Last Thursday, the Valdosta State Blazers (4-4, 4-3 GSC) were eliminated from playoff contention when the No.  1 ranked North Alabama Lions (9-0, 7-0 GSC) came to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium and beat the Blazers in all aspects of the game, 62-27.

                The loss for the Blazers was the worst lost in the program’s history which started in 1982. However, the Blazers have moved on and are focusing on the West Georgia Wolves (1-7, 1-4 GSC). Last week the Wolves defeated West Alabama 10-9 to claim their first win since the 2007 season.

                The Wolves have been outscored 327-101 on the season while they have only managed 928 yards of rushing on the season along with 1,269 yards passing on the season, or 274.6 yards per game. The Wolves rank as one of the worst offensive and defensive teams in the Gulf South Conference as the defense allows 471.8 yards per game.

                With no playoffs looming and two dismal teams remaining on the schedule, it would be easy for the Blazers to pack it in and just go through the motions, as many coaches say; however, the Blazers have a lot to play for in these final two games. With two wins in their final two games, the Blazers will finish with a 6-4 record, which will keep their winning season streak alive and will extend their streak to 10 straight winning seasons.

                Also, Valdosta State Linebacker Larry Dean only needs four more tackles to become the school’s tenth all-time leading tackler. The Blazers also have a lot of freshmen playing and these two games could give some young guys some valuable playing experience that may benefit the Blazers in the 2010 season.

                The game on Thursday night against the Wolves will be the final Gulf South Conference game of the season for the Blazers.  The game on Thursday night will also be the final road contest of the 2009 season for the Blazers.

                The game will begin at 7 p.m. tonight at University Stadium in Carrollton, GA and will be televised as the GSC Game of the Week. It can be seen here in Valdosta on CSS or you can hear the action here in Valdosta on Talk 92.1 F.M.