By: Kipp Branch

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

How many people can say they witnessed the first win of a football program? This writer can say that. I was there as new freshman living in Patterson Hall as me and my friends watched Valdosta State College beat Troy State 24-21 in the fall of 1982.

Fast forward to 2018 where Head Coach Kerwin Bell enters his third year and the Blazers are projected to be in the middle of the pack in the annual poll taken of Gulf South Conference head coaches throughout the league.

The Blazers garnered 38 points, finishing 24 points behind league favorite West Alabama with 62 points and 6 first-place nods. West Florida, the 2017 national runner-up, was picked second with 59 points and 3 first-place votes, while West Georgia was picked third with 44 points.

Delta State was selected fourth with 41 points, followed by VSU and Florida Tech was sixth with 32 points. Rounding out the final three teams, league-newcomer North Greenville was seventh with 24 points, followed by Mississippi College with 16 and Shorter was ninth with 8 points.

2018 FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL

School Total Points

1. West Alabama (6) 62
2. West Florida (3) 59
3. West Georgia 44
4. Delta State 41
5. Valdosta State 38
6. Florida Tech 32
7. North Greenville 24
8. Mississippi College 16
9. Shorter 8

On offense, the Blazers will be led by senior offensive lineman and team captain Jeremy King and running back Kenny Benjamin.

On defense, the Blazers are led by senior defensive back Raymond Palmer from Darien who starred for MCA.

Valdosta State was active in Glynn County during the last recruiting cycle as they signed Ty Hinson, DJ Whitfield, George Mincey Jr. and Tevin Small all from Brunswick High School.

I have VSU beating Albany State, Fort Valley State, Shorter, Mississippi College, Delta State, Florida Tech, and North Greenville. Wins: 7

I can’t see VSU winning in week 3 at West Alabama or beating West Florida on the road on November 3rd. Losses: 2.

The West Georgia game at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium on November 10th is a toss-up right now to me at this moment in time. A win here and the Blazers could get to 8-2 and make the 28 team Division II Playoffs.

Valdosta State is a three-time national champion in football 2004, 2007, and 2012.