Let the playoffs begin!

Here we are at the beginning of the post-season and the Gulf South Conference has an unprecedented four teams in the playoffs. It's quite a feat and the conference office has to be gushing with pride, especially after the rarity of only having one team in last year's field.

Expectations are definitely high with the possibility for an all-GSC regional final. In the 24 seasons since the NCAA went to the Super Regional format in 1990, a GSC school has won the regional title 17 times, including 10 of last 12 seasons, while the conference has a combined seven national titles.

So, it's all about advancing for these squads and only two of three GSC teams in action this weekend will have the chance to do so.


# 22 West Georgia Wolves vs. Tuskegee Golden Tigers @ 12 PM CST

West Georgia returns to the post-season for the first time in fourteen seasons, while Tuskegee is fresh off their first appearance last year and ready to play host for the first time. Neither school has ever won a playoff game, so that will certainly change for one while the other will have to wait until next season for another potential chance at a playoff victory. This match-up features coaches with ties to North Alabama.

Tuskegee's Head Coach Willie Slater runs the option, similar to the offenses he coordinated when UNA won three straight titles back in the early 1990's. TU executes it well with a decent balance of rushing and passing. Leading their offense is the quarterbacking duo of Kevin Lacey (1453 all-purpose yards and 8 TD's) and Justin Nared (1086 all-purpose yards and 8 TD's), while their top rushers are Hodrick Lowe (6.1 yards per rush and 12 TD's) and Michael Thor (6.3 yards per rush and 11 TD's) and top receivers are Marquel Gardner (22.5 yards per catch) and Larry Cobb (21.3 yards per catch).

The Golden Tiger defense, anchored by El'Malik Chinn with 92 tackles, utilizes the cut blocking technique and can be difficult for the other team to overcome. After starting the season 1-2, they have won eight straight games. TU wants to prove that they deserve to be in the playoff discussion each season and want to get a post-season win for themselves and their conference.

Will Hall, the former Harlon Hill Trophy winner at UNA, will take his West Georgia team into southeastern Alabama looking for more respect even after a turn-around season highlighted, thus far, by the Wolves defeat of the conference co-champion and making the playoffs. UWG QB Dallas Dickey seems back to 100% and continues to be supported by All-GSC First Team linemen Quincy Awa-Dubose and Garrison Ushery.

Punter James Dugan was also an All-GSC First Team honoree and special teams will certainly play an important part in a game game of this caliber. The Wolves defense is lead by All-GSC First Team selections Darrius Caldwell and Tyrell Adams. I feel their best asset is All-GSC First Team return specialist Denarius Appling. The more they get him involved, the better.

The anxiety could be palpable at this game, as both team want to go beyond the pride of just being selected for the field but to actually move on to the next round. I can see this game going back and forth until the final quarter, when one team will pull away and claim their first post-season victory ever.

I feel that team will be West Georgia.

Wolves 31 - 28


#15 Valdosta State Blazers vs. #10 North Alabama Lions @ 12 PM CST

Ever since that 1994 double-overtime playoff game, back when Chris Hatcher was the Blazer quarterback, this game has been a barnburner. Even the blowouts (by both teams) have been epic in their own right. This is the best rivalry in the Gulf South Conference in terms of success, tradition and consistent competition.

This game is a rematch of a back-and-forth contest earlier this season, a game the Lions pulled it out at home with a 54 yard field goal as time expired, and that win is probably the largest contributing reason to why they are in a position to host this first round game. The Blazers had a bye the following week and have regrouped to win six straight.

Both teams have been in this situation many times before, and that obviously creates a set of great expectations and cautiously optimistic feelings. These two fan bases have been through the gamut of emotions when it's related to the post-season and they may go through them all within this one game. Keep your meds on stand by!

The Black Swarm defense is led by All-GSC First Team linebacker Kenny Murphy, while the offense has been working well all season behind the play of All-GSC First Team tackle Jessie Yancey. However, who will be the starter at quarterback? Kaleb Nobles has done a great job filling in for the injured All-GSC quarterback and punter Jake Medlock, but he doesn't have the rushing ability that Medlock added to the mix.

UNA's top unit this season has been the defense and the Lions are led by All-GSC First Team honorees Taylor Carney, Steven Rich and Philbert Martial. The UNA offense has had to overcome some adversity from injuries also, but has been clicking better with All-GSC quarterback Luke Wingo back at the helm. Yet, the consistency of the year has been from All-GSC First Team selections running back Lamonte Thompson and wide receiver Delvon Carpenter, along with tackle Keith Jones.

It's almost impossible to predict the regular season games between these two schools, and that always makes the results of the playoff rematches even tougher to foresee. I think both teams need to focus on having a good first half and bypass needing to play the game from behind. I also think this game will come down to the play of the VSU quarterback(s) vs. the UNA defense.

If it's close at the end, I'll give the advantage to the home team.

Lions 34 - 30