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
-
-
Wildcats close spring practice
VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Wildcats put their finishing touches on spring practice Saturday night with the playing of their annual spring game at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
No score was kept in the game, but the Wildcats did play best-on-best, pitting the starting offense against the starting defense. -
Ely backs out of VHS softball job
VALDOSTA — Two months ago, the Valdosta High School softball team received a huge burst of excitement with the hire of Kristina Ely. -
Fans welcome home champion Blazers
Much like it had done all season, the local Valdosta community showed its support for the National Champion Valdosta State softball team Sunday.
The support started when the team reached the Georgia state-line on its trip home Sunday morning when it was greeted by 13 police vehicles -
COLUMN: Blazers title win caps off another year of local sports
The Valdosta State softball teams 4-1 victory over UC-San Diego in the Division II National Championship Game capped off another season of local area sports.
The next thing to look forward to will be the start of football training camps in August. -
Valdosta teammates Foster, Bridges sign with Albany State
Valdosta basketball players Sierra Foster and LaPorchia Bridges have been teammates for years. Now they will remain teammates at the next level.
Foster and Bridges have both signed letters of intent to play basketball for Albany State next year. -
David Dean youth football camp set for May 29 start
The David Dean Youth Football Camp is quickly approaching.
The fourth annual camp will be held May 29-June 1 at the Athletic Fieldhouse off Mary Street. -
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
The Valdosta State softball team faced all kinds of adversity throughout the national tournament. After losing to UC-San Diego in the first game of the tournament on Wednesday, the Blazers staved off four elimination games en route to an appearance in the Division II National Championship Game on Saturday afternoon.
-
VSU seniors come up big at national level
For the eight seniors on the Valdosta State softball team, Saturday’s 4-1 win in the national championship game capped off a four-year run filled with success.
-
Blazers to play on championship Saturday
The Valdosta State softball team advanced to the final day of the NCAA Division II Softball Championship Tournament following two wins on Friday.
-
VSU beats Southern Connecticut State, 6-3
Morgan Johnson hit a 3-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to carry the top-ranked Valdosta State Blazers past the Southern Connecticut Owls, 6-3, on Friday morning.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Wildcats close spring practice
