The VSU Blazers survive an upset scare against the North Greenville Trailblazers, pulling out a victory, 32-24. 

The Blazers improved to 6-0 on the season and 2-0 in the Gulf South Conference play. The Blazers had to do something they had not done all season: play while trailing. 

 The Trailblazer’s started the game hot, with two touchdowns on the first two possessions to make it 14-0 early, while the Blazers struggled to get things going. 

 After North Greenville stopped the Blazers second drive on a 4th and goal at the 2-yard line,  the Blazers’ defense stepped up and was able to get to safety to get them on the board, which led to a touchdown run by senior running back Alfonso Franklin. 

 The play cut into the Trailblazer’s lead at 14-9 before it was instantly countered with a 65-touchdown run by North Greenville running back Jordan Walker to extend the North Greenville’s lead to 21-9.  

The Blazers would get the ball back to try to respond with another touchdown, as senior quarterback Sammy Edwards threw to Franklin out of the backfield. 

 As he tried to get downfield, he hurdled the North Greenville defender and took the pass 44 yards for a touchdown to make it a 5-point game at 21-16. 

 However, the moment of celebration for Franklin was bittersweet as he was flagged for his second unsportsmanlike conduct of the game, which led to his ejection by rule.  

North Greenville would add a field goal to go into halftime with a 24-16 lead. 

However, in the second half, the Blazers’ defense kept North Greenville off the scoreboard as they pitched the second-half shutout.  

The Blazers, anchored by Edwards, were able to break through the Trailblazer’s defense and go on two consecutive touchdown drives that ended with a Blake Hester touchdown that would make it a 2-point game, 24-22. 

The Blazers defense forced the only turnover of the day on a fumble of North Greenville’s quarterback Dylan Ramirez. Blazer Kennedy Parker got to Ramirez, pushing the ball to come out on the sack that would then lead the Blazers to lead for the first time all game, as Edwards rushed for his fifth rushing touchdown on the season. The Blazers took a 29-24 lead in the fourth quarter.  

The Blazers would tack on a field goal late to reach the final score of 32-24.  

Edwards was stellar, passing for 246 yards and scoring two touchdowns, one passing and one rushing. Ramirez for North Greenville was stellar in the loss, gaining 212 yards and two passing touchdowns. 

For VSU, they move to 6-0 and will finally return home for a Homecoming matchup against Mississippi College on Oct.19, while North Greenville will play Erskine the same day.  

 Written by Christopher Mercer, Sports editor. Photo by Christopher Mercer.