. “I do know that the outright GSC champion has never been ranked No. 4. I’ve gone back and looked at it and I can’t find a year where it happened. For whatever reason, nobody thinks we are that good.”

 Since the Tigers’ 11-point win over the Blazers in September, Valdosta State reeled off six straight wins to finish second in the GSC and secure the region’s No. 1 seed. The Tigers finished 5-2 and withstood a mid-season offensive maker after losing Player of the Year candidate Matt Willis, the conference’s rushing leader at the time of his injury.

Willis tore his ACL the week after the game in Valdosta, coming just minutes after becoming UWA’s all-time leading rusher against West Georgia.

 “We had to redefine ourselves offensively,” Hall said. “This is the second year in a row where we lost the guy that we built our offensive around in the first half of the season. We lost Matt his year; last year we lost Gary Johnston.”

 Since Willis’ injury, Johnston has moved into the role of leading rusher for the Tigers. Johnston is averaging 73.3 yards rushing per game and has 12 rushing touchdowns this season, while the Tigers have also started to increase their passing. West Alabama quarterback Kyle Caldwell has completed 87 of 146 passes for 1299 yards with nine touchdowns this season.

 “We are more versatile than we were than (at the beginning of the season),” Hall said. “A bunch of different guys are getting the ball, we are throwing the ball a bunch better; we have just evolved. I am proud of our guys and our coaching staff. To have to overcome an injury to the best player, probably in the country, I think it speaks volumes about the depth of our program.”

 Meanwhile, the Valdosta State has picked up its play, too. The Blazers are averaging 43 points per game since the loss to West Alabama while allowing 19 points per contest.

Now this week, the Blazers and Tigers will meet for the opportunity to advance to the national quarterfinals and face either Lenoir-Rhyne or Carson-Newman.

 “The first game doesn’t matter now. Valdosta is an extremely improved team,” Hall said. “I think to think that we are improved. The things that cause you to lose games will be huge; turnovers, penalties, handling adversity, that’ll determine this game. This is a huge game, a huge matchup.

“Obviously, the last time we played it was a great football game with a lot of great players. I think both coaching staffs are really great. I have a lot of respect for Coach (David) Dean; I like to think we are good friends. I know they are going to be ready. They’ve had a lot of time off and they’ve probably been practicing for us for four weeks now.”

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Blazers to host West Alabama in second round Saturday

VALDOSTA — The first round of the Division II football playoffs are complete and Valdosta State knows who it will be hosting in the second round Saturday at noon.

The Blazers (8-2) will host the West Alabama Tigers (9-3) for the second time this season after the Tigers beat Miles 42-7 Saturday afternoon in Livingston, Ala. West Alabama beat Valdosta State 39-28 earlier this season, handing the Blazers' their only Gulf South Conference loss this season.

Lenoir-Rhyne beat Fort Valley State Saturday and will play at Carson-Newman Saturday in Super Region 2 action.

Will have more on the VSU-UWA game throughout the week.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Ford named GSC Offensive Player of the Year; O'Neal Freshman of the Year

VALDOSTA — Two days after being named a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, Valdosta State wide receiver Gerald Ford was named the Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year, while running back Cedric O'Neal was named the GSC Freshman of the Year.

Ford became the sixth different Blazer, and first since 2002, to be named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year. He also became just the third wide receiver in the conference to earn the honor.

"The work ethic that (Gerald) put in, coming off a knee injury and having to sit out last year, and working himself back into this position, I am proud of him," Valdosta State head coach David Dean said. "You could just tell in spring practice that he was going to be a difference for us. He brought a different dimension in our offense."

A school-record 16 Blazers were named to the All-GSC teams.

Ford led the conference with 52 catches for 836 yards with 12 touchdowns this season, the seventh-most TD catches by any player in a single season in school history. O'Neal led the conference in rushing this season, compiling 811 yards this season. He split the majority of the early season repetitions in games with fellow freshman Austin Scott, who suffered an ankle injury against North Alabama.

Ultimately, nine offensive players were named to the First Team, along with four defensive players. Three Blazers were named to the Second Team.

