Edward Waters Game Notes

Blazers, Tigers play Saturday at 2 pm

Today's Game: Valdosta State concludes its 2009 season as the Blazers host Edward Waters in Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. The Blazers enter the game with a 5-4 record, including a 5-3 mark in Gulf South Conference play after a 31-20 win at West Georgia last week, while the Tigers are 0-9, including a 45-24 loss to Division I Savannah State in their last outing. The game is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff.

VSU averages 405.3 yards of total offense on the season while surrendering 363.1 yards per game. Quarterback Kellen Lewis leads the offense as he has completed 214-of-350 passes for 2,297 yards and 12 touchdowns while also rushing for 385 yards and eight scores. Wide receiver Cedric Jones has caught 57 passes for 544 yards and two scores and linebacker Larry Dean leads the defense with 76 total tackles, including 7.5 for loss.

Edward Waters is averaging 268.1 yards per game while surrendering 389.3 per outing. Quarterback Brandon Turman leads the Tiger attack with 1,015 passing yards and six touchdowns. Rudy Wilson leads the EWC defense with 62 tackles, including six tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.

The 2009 season marks the 28th year of Valdosta State football while the Edward Waters game will be the 320th game in school history. The Blazers have won 215 contests, lost 100 and tied four times, a winning percentage of .680.

Balance in the Receiving Corps: Valdosta State has been very balanced in receptions this season as eight players have reached double digits in catches on the year. Cedric Jones leads the way with 57 catches, followed by Gerald Ford with 39. R.J. Bastone has 25 receptions, Ronnye Nelson 24 and Kody Case while Cedric Evans has 22, Jackson Dean 18 and Owen Dixon 10. Six more players have caught at least one pass on the year.

Jones leads the way with 544 yards while Ford has 507. Bastone has tallied 413 yards on the season. Seven Blazers have caught a touchdown pass, led by Ford who has four touchdowns on the season. Jones, Bastone, Case and Evans have all caught two on the year.

In 2008, only six receivers recorded double digit receptions, led by Jones with 57, while 10 did so during the 2007 season, in which VSU played 14 games.

Blazer Seniors to be Honored: Valdosta State will honor 20 seniors prior to Saturday's regular season finale. The group includes defensive end Chauncey DeBose, defensive tackle Tommie Duhart, cornerback Rashad Etheridge, quarterback Kellen Lewis, safety Josh Wylie, wide receiver Johnny Belt, cornerback Devin Cannon, linebacker Marcel Horne, fullback Donnie Powell, linebacker Seasn Weathers, deep snapper Ryan Bough, linebacker Demarcus Flanagan, fullback Eric Sledge, offensive lineman Garrett Grady, cornerback Carlos Anderson, wide receiver R.J. Bastone, defensive end Melvin Black, wide receiver Cedric Jones and center Edward Gregory.

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