The Blazers are heading into the 2017 season with high expectations with second year head coach Kerwin Bell. The game opener against Albany State for the 4th time in a row and being an away game will be a tough start.
Bell is ready to flip the switch and hopefully have a chance to lead the team to a national championship this fall. With two stud quarterbacks returning on offense, Adam Robles and Ronald Rivers, the Blazers shouldn’t have a problem scoring touchdowns.
Sophomore running back Cedric Hollingshed will be a bulldozer behind an experienced offensive line with Josh Adams and Jeremy King. When it comes to receivers Dallas Baldner, he should lead the pack this year for the Blazers.
We got a chance to chat with Dallas and he said, “My individual goals are to have 1,000 yards receiving, be all-conference and all-American.” That’s a great mindset going into his senior year and should be the go to target for both QB’s. He also gave us one of the team mottos, “God before all, team before me, book before ball, do right and compete.”
Valdosta state’s defense is also ready to ball out in the 2017 season. Having to replace some key starters won’t be a problem for new DC Danny Verpaele after previously being the linebacker coach.
Two key returning linebackers sophomore Malik Slater and now ready to play Sharmaine Washington should lock it down on D. Also the Blazers have a great secondary with defensive backs Brandon Roe and Raymond Palmer. Brandon had five interceptions in 2016 like his pervious teammate and now rookie on the New England Patriot’s, Kenny Moore. The Blazers with also have some quality TV time this season on ESPN. Three of their games will be live on ESPN3 ready for Valdosta State “to show them that daddy’s in town” as Bell would say at away games.
The Blazers have sights on a National Championship since their last one in 2012 and it looks highly likely for them.
Record 8-3 Points scored 381 Points against 268
Leading Passer- Adam Robles 173-315, 2046 yards 54.92% Pass Comp 204 yards a game
Leading Rusher – Cedric Hollingshed carries 107 with 503 yards
Leading Receiver- Xay Howard Rec 48 with 669 yards
Leading Touchdowns- Adam Robles 18 touchdowns
Leading tackles – Kenny Moore 65 tackles
Leading Interceptions- Kenny Moore 5
2017 Breakout Players
QB Adam Robles
QB Ronald Rivers
RB Cedric Hollingshed
WR Dallas Baldner
DB Brandon Roe
LB Malik Slater
LB Sharmaine Washington
In the Game Magazine / South Georgia / August – September 2017
Valdosta State Football Preseason Preview
Written by Carson Waggoner
Valdosta State Football Preseason Preview –