The Blazers named to the First Team were: Ryan Schraeder, Mesh Wokomaty, Edmund Kugbila, Cam Short, Seantavious Jones, Regginald Lewis and quarterback Cayden Cochran; defenders Jeremy Grable, Chris Pope, Tyler Josey and Matt Pierce.

On the Second Team: defensive linemen Tevin Davis and Lawrence Virgil, along with kicker Daniel Andersen.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

WR Gerald Ford named finalist for Harlon Hill Trophy

Valdosta State wide receiver Gerald Ford was named a regional
finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is awarded to the
nation's best Division II football player.
(Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times)

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State junior wide receiver Gerald Ford has been named a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's best Division II football player.

The honor for Ford came after a dominating regular season that saw him catch a team-high 52 passes for 836 yards with 12 touchdowns. Ford leads the Gulf South Conference in receiving yards per game at 92.9 and yards per catch at 16.1, along with scoring this season.

Ford was one of six players from Super Region 2, and one of 24 from across the country, nominated for the Harlon Hill Trophy.

Blazers tabbed No. 1 seed in Super Region 2

QB Cayden Cochran and the VSU Blazers were tabbed the
No. 1 seed in Super Region 2 Sunday evening.
(Ed Hooper | the VDT)

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State football team should be well rested when it takes the field Nov. 24 in the second round of the Division II playoffs.

The Blazers (8-2) were tabbed the No. 1 seed in Super Region 2 Sunday evening, securing the top-seed in the region along with a first round bye. Twenty-three days will pass between Valdosta State's regular season finale against Texas A&M-Kingsville and its playoff game, which will be against either West Alabama or Miles.

"It says a lot for these kids, being 2-2 and reeling off six in-a-row and getting the respect we got; To be the No. 1 team in the region, it says a lot about what they've done," Valdosta State head coach David Dean said. 

UWA and Miles will meet Saturday (Nov. 17) in the No. 4 versus No. 5 matchup. Lenoir-Rhyne was tabbed the three-seed and will host the sixth-seed Fort Valley State. Carson-Newman, which beat Mars Hill Saturday, was tabbed the second seed in the region and will host the winner of the Lenoir-Rhyne-Fort Valley State game.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Impressions from opening night on the hardwood

VALDOSTA — Two games, two wins for Valdosta State basketball.

Kourtnee Williams drives the lane.
(Ed Hooper | The VDT)

Both the women and the men claimed victories Saturday night the at the P.E. Complex, improving to 1-0 on the season. The Lady Blazers beat Trinity Baptist 64-51, while the Blazers beat Point 85-62.

Here are some impressions from opening night:

Both teams respond: Each and every time the women or the men were faced with difficult situations, they responded with positive plays. If you're a VSU basketball fan, that is an encouraging sight. For the Lady Blazers, Brooke Satterfield rose to the occasion and scored 10 of the team's final 16 points to help pull away from Trinity Baptist, who had closed with three points with seven minutes remaining. When the ladies needed a playmaker, Satterfield was that player. Earlier in the half, Dericks Griffis was able to make some plays, scoring 10 of 12 points during one stretch, which helped VSU build a lead.

The Blazers responded, too. After building a 20-point second half lead, some sloppy, chaotic possessions allowed Point University to close within 12 points. After two timeouts by Coach Mike Helfer, the Blazers responded by putting together a 13-0 run and essentially icing the game. The response by the men was impressive, simply because last year the team wasn't able to do it.

The crowd loves Sparks: Josh Sparks is the only returning players from last year's 11-16 team. He was joined on the roster by 12 new players. Well, it was clear Saturday night that keeping Sparks on the team was a good call by Helfer and associate head coach Nick Gast. When introduced to the 1,600-plus on hand, Sparks received a thunderous roar from the crowd. When he got his first slam dunk of the season, the crowd, once again, roared. Sparks electrified the crowd on the defensive end too, getting several blocks that sent the ball several rows into the stands.

