West Georgia to explore move to Division I

The University of West Georgia, an in-state rival to Valdosta State, has hired an exploratory committee to study a possible move to Division I athletics.
A current member of the Division II and the Gulf South Conference, West Georgia has hired Collegaite Consulting to analyze the move to the FCS level. The move to Division I would require all 12 varsity sports to move up a level.
The study will include a look at the school's finances and facilities.
For a school to move to Division I, it requires a $1 million application fee. West Georgia is reportedly in debt on its football stadium, which opened in 2009.
VSU and UWG will meet in football on Oct. 6 in Carrollton.

Football opponent outlook: (Game 4) West Alabama

The Sept. 22 meeting between the Valdosta State Blazers and West Alabama Tigers will serve as the Gulf South Conference opener for both teams. The Blazers own a 28-2 all-time record against the Tigers, including a one-time 24-game winning streak (1986-2009). VSU lost to West Alabama, 24-21, in 2010, but rebounded with a narrow 22-21 victory at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in 2011.
The Tigers are coached by Will Hall, who went 8-4 in his first season.

2011 recap

The Tigers finished the 2011 season with an 8-4 record, having played 11 regular season games — 2 versus Division I-FCS teams — and one playoff game (a  43-27 loss to North Alabama). The Tigers averaged 30.1 points per game and allowed just 22. Offensively, Matt Willis was the workhorse, finishing the season with 1,606 yards and 18 touchdowns. In the 22-21 loss to VSU, Willis rushed for 219 yards and a touchdown, but a pair of interception returns for touchdowns by VSU corner Matt Pierce proved to be the difference in the game.
Tigers' quarterback Kyle Caldwell was just a freshman in 2011 and he took his lumps but showed plenty signs of a positive future. He completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,499 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Caldwell also rushed for 388 yards and a pair of scores.
Caldwell's favorite target was wide receiver Gerald Worsham, who caught 74 passes and 6 touchdowns. Ken May caught a team-high 7 touchdowns.
Defensively, Deon Lacey recorded a team-high 94 tackles; Gabe Poe was second with 81 tackles. Otha Foster finished with a team-high 4 interceptions.

2012 preview

The Tigers' biggest offensive weapon in Willis returns for his senior season, while Caldwell returns as the teams signal caller. Caldwell's top two receivers (Worsham and May) have graduated, making senior Curt Amacker the team's leading returning reciever. Amacker finished the 2011 season with just 15 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns.
The offense will surely run through Willis, who is a Harlon Hill Trophy candidate.
Dean Lacey returns to lead the defense.
The Tigers open regular season play Sept. 1 at Clark Atlanta in Atlanta. West Alabama visits Division I-FCS members Samford Sept. 9, before welcoming Division III member Mississippi College to Livingston, Ala. Sept. 15. The Tigers then visit VSU (Sept. 22), before four-straight home games against West Georgia, Midwestern State, College of Faith and Shorter.
The Tigers visit Delta State Oct. 27, Abilene Christian Nov. 2 and close out the season Nov. 9 at home against North Alabama.

Ford on road to redemption at VSU

Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State football team is doing everything it can to forget the way the 2011 season ended.
Three straight final-minute losses cost the Blazers the No. 1 seed in the region and a playoff berth. During the fall from one of the best teams in the region to failing to reach the playoffs at the end of the season, one of VSU’s biggest weapons couldn’t do anything but sit in the stands and watch his teammates lose in heartbreaking fashion week after week.
That’s because he, Gerald Ford, failed to do what was required academically to remain eligible to play on the football team.
“Just coming to the games and seeing those guys, I know they needed me last year and I couldn’t be there for them,” Ford said. “I feel like I let the team down, the coaching staff down and mostly I let myself down.”
But now, last season is exactly that — last season. Much like the team is trying to do, Ford is looking to move on and once again be an asset to the Blazers on the field.

Dean pleased with practice

Valdosta State head coach David Dean took time between practices Tuesday morning to speak with media about the both practices on Monday and the opening session on Tuesday.
The sixth-year head coach said he was pleased with his team's split squad practices on Monday,and the start on Tuesday.
"I've thought we've had two good days," Dean said. "We are starting to get some more in and so some of the guys are starting to get a little confused, which is natural on the second day — especially some of the new guys."
Dean said he is pleased with the effort and that the team has been "flying around" and has had good effort.
"You are going to make mistakes, but you are never going to make a mistake on effort," Dean added. "If we can continue to get these guys thinking that they can play hard, and that they will play hard, we have a chance to be pretty good."
Dean said, as expected, timing on the offensive side of the football was a little off, as he said that is usually the thing that takes the longest to get into rhythm during fall practice. Defensively, Dean said the biggest thing to master is "reads" and "making calls."

In Wednesday's edition of the Times: Gerald Ford on the road to redemption at VSU

- Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/ed_hooper.

