VALDOSTA —
The Valdosta State football team will host the Carson-Newman Eagles in the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium today. Kickoff is set for noon.
“All I have heard (the players) talk about is Carson-Newman,” Valdosta State head coach David Dean.
“They are looking at Carson-Newman and they know the challenge that is ahead of them. The big thing for us is to not have a big let down after an emotional win last week.”
The Blazers and Eagles were ranked Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in Super Region 2, when the playoff field was announced last month. Both teams were awarded bye’s in the opening round of the playoffs. Last week, Valdosta State beat West Alabama 49-21, while Carson-Newman used a late touchdown to get past Lenoir-Rhyne 38-35.
Today is the seventh all-time meeting between the Blazers and Eagles and the sixth meeting that has come in the postseason. The series is currently tied 3-3, although Valdosta State has won three of the previous four meetings, including the most recent in the 2008 playoffs.
“We don’t have an opportunity to play those guys very much in the regular season, so it has been in the postseason,” Dean said of the meetings. “There is a lot on the line and I know they are well coached. There is a reason why they are where they are. They have good athletes, they’re big and physical and they are very good at what they do, offensively.”
Carson-Newman features an impressive triple-option, veer offensive attack that averages 480 yards and 40.7 points per game.
Quarterback Brandon Haywood has thrown for 1,065 yards with seven touchdowns, rushed for 945 yards and has a team-high 15 rushing touchdowns in 11 games this season.
Running back Brandon Baker leads the team with 1,313 yards rushing with 12 touchdowns, while Tyron Douglas has 688 yards with 10 touchdowns. Andy Hibbett has rushed for 622 yards with six touchdowns this season.
“Everything happens so fast. It is very tough on your linebackers because they have to fill the hole, but then the quarterback can pull it out and go,” Dean said. “The scary thing is, the quarterback ran it 34 times last week and their running backs ran it 27 and 24. So who you going to key on? It is very tough to do.”
Defensively, Carson-Newman runs a base 4-3 defense and allows 399.5 yards per game.
“They play a solid base and there isn’t much trickery,” captain and left tackle Cam Short said. “They are not going to try and scare you with anything. Basically what they do, they come out, play a base 4-3 and say, ‘beat us.’”
Valdosta State enters today’s game riding a seven-game win streak, which dates back to Sept. 29. During the winning streak, the Blazers are averaging 43 points per game, largely because of their ability to mix in the run and the pass.
Freshmen running backs Cedric O’Neal and Austin Scott have combined for 1,675 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, while the Blazers are averaging 261.1 yards passing per game.
“I would say there has been a lot of folks come out and give a great effort, but in the end, we have kept the peddle down and lots has worked out for us,” Short said. “I’m not saying we aren’t lucky, because we’ve some bounces go our way, but everything keeps going our way and hopefully it continues.”
The Blazer offense will be without one key weapon today. Junior receiver Regginald Lewis has been suspended by the NCAA for an illegal hit on West Alabama’s kicker during last week’s game. Lewis is second in receptions with 50 this season at Valdosta State.
The winner of today’s game will face either Minnesota State-Mankato or Missouri Western State in the national semifinals next weekend.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Valdosta State running back Austin Scott (23) stiff-arms a North Alabama defender in a game earlier this season. The Blazers host Carson-Newman in the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals today at noon in Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Ed Hooper
-
Tyler Josey (45) tackles Texas A&M-Kingsville’s quarterback during a game last month at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Josey and the Blazers host Carson-Newman today in the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals. Brandon Powers
Discussion
Blazers host Carson-Newman in NCAA quarterfinals today
- Local Sports
-
-
Gillespie, McPherson pleased with spring practices
Valdosta’s Rance Gillespie and Lowndes’ Randy McPherson both think their football teams got better during the recent 10 days of spring practice.
Then again, both coaches know their teams have a ways to go before the start of the football season. -
Signing day at VHS
It was signing day galore at Valdosta High School Wednesday.
Six student-athletes signed national letter of intents to compete at the next level, while two VHS athletes both signed academic scholarships to Division I universities. -
Powell signs with Shorter
Robert Powell, a member of the basketball team on South Georgia State College’s Waycross Campus, has signed a letter of intent to continue his basketball career at Shorter University in Rome.
-
Sending the Blazers off
The Valdosta State softball team made the long journey to Salem, Va. Tuesday, leaving Valdosta at 10:30 a.m. with devoted fans cheering them out of the parking lot.
-
All-Region teams announced
Lowndes was one win away from a trip to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals, and the success by the Vikings this season showed when the All-Region 1 baseball teams were announced Monday.
-
Lowndes tennis dominates
Lowndes’ tennis team dominated the All-Region 1 teams, with coach Heath Phelps garnering Coach of the Year honors on both the girls’ and boys’ side.
-
Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby a success
The 13th annual Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby held May 11 drew 150 children from ages 3 to 15 who competed for trophies while learning how to fish.
-
Valdosta's Alakulppi ties for 2nd at state
Valdosta freshman golfer Luukas Alakulppi fired a 71 to finish in a tie for second at the Class AAAAAAA state golf tournament in Tifton.
-
Brooks County's Parrish in Rivals Top 100
Brooks County rising senior Malkolm Parrish is ranked the 73rd best high school football prospect in the nation, according to the release of the Rivals.com Top 100.
-
Summer camp information
VSU baseball camp coming soon
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Gillespie, McPherson pleased with spring practices
