Valdosta State takes the field for first scrimmage of fall camp

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - The Valdosta State football team kicks off the 2026 season on a Thursday night. To get used to playing under the lights, they hosted their first scrimmage of fall camp under the lights at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium Sunday.

Overall, head coach Graham Craig happy with what he saw Sunday night. Of course, there’s a lot to clean up, but that’s expected just a week in to fall camp.

Sunday was the Blazers first time in pads and the first time tackling all fall. He said he was impressed with the defense, as well as the quarterbacks, where it’s a four man battle for reps.

Coach said this year is lot different thank last season. With a year under his belt, and with the majority of this team here since the spring, they’re already a step ahead from where they were last year.

“We’re definitely ahead both as a coaching staff and as a football team just with returners coming back from last year, guys we had in the spring and having coaches that were here last year,” he said. “Same system, definitely ahead of where we were last year as far as install wise. Just have to continue to get better and better each day. It’s coming really quickly, our game in a couple of weeks.”

Emory & Henry is the Blazers first opponent of the 2026 season. Game time is set for 7:00 on Thursday, August 27th.

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