Football opponent preview (Game 3): Angelo State

The Valdosta State Blazers and Angelo State Rams meet Sept. 15 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game will be part of the Lonestar Football Festival, a three-day long event held at the stadium nicknamed "Jerry's World".

Angelo State Athletics

The meeting will be the first between the Blazers and Rams.

Angelo State began playing football in 1964 and won the NAIA National Championship in 1978. The Rams have made nine bowl/playoff appearances, but hasn't enjoyed success in recent seasons. The Rams were 5-6 in 2011, 5-5 in 2010 and 6-4 in 2009.

2011 recap

Angelo State started the 2011 season with three straight victories before losing four straight games to sit with a 3-4 record. The Rams ended their losing streak with a win over Texas A&M — Commerce, before finishing the final three games of the season with a 1-2 record.

Offensively, the Rams averaged 389.4 yards per game, 234.4 of which came through the air. 

Historically slow starters, the Rams were outscored 221-196 through the first three quarters before outscoring opponents 98-53 in the fourth quarter. 

Senior Tristan Carter led the way on the ground, finishing the season with 926 yards and 11 touchdowns. Freshman Blake Smith added 402 yards and four scores.

The Rams featured a two quarterback system in 2011. Jake Strickler appeared in 8 games and completed 85 of  156 attempts for 889 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions; Blake Hamblin appeared in six games and completed 118 of 198 passes for 1,443 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Hamblin started the first six games of the season before an injury sidelined him and gave way to Strickler, who started the final five games of the year.

Receiving, five different receivers recorded at least 20 receptions; C.J. Akins led the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns (36, 648 yards, 2 TDs).

Defensively, the Rams intercepted 8 passes the entire season and recovered 17 fumbles. 

2012 preview

The Rams open the season with a pair of home games against Western State of Colorado and Chadron State before facing the Blazers Sept. 15 at Cowboys Stadium. 

Blake Smith returns to be the primary running back, while Blake Hamblin returns for his junior football season. C.J. Akins returns for his senior season.

The Rams were picked to finish the season sixth in the Lonestar Conference this season. Midwestern State was picked to finish first, followed by Abilene Christian, West Texas A&M, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Tarleton State. 

Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.

Blazers respond to Greg Reid rumors

The Valdosta State football team hit the practice field for the first time this fall on Monday. Greg Reid was not in attendance, nor is he a member of the Blazers’ football team at this time.Valdosta State head coach David Dean was quick to end all the rumors circulating on social media Web site Twitter, saying the Blazers haven’t contacted Reid at this time.
“Honestly, there are a lot of rumors going around,” Dean said. “We have not talked to anybody, especially a Lowndes County resident. That is false. Those are rumors. We have not contacted him. As far as we know, he is still a part of Florida State. We have who we got here and we are going to roll with who we got.”

Blazer football notebook

Quarterback Cayden Cochran throws a pass during
Monday's practice. (Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times)

The Valdosta State Football team officially opened fall practice Monday morning with a pair of split squad practices. Over 100 Blazers worked out in the cool summer weather and used the heavy cloud cover to their advantage.
Here is a collection of stories from the Blazers' first day on the practice field:

Roelle seen working on side

Wide receiver Griffin Roelle, who led the Blazers in receptions in 2011 with 35, was seen working with athletic trainers during Monday's first practice session. Roelle was seen running down the sideline and around the field before standing and watching the practice's passing skeleton. Roelle did not catch a pass during the team's practice and it is unclear as to why he was sitting out of practice. No timetable was given for a return.

Greg Reid rumors swirl

Since being dismissed from the Florida State football team last Wednesday, speculation has surfaced about possible landing spots for former Lowndes Viking Greg Reid. One rumored landing spot is Valdosta State. On Monday, head coach David Dean said VSU has not contacted Reid, but he has contacted the coaching staff one time. Dean said at this time, he considers Reid "a student at Florida State." When asked if he could consider adding Reid to the team if he was released from scholarship by FSU, Dean said he would welcome the idea of sitting down and discussing the possibility.

Seantavious Jones is back

Seantavious Jones, who earned the nickname 'Stretch' last season because of his ability to stretch the field with his speed and size, was seen participating in the Blazers' second practice session Monday wearing his standard No. 1 uniform. Jones missed the end of spring practice with the team because of an injury. He then faced disciplinary action from the university. Dean said Jones is eligible to play and will be relied on much like he was last season. Jones led the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last season with 551 yards and six scores.

New helmets and practice uniforms

The Blazers sported new practice uniforms and new helmets Monday. Every member of the team was seen wearing new Riddell practice uniforms with a stripe down the side. The new uniforms are made of a heavier material and will hold up through the wear and tear for a longer period of time. Several players, including starters from the offensive line and quarterback Cayden Cochran, were seen wearing the new Revo Speed helmets at Monday's practice. Running back Theseus Jackson told reporters the helmets fit better and felt better on the head.

Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper and pick up the Valdosta Daily Times for more stories on the Blazers.