VALDOSTA — The auditorium in Valdosta State’s Continuing Education building erupted Sunday morning, as a year of fighting back from disappointment came to an end.
At 11:30 a.m. Sunday, when the Division II football playoff seedings were announced on ESPNU, the VSU football family watched in glee.
The dozens of players, coaches, fans, VSU Athletic Staff and family watched on a jumbo screen as the Northwest, Southwest and Northeast seedlings were announced.
Last but not least, the Southeast Region’s section of the bracket came through the projector, displaying VSU as the No. 1 seed, awaiting the winner of the first-round matchup of Catawba (10-1) and Albany State (8-2).
“We’re excited,” VSU coach David Dean said. “Good things always come last, I guess.”
The Blazers (9-1) may have had to wait until the end of the announcement for their selection this season, but that sure is better than what happened a year ago.
Seeded No. 6 in the Southeast in 2006, the Blazers were bumped from the playoffs by Albany State (a team VSU had beaten during the regular season), under the NCAA’s earned-access rule.
VSU worked all year to take the decision out of the selection committee’s hands, and there isn’t a more definite way to do that than to earn the No. 1 slot.
“It feels good,” VSU quarterback Willie Copeland said. “Last year they denied us, but this year they couldn’t.”
By earning the No. 1 seed, the Blazers became the first team to be atop the Southeast for two consecutive weeks.
VSU, North Alabama and Delta State all had the top ranking this year, with the Blazers starting the year in the coveted spot.
Delta overtook the Blazers, only to fall when it lost to UNA.
“I give a lot credit to our kids,” Dean said. “After they lost to Delta State, it would have been easy to survive and hopefully get into to the playoffs, but they fought their way back up and got the No. 1 seed. And I’m awfully proud of them for that.”
The Blazers were ranked No. 2 after defeating the Lions 27-24 three weeks ago, and moved permanently to the top following a 63-28 win at Arkansas-Monticello.
“It shows that if you take care off business, you deserve the No. 1 spot,” VSU senior tight end Zach Parker said. “But, you never know who in that room is going to make a vote, and who’s going to swing what way. I think we deserved it, the way we played.”
The No. 1 seed means that VSU will host the second round, and if they win, then the Region Championship, before moving on to play the winner of the Northeast Region in the national semifinals.
“We wanted the No. 1 spot, and to stay at home throughout,” VSU senior center Davis Russell said. “I think we’ll have great home support. It’s great to be home.”
The Blazers will have to wait until Saturday to find out who their opponent will be between fifth-seeded Albany State and fourth-seeded Catawba.
While the Blazers haven’t played against Catawba this year, they faced Albany State in the season opener at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. VSU dominated that contest, 41-3.
“We already played Albany State,” Russell said. “We know they got a lot better as the season went on, and Catawba we don’t know much about, but we know they’re always tough. We’re just excited to play either one.”
Playing against the No. 4 or No. 5 seed means the Blazers won’t have to play both Delta State and North Alabama.
Earning the No. 2 seed, the Lions will wait in the second round for either the Statesmen or the No. 6 seed, Shaw.
“I think it worked out well for us,” Dean said. “We’re going to have to go through a lot of people, but Delta and North Alabama have to play each other, and that’s going to be a very physical game. Again, I’m excited, and it doesn’t matter who you put in front of us, we’re just excited about being there.”
VSU will take time off and return to the practice field to prepare against either the Golden Rams or the Indians, and heal up any lingering injuries from their last game against West Georgia.
“Now we focus on what we have to do,” Parker said. “We’ll take this week off, let everybody heal up, and come out next week and get focused on our goal.”
VSU playoff tickets
Tickets for Valdosta State’s second-round matchup go on sale to the general public today at 9 a.m. VSU season ticket holders have until noon Tuesday to re-purchase their tickets, before they get released.
Tickets prices are $15 for reserved, $8 general admission and $4 for students and youth tickets.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
VSU football players, coaches, staff, family, friends and fans react to being seeded No. 1 in the Southeast Region for the 2007 NCAA Division II football playoffs. The results were broadcast on a jumbo screen in the VSU Continuing Education building Sunday at 11 a.m
Discussion
Blazing into the playoffs
Valdosta State earns No. 1 seed in the Southeast RegionBy Bryan Fazio
- Local Sports
-
-
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.
-
Freeman, Trojans finalize '12 schedule
The Brooks County Trojans’ football motto is to ‘bring the hammer’ each and every Friday night.
Well, the Trojans now know exactly who they will have to bring that hammer to this upcoming season, as head coach Maurice Freeman recently finalized Brooks County’s 2012 football schedule. -
New York wins Super Bowl
Eli Manning and the Giants one-upped Tom Brady and the Patriots again, coming back with a last-minute touchdown to beat New England 21-17 Sunday night for New York’s fourth Super Bowl title.
- Super Bowl boosts Indy’s image
-
Blazer softball sweeps Nova Southeastern
On Super Bowl Sunday, Valdosta State showed why it has been one of the super teams in the south region for years now.
-
Blazers fall to Saints
Just 24 hours after earning an impressive opening day victory, the Valdosta State baseball team struggled to find a rhythm against North Georgia, as the Blazers fell to the Saints 8-3.
North Georgia pitcher Blake Hobby was a major factor for VSU’s struggles. The senior right-hander held the Blazers to just one run on four hits across his eight innings of work on the hill. -
Tift County wins region wrestling championship
Tift County won the Region 1-AAAAA traditional wrestling championship on Saturday at Lowndes High School.
Tift had three individual region champions, had wrestlers place in the top three in 13 of the 14 weight classes and qualified wrestlers for next weekend’s sectional tournament in all 14 weight classes. Tift earned 184 team points, two points more than second-place Lowndes. -
Wildcats beat Crisp in overtime
Valdosta’s boys basketball team dominated the overtime period, and defeated Crisp County 66-56 on Saturday night at the VHS gym.
The Wildcats outscored the Cougars 17-7 in overtime to pull away for the win.
“Another big win,” Valdosta head coach Antonio Haynes said. “I’m happy for the guys. They played hard. They deserved this win.” - More Local Sports Headlines
-
Lady Packers beat Lowndes, 55-48