Helfer has glow: During various points of last season, you could look at Mike Helfer and see the frustration and the look of defeat on his face. Saturday night, Helfer had a look of optimism and excitement on his face. From the scorers table where media is located, you could see Helfer was actually back having fun and enjoying the ability to coach his team. After the game, Helfer said it was fun and that he can coach a team that "gives 100 percent for 40 minutes." That is what he got Saturday night.

Lady Blazers struggle off the glass: Usually when someone mentions "the glass" they're referring to rebounds. Well, right now, I am referring to shots off the glass, something the Lady Blazers struggled with Saturday night. On Several (and I mean more than 10), the Lady Blazers looked like they were throwing the ball off the glass rather than shooting the ball into the hole. If VSU is going to be successful this season, the ladies will have to be lighter shooting off the glass, or they'll continue to miss shots and, in the end, lose games.

Men struggle from downtown but shoot nearly 50 percent: 49.2 percent. That was the shooting percentage for the Blazers Saturday night. That high-percentage was gained by driving the lane and dunks, not from shooting 3-pointers. After setting a school-record for 3-pointers in 2010-11, the new Blazer team struggled and shot just 27 percent from behind the arc Saturday night.

Back to running: When the Valdosta State men's basketball team won the South Region and advanced to the Division II Elite 8 in 2009-10, the Blazers were a running team. They would go up and down the court for all 40 minutes. Finally, the Blazers look to be back playing that brand of basketball again this season. On Saturday night, the Blazes were running more than they had the two previous seasons, which in return produces some electrifying moments for the crowd. The only note: players need to look ahead quicker for the open pass. Several times Saturday night the Blazers had a man far ahead on the court and a teammate didn't recognize his presence until it was too late. That knowledge might come with more games, so fans shouldn't be too concerned.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

VSU basketball seasons open Saturday

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State basketball teams open their regular seasons Saturday night at the P.E. Complex.

Saturday night's festivities begin at 6 p.m. with the Lady Blazers hosting Trinity Baptist, while the men's game the start roughly at 8 p.m. against Point University.

The Lady Blazers finished the 2011 season with a 22-8 record an appearance in the South Region championship game, losing to Rollins, 56-54. The Blazers endured their worst season under head coach Mike Helfer in 2011-12, finishing 11-16, which included 13 losses by double-digits.

More on the upcoming VSU basketball seasons will be available in Saturday's edition of The Valdosta Daily Times and www.valdostadailytimes.com/sports.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

West Alabama wins outright GSC title; Blazers finish second

West Alabama had plenty to celebrate Thursday night,
winning the outright Gulf South Conference championship.
(UWAathletics.com)

VALDOSTA — West Alabama made sure the Valdosta State faithful wasn't celebrating Thursday night.

Instead, the Tigers were celebrating all alone after claiming the outright Gulf South Conference championship with a 42-27 win over rival North Alabama.

With the win, West Alabama finished a perfect 5-0 in GSC play; Valdosta State finished 4-1 and in sole possession of second place.

West Alabama's win will likely move it back into the top six of the region rankings and opens the discussion of fairness in the rankings. In the latest region rankings, the Blazers were ranked No. 1 and the Tigers were seventh.

But, now that West Alabama has claimed the outright conference title and closed out the regular season with just two Division II losses, the same amount as VSU, some believe the Tigers should be ranked ahead of the Blazers since they won the head-to-head matchup this season.

The final region rankings will be released Sunday at 5 p.m.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Josey named D2football.com's National Defensive Player of the Week

Tyler Josey

VALDOSTA — Following his dominating performance last Thursday, Valdosta State defensive end Tyler Josey was named the D2football.com National Defensive Player of the Week.

Josey recorded a team-high four sacks, four tackles for loss and forced three fumbles in the Blazers' 38-31 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville last week, helping the VSU close out the regular season with an 8-2 record.

No play Josey made all night had a larger impact than the one he made in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter when he sacked Kingsville quarterback Bryan Ehrlich, forcing the ball loose and into the arms of linebacker Chris Pope.

