Carrollton, GA (WTXL)-- The Valdosta State football season comes to an end against West Georgia for the second straight year. VSU falls 27-20 in the second round of the division II football playoffs.
The Blazers have relied on their running game all season, but their rushing offense never got going in this second round playoff game against the Wolves. VSU finished with just 81 rushing yards. Blazers career leading rusher Cedric O'Neal had just 18 yards rushing. The Blazers finished the first half with just 103 yards of offense. The only touchdown came from a 79 yard Kenny Murphy interception return for a touchdown.
Trailing 17-7 at the half, the VSU offense regrouped in the third quarter. E.J. Hilliard connected with Will Johnson for the two yard touchdown to cut the West Georgia lead to 17-14. West Georgia responded with a safety to extend their lead to 19-14. However, VSU took it's first lead of the game 20-19 in the 4th quarter with a Cedric O'Neal two yard touchdown reception. West Georgia answered though when quarterback Dallas Dickey ran for a nine yard touchdown run to give West Georgia a 27-20 lead.
VSU couldn't muster the same 4th quarter magic that it did against Carson-Newman. On their final drive of the game the Blazers eight play drive was stalled at their own 45 yard line.
West Georgia advances to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs and is scheduled to host 6th-seeded Tuskegee in the Super Region 2 championship. Valdosta State finishes the season 9-3.
