VALDOSTA —
The Valdosta State football team took over as the top-ranked team in Super Region 2 Monday. Now, the Blazers will sit back for a week and hope they can hold on to the No. 1 ranking through their bye week and into the playoffs.
The final region rankings will be released Sunday evening.
The Blazers' rise to the top of the region was made possible after previous No. 1 Miles and No. 2 West Alabama lost this past weekend.
Following its loss to Tuskegee, Miles dropped to No. 2 in the region, followed by Mars Hill, Carson-Newman, Fort Valley State and Lenoir-Rhyne.
West Alabama, ranked second in last week’s rankings, dropped to No. 7 in the region following its overtime loss to Abilene Christian; UNC-Pembroke is ranked eighth, followed by Albany State and North Alabama.
The top six seeds in the region are awarded playoff berths when the final rankings are released Sunday. The top two teams in the region are awarded bye weeks and won't play until Nov. 24, while the remaining four teams in the region begin play Nov. 17 in the opening round.
If the playoffs were to begin this week, Valdosta State and Miles would be awarded bye weeks, while Mars Hill would host Lenoir-Rhyne and Carson-Newman would host Fort Valley State.
The region rankings will surely change prior to Sunday's final release, as No. 3 Mars Hill visits No. 4 Carson-Newman Saturday; No. 2 Miles faces No. 5 Fort Valley State in the SIAC Championship. Valdosta State is idle and is not guaranteed the region’s top ranking for the
playoffs.
Blazers sweep GSC awards
For the fourth straight week, Valdosta State had players represented in the Players of the Week awards within the Gulf South Conference.
This week, though, the Blazers, now ranked 18th in the latest American Football Coaches' Association Top 25, swept the weekly honors following a 38-31 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville last Thursday night.
Quarterback Cayden Cochran was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive time; Defensive lineman Tyler Josey was named the Defensive Player of teh Week and kicker Daniel Andersen was named the Special Teams Player of the Week.
Cochran completed 24 of 37 passes for 331 yards in VSU’s win, throwing four touchdowns, including three of at least 44 yards. With his four TDs, Cochran now 19 passing scores this season, the most by a Blazer quarterback since 2008.
Josey earned the Defensive Player of the Week honor for the first time in his career after he caused havoc in the Javelina backfield all night; he tallied six total tackles, four sacks, two quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles in the Blazers’ win on senior night.
Playing in his final home regular season game of his career, Josey’s third forced fumble came in Blazer territory with 3:35 remaining and was recovered by teammate Chris Pope, setting up the winning drive for the Blazers.
Andersen garnered Special Teams Player of the Week honors for the third time in four weeks and for the fifth time in his career. Andersen scored seven points in the game as he connected on all four extra point attempts and converted a 22-yard field goal.
He also averaged 35.8 yards per punt and had two land inside the Kingsville 20-yard line.
Local Sports
Blazers take over top spot in region
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Summer camp information
VSU baseball camp coming soon
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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.
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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. - More Local Sports Headlines
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