The turnover set up the Blazers' game-winning touchdown run by freshman running back Cedric O'Neal.

Josey is the first VSU football player to earn national honors this season. Josey was also named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Week on Monday, joining teammates Cayden Cochran (Offensive) and Daniel Andersen (Special Teams) as the conference's honorees this week.

Ranked No. 1 in the latest Division II Super Region 2 rankings, the Blazers are idle this week and will learn who and when they will face in the Division II playoffs on Sunday evening when the complete playoff field is announced on NCAA.com.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Blazers working towards upcoming playoff game

The Valdosta State football team will play either Nov. 17
or Nov. 24 in the Division II playoffs. The 14th-ranked Blazers
will learn their playoff fate Sunday afternoon.
(Ed Hooper | The VDT)

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State football team doesn’t know when it will play again or who its next opponent will be. But that hasn’t stopped the 14th-ranked Blazers from working hard and preparing for the playoffs.

“We are just trying to get everyone back healthy again,” junior linebacker Chris Pope said. “We are focusing back on our fundamentals and just trying to get back right again. … We are taking it day-by-day.”

Ranked No. 1 in the latest Super Region 2 rankings, the Blazers (8-2) must wait until Sunday to find out their playoff destiny, and whether or not they’ve earned a first round bye in the Division II playoffs or if they will have to play next weekend in the first round.

“You keep saying to yourself, ‘There is no way they are going to drop us down and we are going to have to play next week,’” Valdosta State head coach David Dean said. “But they dropped West Alabama from two to seven, so you never know. And that is what we are trying to tell these guys — you have to be ready to play next week.”

Blazers take over top spot in Super Region 2

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State took over as the top-ranked team in Super Region 2 Monday afternoon.

Seantavious Jones and the VSU Blazers are ranked No. 1
in Super Region 2, following Monday's latest release.
The final rankings are released Sunday.
(Bubba Thomas | Special to the Times)

The Blazers' rise to the top of the region was opened after previous No. 1 Miles and No. 2 West Alabama lost this past weekend.

The new region rankings, released Monday, look like this: 1) VSU 2) Miles 3) Mars Hill 4) Carson-Newman 5) Fort Valley State 6) Lenior-Rhyne 7) West Alabama 8) UNC-Pembroke 9) Albany State 10) North Alabama.

The top six seeds in the region are awarded playoff berths when the final rankings are released Sunday. The top two teams in the region are awarded bye weeks and won't play until Nov. 24, while the remaining four teams in the region begin play Nov. 17 in the opening round.

If the playoffs were to begin this week, Valdosta State and Miles would be awarded bye weeks, while Mars Hill would host Lenoir-Rhyne and Carson-Newman would host Fort Valley State.

The region rankings will surely change prior to Sunday's final release, as No. 3 Mars Hill visits No. 4 Carson-Newman Saturday and No. 2 Miles faces No. 5 Fort Valley State in the SIAC Championship. Valdosta State is idle.

Although the Blazers are ranked No. 1 this week, they are not guaranteed the region's top ranking for the playoffs. They will learn that fate Sunday.

— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

VSU football sweeps GSC awards

VALDOSTA — For the fourth straight week, Valdosta State had players represented in the Players of the Week awards within the Gulf South Conference.

This week, though, the Blazers, now ranked 18th in the latest American Football Coaches' Association Top 25, swept the weekly honors following a 38-31 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville last Thursday night.

Quarterback Cayden Cochran was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive time; Defensive lineman Tyler Josey was named the Defensive Player of teh Week and kicker Daniel Andersen was named the Special Teams Player of the Week.

Cochran completed 24 of 37 passes for 331 yards in VSU’s win, throwing four touchdowns, including three of at least 44 yards. With his four TDs, Cochran now 19 passing scores this season, the most by a Blazer quarterback since 2008.

Josey earned the Defensive Player of the Week honor for the first time in his career after he caused havoc in the Javelina backfield all night.

Josey tallied six total tackles, four sacks, two quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles in the Blazers’ win on senior night.

