VALDOSTA —
VALDOSTA — When Valdosta State’s depth chart came out the week of the Wingate game, something didn’t look right.
Ronnye Nelson, a three-year starter at running back and a captain as a junior, was missing from the starting lineup.
Not only that, Nelson wasn’t even on the two-deep roster.
Instead, running backs David Arnold and David Bailey were No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
Nelson, a senior, said he didn’t show up to camp in shape, like the other backs did, and they outworked him.
“I was used to being the starter, and some of the guys outworked me and came into camp in better shape than I did,” Nelson said. “I know it’s my senior year, and I wanted to perform.”
Not until the starters were announced did it hit Nelson that he wasn’t the main guy in the backfield. He said it motivated him to have a good game.
He was going to have to wait his turn, but not for very long. He didn’t start, but one of the Blazers’ best playmakers made his mark on just the fourth play from scrimmage. Nelson took a direct snap, and charged through the defense for a 53-yard touchdown.
Fellow running back Michael Brown sold the play, faking a carry to the outside that drew away a key defender, but it was Nelson who avoided being tripped up at the 5-yard line, and stumbled into the end zone for the first points of 2010.
He wasn’t done. Nelson totaled 202 all-purpose yards against Wingate. He ran for 83 yards on 10 carries, caught three passes for 49 yards, returned two punts for 40 yards, including a long of 37, and returned two kickoffs for 30 yards.
He helped set up VSU’s game-winning field goal when he made an acrobatic catch at midfield, and raced 22 yards into Daniel Andersen’s range.
“Well, I always believe in myself, and my coaches and teammates always believe in me,” Nelson said. “Any time I can get the ball in my hands, I feel like I can make a play.”
Now Nelson is looking for a repeat performance at Newberry this Saturday. The Blazers dressed nine backs against Wingate, but they will surely seek to get the ball in Nelson’s hands after his big performance last week.
“They have a really good secondary,” Nelson said. “They’re very physical. Their linebackers do a good job of filling the holes. They have a great defensive line. We’re hoping we can open up some holes and crease them a little bit.”
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Valdosta State running back Ronnye Nelson celebrates with teammates David Bailey (20) and Gerald Ford (19) after scoring a touchdown against Wingate last Saturday. Jonathan M. Chick | The Valdosta Daily Times
Discussion
Nelson looks for repeat performance at Newberry
- Local Sports
-
-
Big win for Lady Blazers
Receiving little respect around the conference, region and nation, the Valdosta State women’s basketball team made a statement Thursday night.
The Lady Blazers put together an impressive defensive performance, mixed in with effective offense, to defeat the Alabama-Huntsville Lady Chargers, who entered the night tied for first place in the Gulf South Conference, 65-55. -
No. 6 Chargers rout Valdosta State, 87-65
The season-long struggles for the Valdosta State men’s basketball team hit an all-time high Thursday night, as the Blazers were blown out by sixth-ranked Alabama-Huntsville, 87-65 at the P.E. Complex.
“It was just a knockout punch from the beginning,” Valdosta State head coach Mike Helfer said. “Give (Alabama-Huntsville) a lot of credit for where they are. They are in the hunt for the league lead and they are a great program. They did what they had to do from the start, which was take control of the game.” -
Lowndes’ Chapman, Talmage named to all-star team
Lowndes softball players Ashley Chapman and Maiah Talmage have been chosen to play in the GACA All-Star Softball Showcase in June.
The GACA All-Star Softball Showcase is an annual softball game between top senior players from South Georgia and North Georgia. The game will be played on June 13 at Alto Park in Rome, Ga. -
Berrien, Cook, Lanier announce 2012 schedules
The Valdosta Daily Times has recently received the upcoming 2012 football schedules for the Cook Hornets, Berrien Rebels and Lanier County Bulldogs.
Lanier County kicks off regular season play Aug. 24 with a visit from Atkinson County. Cook and Berrien begin play on Aug. 31, when the Hornets host Worth County and the Rebels visit Calhoun. -
VLPRA group participates in Special Olympics
On the weekend of Jan. 20-22, 21 Special Olympic athletes from the Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation Authority traveled to Marietta to compete in the 2012 Special Olympics Georgia Winter Games.
-
Lowndes, Valdosta close out regular season tonight
The Lowndes and Valdosta varsity basketball teams close out regular season play tonight.
Lowndes will host Coffee, while Valdosta hosts Tift County. The girls will tipoff at 6 and the boys at 7:30 p.m.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
