When Albany State quarterback Caleb Edmonds rolls to his right, he sometimes throws with his right hand.
There’s nothing odd about that except he’s left-handed.
“That’s OK with me as long as he completes it,” coach Dan Land said.
More often, Edmonds, who is from Smyrna and played at Campbell, throws with his correct arm, and accurately enough to lead the Southern Intercollegiate Conference in passing (213.9 yards per game).
He ranks second in passing efficiency (157.6) and third in touchdown passes (10). He also leads the conference in total offense (256.2 yards).
“Caleb is doing so great,” Land said. “It’s unbelievable the way he’s taken over the offense. He became that leader we needed on offense. He’s playing real well.”
The Rams (5-3, 3-1 SIAC) can advance to the conference championship game for the second consecutive year with a victory over Fort Valley State (3-6, 3-3) in the Fountain City Classic in Columbus on Saturday.
Miles defeated Albany State in last year’s title game in Land’s first season as coach.
The Rams opened this season with losses to Valdosta State and Tuskegee, but have won five of their past six games. They rank third in the SIAC in total offense (338.6 yards) and second in scoring defense (17.6 points).
“We’re playing a whole lot better than we were at the beginning of the season,” Land said. “We weren’t playing bad at the beginning of the season, but we weren’t playing together as (far as) knowing exactly what we were trying to get done offensively and defensively.”
Edmonds sat behind former starter Frank Rivers for two seasons, but took over the offense last year. Land credits Edmonds’ maturity for his success.
“He’s just like a coach out on the field, doing everything he needs to do,” Land said. “Not just on the field, but off the field is the reason that got Caleb to where he needs to be.”
Season struggle: West Georgia began the season ranked No. 2 in Division II and looking for its third consecutive playoff berth.
The Wolves won their first four games, but lost three consecutive to Gulf South Conference opponents before winning their past two to improve to 6-3 (3-3 in the GSC).
They’re No. 8 in this week’s Super Region Two rankings. The top seven teams make the playoffs.
Around the state: Shorter linebacker Jevaris Jones (Spalding) ranks tied for 24th in Division II in tackles with 10.1 per game. He has 81 total tackles. … Fort Valley State quarterback Otis Brown leads the SIAC in touchdowns with 10. … LaGrange quarterback Connor Blair needs three touchdown passes to set the single-season school record of 32, set by Graham Craig in 2013. … West Georgia defensive end Dylan Donahue is tied for third in Division II in sacks, with 13. He led the Wolves with 12 last season. … West Florida quarterback Kaleb Nobles (Fitzgerald), who transferred from Valdosta State, has thrown 28 touchdown passes, sixth in Division II.
Saturday’s games
Georgia Southern at Ole Miss, noon
Campbellsville at Reinhardt, 1:30 p.m.
Mississippi College at Shorter, 1:30 p.m.
Florida Tech at West Georgia, 2 p.m.
Albany State vs. Fort Valley State (at Columbus), 2 p.m.
Morehouse at Lane, 2 p.m.
Valdosta State at West Alabama, 3 p.m.
Birmingham Southern at Berry, 3 p.m.
East Tennessee State at Mercer, 3 p.m.
Norfolk State at Savannah State, 5 p.m.
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