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| Receiver Quin Roberson cuts up the field against Saginaw Valley State Sept. 1 in Saginaw Valley, Mich. (Bubba Thomas | Special) |
This week, members of Valdosta State’s football team were forced to balance the hectic schedule of final exams and a full practice schedule in preparation for Saturday’s Division II national semifinal matchup against Minnesota State-Mankato.
“It is pretty hard,” receiver Quin Roberson said. “But at the end of the day, we are student-athletes and our books come first. It is hard to balance this week.”
One major obstacle players faced this week was rescheduling exams that were originally scheduled for today. The Blazers are set to depart for Mankato from Valdosta Regional Airport at 11 a.m.
“If I was younger, I think it would be tougher,” senior offensive lineman Mesh Wokomaty said. “I think as you get older, it gets easier. I’m a senior now; I know how to manage my time. That is the biggest thing, managing your time.”
Throughout the week, head coach David Dean has stressed the importance of finals to his players.
“They came here to be student-athletes, so they have to take care of their finals,” Dean said. “One thing that I have stressed to these guys is, ‘Take your academics serious and do well in your studies. When you’re away from the fieldhouse, make sure you’re studying and not goofing off. But when you come out here for practice, the reason you came to Valdosta State was for football, so come out here and have some fun. Let this be your outlet from the work you have to do.’”
— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.
