Valdosta State football ready to begin Division II playoffs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Valdosta State won an instant classic Saturday night over West Florida, a 47- 44 overtime victory that handed the Argos their first loss of the season, propelled the Blazers to the Gulf South Conference title, and more importantly, earned them that automatic bid into the Division II playoffs.

The phrase survive and advance is one that may be more associated with basketball than football, but it certainly applies for the Blazers. They’ve had no room for error since entering Gulf South play, but they’ve responded and then some, finishing undefeated enroute to clinching Saturday’s title.

Up next? Another emotionally charged game against rival and top seed Albany State, but head coach Graham Craig says there’s no difference in the urgency around his program because it’s been “win or go home” for quite some time.

“You’ve seen the way our guys have prepared and they’re going to have to continue to prepare that way,” he said Wednesday. “For the last month it’s been if you don’t win you don’t have a shot at postseason play and now if you don’t win you’re done. They’ve had that mindset for a while and we have to continue to prepare to play the way that we have.”

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 1:00 at Albany State.

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