McKINNEY, Texas – Valdosta State’s dreams of a fifth Division II national football championship were dashed Saturday afternoon with a 49-14 loss to Ferris State.

This was the third time the Blazers and Ferris State had met in the finale. Previously each team had won a game.

Everything rolled the Bulldogs’ way throughout.

One prime example was Kannon Katzer juggling a pass from Trinidad Chambliss in the second quarter. Though the ball almost bounced out of his hands, it instead stayed in and he held on for a touchdown catch that put the Bulldogs ahead 21-0 early in the second quarter.

Twice near the end of the first half, penalties extended a Ferris State drive before Chambliss found a wide open Emari O’Brien on busted coverage with 10 seconds to go.

In the second half, quarterback Sammy Edwards reached for a first down and instead saw Ferris State knock it loose for a 20-yard scoop and score by Tyrone Fowler. Chambliss’ last play of the game before exiting was a pass batted back to him that he took for a first down.

It was that kind of day for the Blazers, who entered the contest with a perfect 13-0 record, having outscored their three playoffs opponents 117-52.

Valdosta State did have their highlights.

Tyler Ajiero scored on a 39-yard catch from Edwards that was a fourth down conversion at 1:49 in the second quarter.

Blake Hester got the Blazers’ other TD on the rare fortunate bounce.

Rarely-used Harrison Hamsley had a couple of catches for VSU. The second saw him attempt to muscle his way over the goal line on the final yard and instead lose the football. Hester pounced on it in the end zone.

Noah Botsford had many fine punts, including one that sailed over 60 yards and pinned the Bulldogs on the 1 with another. Botsford averaged 49 yards per boot.

Though Ferris State scored on their first three possessions to go ahead 21-0, it was their defense that arguably made the biggest difference for the big trophy.

Edwards, who placed fourth in Harlon Hill voting Friday, was harassed constantly, finding few opportunities to throw deep. He frequently had to check down to closer routes and saw himself flushed from the pocket often. VSU’s first drive was halted in Bulldogs’ territory on a big sack that put them out of field goal range.

A strip sack as time expired ended Valdosta State’s last possession of the game in the red zone.

Alfonso Franklin drove the offense for much of the first half, finishing with 102 rush yards on 14 carries.

Edwards was 25-of-42 for 190 yards. Ajiero had the most receptions and yards for VSU, five and 57, respectively, with the touchdown.

Larry Elder had an amazing 14 tackles for the game, six of them solo. The defense only knocked down the Bulldogs once behind the line of scrimmage, a combined effort by Diego Bremer and Allan Baugh.

Chambliss rushed for two touchdowns, including the Bulldogs’ first of the day. He threw for three, completing 11 of 20 passes for 153 yards. Ferris State also scored a touchdown on an end around pass by Brady Rose to Cam Underwood.

Underwood led all receivers with 86 yards and two touchdowns in three catches. The Bulldogs’ defense forced four fumbles.