Playing in his final home regular season game of his career, Josey’s third forced fumble came in Blazer territory with 3:35 remaining and was recovered by teammate Chris Pope, setting up the winning drive for the Blazers.

Andersen garnered Special Teams Player of the Week honors for  the third time in four weeks and for the fifth time in his career. Andersen scored seven points in the game as he connected on all four extra point attempts and converted a 22-yard field goal.

He also averaged 35.8 yards per punt and had two land inside the Kingsville 20-yard line.

Valdosta State 38, Texas A&M-Kingsville 31

VSU's Gerald Ford hauls in a pass.
(Brandon Powers | The VDT)

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State football clinched its spot in the Division II playoffs with a 38-31 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville Thursday night at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

VSU used a touchdown by freshman running back Cedric O'Neal with 37 seconds remaining to secure the win and advance to the playoffs, closing out the regular season with an 8-2 record.

The following are various notes from Thursday night's game:

Josey with a career night
Senior defensive end Tyler Josey recorded four sacks, six tackles and forced an impressive three fumbles in Thursday night's win. Josey's final sack and fumble forced set up VSU's game-winning touchdown drive in the final minutes. The four sacks by Josey ties a school-record.

Ford in the record books
With his two touchdown catches Thursday night, wide receiver Gerald Ford moved into seventh in touchdown receptions in a single season at VSU with 12. Ford leads the Blazers in points scored this season. He is a likely candidate for Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Cochran with 19 TDs
Quarterback Cayden Cochran tossed four touchdown in the win, giving him 19 this season. Cochran's mark in touchdown passes, which he accomplish without playing against Fort Valley State or in the second half against Saginaw Valley State or West Alabama, is the most touchdown passes by a Blazer QB since 2008 when Nick Hart threw 19 touchdowns in 11 games.

Ehrlich's bad luck against VSU
Kingsville's Bryan Ehrlich entered Thursday's game in the second quarter after starting quarterback Nate Poppell was apparently injured. Ehrlich,  a fifth-year senior transfer from Newberry College, was intercepted by Chris Pope on his first pass attempt in Thursday's game. The INT was his ninth career interception against the Blazers, after he tossed 5 INTs against n 2010 and 3 in 2011 when he was the Wolves' starter. Ehrlich finished the game 12 of 24 for 224 yards with two touchdowns; he also added a rushing touchdown.

Javelinas rack up the yards
The Javelinas managed 495 yards of total offense, while Valdosta State managed 473 yards on the night. The majority of Kingsville's offensive production came through the air (389 yards). Kingsville's Anthony Johnson led the way with 72 yards rushing and 82 yards receiving, although Robert Armstrong had four catches for 132 yards with 2 TDs.

Linebackers with big nights
While Tyler Josey stole the night on the defensive side of the football, linebackers Jeremy Grable, Ryan Smith and Chris Pope all finished with big nights. All three linebackers recorded more than 10 tackles in the win, with Grable recording a game-high 12 tackles on the night. Smith and Pope also had interceptions on the night; Pope also recovered the final fumble of the night, setting up VSU's game-winning drive.

Success on 1st or 2nd
Valdosta State scored on its second offensive possession Thursday night when quarterback Cayden Cochran connected with Seantavious Jones for a 57-yard score. The score was VSU's seventh score this season on either its first or second possession of game.

Headed to the playoffs
Valdosta State secured a playoff berth with Thursday's win. The Blazers will wait to find out what seed they will serve as in Super Region 2. They'll also wait to see if they can secure a first round bye, which is awarded to the top two teams in the region.

VSU earns playoff spot with win over TAMK

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State football team is heading back to the playoffs.

The 24th-ranked Blazers secured their first playoff bid in Super Region 2 since 2010 after outlasting the feisty Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas 38-31 Thursday night at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

“That was a heck of a football game,” Valdosta State head coach David Dean said. “That is a really good football team. I am just proud of our guys for finding a way to win that football game.”

In a back-and-forth game that featured three lead changes and three ties, the Blazers used a 9-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Cedric O’Neal with 37 seconds remaining to secure the win and their playoff future.