VALDOSTA —
Valdosta State football players Seantavious Jones and Daniel Andersen were named the Gulf South Conference Players of the Week following dominating performances in the Blazers’ 59-41 win over rival Delta State on Saturday.
Jones was named the GSC’s Offensive Player of the Week after hauling in a team-high nine catches for 210 yards and four touchdowns, all career highs. Jones’ receiving totals were the most of any player in the conference this season, and his four touchdown receptions were the most by a GSC receiver since 2009.
Andersen was named the conference’s Special Teams Player of the Week for the second consecutive week after he carried the Blazers in placekicking and punting. Andersen averaged 47.3 yards per punt, headlined by a 52-yard punt that pinned the Statesmen inside their own 20. Andersen also connected on eight extra points and a 49-yard field goal, which put the Blazers ahead 10-7 early in the first quarter.
The first of Jones’ touchdown catches came on the Blazers’ opening possession, when he hauled in a 74-yard pass from quarterback Cayden Cochran to give VSU an early 7-0 lead. The duo reconnected in the second quarter for touchdowns of 14 and 20 yards.
After VSU blew an 18-point third quarter lead, Jones hauled in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Cochran to put the Blazers back in front 45-41.
VSU added a pair of rushing touchdowns from freshman running back Cedric O’Neal to secure its first win over the Statesmen since 2005 and the first win over Delta State for head coach David Dean.
A strong case for Offensive Player of the Week could have been made for Cochran. The redshirt junior quarterback finished with 412 yards and a career-high five passing touchdowns. He also ran for 30 yards and a 1-yard rushing touchdown on VSU’s first possession of the second half.
Due to Jones’ performance, Cochran was not nominated for the award. Each GSC school is allowed just one nomination for Offensive Player of the Week.
All eyes will be on the Blazers Thursday night, when they visit the Shorter Hawks in the GSC Game of the Week. The game will be carried live on CSS.
Local Sports
Jones, Andersen tabbed GSC Players of the Week
- Local Sports
-
-
Prince Automotive donates new baseball equipment
Prince Automotive of Valdosta is supporting the Valdosta community through its partnership with the Valdosta/Lowndes County Recreation Department. The dealership has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment, instructional clinics, and a monetary donation.
-
Needmore holds final races before big Memorial Day weekend
Saturday night racing at Needmore Speedway saw some new faces in victory lane.
That wasn’t the case in the Late Model division, as Valdosta's Gene Ross drove to victory once again, but not without some close competition from Steven Roberts who came in second.
In the Limited Late Model class, it was another win for Cole Exum, with Gene Maine finishing second in the NAPA Auto Parts special. -
VSU softball wins South Region, headed to nationals
For the third time in four years, and second in a row, Valdosta State’s softball team will play in the national championship tournament.
The Blazers won their third South Region championship Saturday, beating Alabama-Huntsville 8-3 in game three of the best-of-three series at Steel’s Diamond at Blazer Park. -
VSU baseball season comes to an end
Delta State scored seven unanswered runs to defeat Valdosta State 7-2 in an elimination game of the NCAA South Region Tournament at the UT Baseball Field Saturday afternoon.
-
Blazers take 1-0 series lead
Angela O’Connor launched a pinch-hit two-run home run over the left-field fence, tying the game against Alabama-Huntsville in the bottom of the sixth inning, and sparking the Blazers and their fans along the way.
-
Blazer baseball stays alive, beats Stillman
Valdosta State scored five runs in the first inning to defeat Stillman 6-2 in an elimination game of the NCAA South Region Tournament at UT Baseball Field Friday morning.
-
Lowndes’ Harwell, Wortham sign with Valdosta State
Lowndes’ Ty Harwell and David Wortham won’t have to go far to play college baseball.
-
Blazers host respected rival UAH in Super Regional
One would expect a matchup featuring two of the top softball programs in Division II to come in the national championship game.
Unfortunately for Valdosta State and Alabama-Huntsville, who have combined to appear in four straight national championship games, they won’t be meeting in title game on Memorial Day in Salem, Va. -
Pop Warner Football coming to Valdosta
Pop Warner Football is coming to Valdosta.
The nationally known organization that puts an emphasis on education and developing American youth has been established in the Valdosta area and will begin playing football this August. -
Blazers lose to Delta State, fall to loser’s bracket
If the Valdosta State baseball team is going to win the South Region Tournament, the Blazers going to have to do it from the loser’s bracket.
The Blazers (33-17) dropped their first game of the tournament Thursday, falling to Delta State 4-2 at UT Baseball Stadium.
VSU will face Stillman College, which lost to No. 1 seed and tournament host Tampa Thursday, Friday at 11 a.m. to advance to the weekend portion of the tournament. The loser will be eliminated. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
