VALDOSTA – Valdosta State’s fate is now in its own hands.
With a big 27-24 win over North Alabama on Saturday, the Blazers have been rewarded with a second-place ranking in the NCAA Division II Southeast Region rankings.
Valdosta State (7-1, 5-1) made the jump from third to second, while UNA (7-1, 5-1) fell to that third-place spot. Delta State (7-1, 6-0) took over first place after beating West Georgia, 41-7.
Rounding out the top six are: Catawba (8-1), Carson-Newman (8-1) and Fort Valley State (8-2), who moved up from seventh.
VSU sits in a tie for second place in the Gulf South Conference with North Alabama. Delta State, which beat VSU 35-31 earlier this month, leads the conference.
The Blazers have two games to go in the regular season, against opponents with a combined record of 5-11.
This Saturday, VSU makes the long trip to face the Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils (4-5, 3-3).
Then the Blazers wrap up the regular season with a Thursday night showdown against the West Georgia Wolves (2-7, 1-5) at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium on Nov. 9.
Though they are ranked second now in the Southeast, they can’t let off the gas peddle just yet.
Delta State wraps up their season against West Alabama (1-7, 0-5) and Arkansas-Monticello. North Alabama wraps up their season against West Georgia and West Alabama.
With all three of the top teams facing very beatable opponents in the final two games of the season, there is no room for error.
The region standings make or break a team destined for the postseason. Just ask the 2006 Blazers.
Last season, Valdosta State was ousted from the postseason due to the ranking system. VSU was bumped out by Albany State, the SIAC conference champions, despite beating them 20-16 in the first week of the season.
Local Sports
Blazers take second in Southeast
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VSU's Harris suspended indefinitely
A shortened, diminished roster for the Valdosta State men's basketball team took another blow Thursday following the suspension of senior guard Sidney Harris.
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Big weekend ahead for Lady Blazers
It might be an understatement to call this weekend’s two home games for the Valdosta State women’s basketball team a big deal, because that is exactly what they are.
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Blazers fall to Albany State, 7-3
The Valdosta State baseball team was handed a third-straight loss Wednesday night, as the Blazers fell to in-state foe Albany State, 7-3.
The Blazers were held in check for much of the night, despite being aided by nine Golden Ram walks. With runners on base, the Blazers were unable to produce enough offense to score runs, leaving 12 runners stranded in the game. -
Wildcats rally for 50-40 win over Brooks
Valdosta’s boys basketball team came alive in the fourth quarter, and rallied for a 50-40 victory over Brooks County on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats outscored Brooks 24-9 in the fourth quarter, and turned a five-point deficit into a 10-point win. -
VSU soccer announces 2012 signing class
Valdosta State and Head Coach Melissa Heinz announced the signing of Blazer Soccer’s second recruiting class.
After bringing in a large class of 31 in its initial signing day, the now established program that went to the Gulf South Conference Championship match welcomes seven new players with a few more expected. -
Valdosta celebrates 2011 season
On Tuesday night, the 2011 Valdosta High football team was honored at the team’s annual awards banquet for a season that included the program’s first region championship since 2003.
The Wildcats went 8-3 in 2011, won their first Winnersville Classic in eight years and earned their 41st region title. -
Lowndes junior varsity tennis earns two wins
Lowndes High tennis opened up the 2012 season with a JV double-header in Waycross Wednesday afternoon
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Lady Packers beat Lowndes, 55-48
The Colquitt County Lady Packers handed the Lowndes Vikettes a second straight loss Tuesday night, 55-48.
Jamesia Jones led Lowndes with 10 points, while Courtne Washington had nine. Tasia Brown finished with eight. -
Braves unveil another alternate home uniform
Hank Aaron recognized the look. Just not the feel.
The Atlanta Braves unveiled a new alternate home uniform Monday that is based on the attire worn when the team moved from Milwaukee in 1966, with Aaron as its biggest star. -
Valdosta native Garland named to Armstrong Atlantic HOF
Armstrong Atlantic State University has announced its latest induction class for the Armstrong Atlantic State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Among the six inductees and one Service Citation award winner is Valdosta native Nikki Garland, who ran cross county and track and field with the Pirates.
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VSU's Harris suspended indefinitely
