By: Kipp Branch

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

VSU is coming off its fourth national championship this century and is under the direction of new head coach Gary Goff.

The Blazers are picked to finish first in the preseason Gulf South Conference Poll after going, a school-record, 14-0 last season to win the title.

Blazer junior quarterback Rogan Wells, along with sophomore running backs Seth McGill and Jamar Thompkins, junior wide receivers Kenny Benjamin and Lio’undre Gallimore and senior offensive lineman Adonis Sealey comprised a league-high six offensive selections for the Blazers on the preseason all-conference team.

On defense, senior defensive lineman Joe Mozone and sophomore linebacker Jameon Gaskin earned spots on the team, as did junior special teams utility player Pippin Davis.

Wells tossed 38 TD passes for VSU in 2018 and finished as the Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Could Wells be the favorite Harlon Hill Trophy favorite in 2019, which is the Heisman Trophy in Division II football? He was the runner up in 2018.

Head Coach Gary Goff played for VSU under Hal Mumme and was a team captain in 1996 when VSU won its first Gulf South Conference Title.

Valdosta State Schedule and my predictions:

Sat, Sep 7        @ Albany State (GA): The Blazers travel to Albany for this one. VSU runs out to an early lead and runs away with this contest 44-16 to run the winning streak to 15.

Sat, Sep 14      vs Ohio Dominican: Ohio Dominican is not coming to Bazemore-Hyder and winning. Blazers win big 52-7. Winning streak is now 16 games.

Sat, Sep 21      vs West Alabama: West Alabama should be a good football team in 2019, but not good enough to beat VSU at home. Blazers stay undefeated 34-27

Sat, Sep 28      @ Shorter: Blazers will beat the brakes off of Shorter 49-10. The winning streak now stands at 18 games.

Sat, Oct 5        vs Mississippi College: MC comes to Valdosta and takes a long bus ride back home with a 38-19 loss. Blazer winning streak is now 19 games.

Sat, Oct 12      @ Delta State: With the meat of the schedule coming in the next month the Blazers struggle at Delta State, but kick a last second FG to win 34-31. The winning streak reaches 20 games.

Sat, Oct 19      vs Florida Tech: State of Florida has very good athletes, but the Blazers whip Florida Tech 42-27 in Valdosta. The winning streak is now 21 games.

Sat, Oct 26      @ North Greenville: Valdosta is on a roll now and handles NG 35-24. Valdosta State now has a 22-game winning streak.

Sat, Nov 9       vs West Florida: Senior Day at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium is a festive one as VSU extends the winning streak to 23 games with an impressive 44-28 win over West Florida and with the win the Blazers clinch their second straight Gulf South Conference title and a Division II playoff berth.

Sat, Nov 16     @ West Georgia: West Georgia will be a very solid football team, and lay the trap for the Blazers. The Blazers get caught looking ahead to the playoffs after clinching a conference championship and get upset by West Georgia 38-34.

The winning streak ends at 23 games, and the Blazers fall to 9-1 on the season as they head into the playoffs with the wakeup call needed to get their heads out of the clouds.

This team has what it takes to win another National Championship in 2019. Four national titles in 14 years makes Valdosta State on of the premier Division II programs in the country.

Interesting Fact: Brunswick High School head football coach Sean Pender holds the Gulf South Conference record for receptions in a season with 111. Pender set that record in 1995.