VALDOSTA – It will be a rematch between Valdosta State and Delta State next Saturday, with a little bit more on the line this time – a berth in the Super Region Two finals of the NCAA Division II championship.
Valdosta State, No. 3 in the bracket, had a 62-41 first round victory against Limestone with a second half that turned into a track meet. No. 2 Delta State demolished West Florida, 45-14, itself a rematch from the Statemen’s only loss of 2023.
Delta State will host the encounter. No time has been announced yet. In the other Super Region Two bracket game, Benedict will host Lenoir-Rhyne.
Though the Blazers held a lead throughout, Limestone closed to 41-27 early in the fourth quarter and were on the move again following a VSU punt.
However, Dustin Noller airmailed a throw and Nick Jackson was there to pick it off. Though Jackson’s nice runback was cut by a penalty, the crisis was averted. Two-and-a-half minutes later, a scrambling Sammy Edwards hit a wide open Rodney Bullard in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown.
Estin Thiele, perfect on extra points for the day, kicked this one at 7:18 for a 48-27 lead.
Bud Chaney bulled his way three yards for VSU at 5:38 for a 55-27 score.
The Saints weren’t a threat anymore, but never went away.
Dylan Reeves was all alone for a 34-yard Noller touchdown at 3:30. Kevin Lalin went around right end for a 20-yard score with 51 seconds remaining.
In between, VSU wasn’t done, either, crossing the 60-point threshold for the second time this year. Isaiah Flowers burst up the middle for a 31-yard touchdown at 2:01. They opted to kneel after the final Limestone score.
The first half was much more one-sided, the Blazers up 31-7 at intermission after going up 28-0.
Limestone had no answer for Valdosta State on their first drive, Edwards zipping the hosts 77 yards in four plays. Bullard finished off the initial touchdown drive with an 18-yard catch over the middle.
Touchdown No. 2 was set up by a strip sack, one of two for the Blazers. DeVon Reaves recovered this one for VSU at the 15 after Tyler Morehead knocked the ball loose.
The Saints sacked Edwards during the possession, but recovered to fire to Council Allen in the front corner of the end zone for 23 yards at 7:06.
Head coach Tremaine Jackson rolled the dice on the next Blazers’ possession, going for it on fourth down. Kam Scott took a short pass from Edwards that initially looked like it would just moved the sticks. It turned into something more as Scott broke two tackles to zip to paydirt. At 21-0, VSU was firmly in control.
Edwards lofted a pass over defenders for Allen to take it to the house at 12:16 in the second, a play that covered 29 yards.
Limestone rebounded with Jelani Baker taking a six-yard pass from Noller on the subsequent Saints’ drive. This was the first score of the day for Limestone, coming at 4:34.
Edwards kept the final drive of the first half alive with his legs as much as his arms. He scrambled 15 yards for a first down at midfield. Chaney converted a first down on a catch at the 38 as time dipped under a minute.
Eric Watts took a pass to the 10, Jackson calling timeout with 4.6 seconds left to bring out Thiele for a field goal. His first attempt was blocked as time expired, but the Saints were whistled for being offsides.
Given a second chance with the untimed down, Thiele’s toe was perfect and VSU went into intermission ahead 31-7.
VSU’s lead reached its apex, 31 points at 38-7, on their first drive of the second half. Ted Hurst gathered in a 25-yard touchdown throw as Edwards absorbed a late hit.
After struggling in the first half to do more than run, Noller began having luck with short passes. Herman McCray reeled in a two-yarder from Noller at 6:49 in the third for their initial score of the second half. Giant back Preston Lounds was stuffed, though, as he attempted to bowl over everyone for two points.
The Saints soon had the ball back after a punt, and nearly as quickly had a score, Doug Washington making a leaping catch on a 40-yard Noller pass. The score narrowed to 38-20.
Thiele came in for a 35-yard field goal at 13:33 after VSU bogged at the 18. Baker then made it a two-touchdown deficit, slipping into the end zone at 11:51 on a four-yard reception.
Edwards finished the day with 344 yards on 27-of-40 pass, with six touchdowns. The Blazers had no turnovers, though Edwards was sacked four times. Allen and Bullard caught two scoring throws each, Allen with a team-high 106 receiving yards.
Chaney had half of VSU’s 275 rushing yards, with 132. Valdosta State gained 6.1 yards per carry.
Kyle Cass broke up three passes for the Blazer defense. Jaylin Mobley joined Morehead with a forced fumble each, Mobley’s strip sack ending a late Limestone drive on downs.
Saturday’s results also ensured a new Division II champion in 2023. Two-time defenders Ferris State fell to Grand Valley State, 21-14.