STATE COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Saturday’s games
Kentucky Christian at Reinhardt, noon
Shorter at Carson-Newman, noon
Point at Pikeville, 1:30 p.m.
Central State at Clark Atlanta, 2 p.m.
Albany State vs. Tuskegee (Phenix City, Ala.), 3 p.m.
Edward Waters at Kennesaw State, 4 p.m.
LaGrange at Berry, 6 p.m.
Lane at Fort Valley State, 6 p.m.
Western Michigan at Georgia Southern, 6 p.m.
Stetson at Mercer, 6 p.m.
Miles at West Georgia, 7 p.m.
Valdosta State vs. Winston-Salem State (McEachern High), 6 p.m.
Morehouse at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 7 p.m.
Sunday’s game
Georgia Military vs. ASA New York (Harrisonburg, Va.), 1 p.m.
Valdosta State and Winston-Salem State had so much success in last year’s Cobb County Clash, they’re doing it again.
The two Division II powers will play at McEachern High School’s Cantrell Stadium for the second consecutive season (6 p.m. today).
Many metro Atlanta recruits and the families for Valdosta State players from the metro area were among the estimated 3,000 fans at last year’s game, which the Blazers won 22-17.
“This is a great venue, and McEachern is a great host for us,” coach David Dean said. “We have a lot of alumni from the Atlanta area and players from Gwinnett, Cobb and Forsyth counties, so this gives them an opportunity to play in front of their family and friends.”
The Blazers, who opened with a victory over Albany State, are ranked 14th in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Top 25. Winston-Salem State dropped out of the poll after losing its opener to North Carolina-Pembroke.
Dean estimates about 17-18 NFL scouts have visited to check out running back Cedric O’Neal (Dublin), who entered this season ranked third on Valdosta State’s career rushing list, with 3,046 yards, and career touchdowns, with 32.
He rushed for 56 yards and a score in the opener, but Dean said he had three runs of more than 20 yards that were called back because of penalties.
O’Neal continues to share carries with Austin Scott (Hardaway), who came into this season ranked seventh on the program’s career rushing list, with 2,646 yards. He had 46 yards rushing and a touchdown against Albany State.
O’Neal and Scott are seniors.
“Those two guys are something else. They work well together,” Dean said. “They occasionally will be in there together, but for the majority of the games, they’re splitting time during drives.”
Etc.: Morehouse running back Isaiah Hicks (Mount Vernon Presbyterian) is the SIAC offensive player of the week after he rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns in the opening win over Edward Waters. … Third-ranked West Georgia's offensive line has received a boost from new left tackle Dominique Robertson, who transferred from Texas Tech. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound junior played in four games with the Red Raiders in 2014. … Shorter begins a four-game road stretch that takes the Hawks to Division II power Carson-Newman, consecutive games against FCS programs Kennesaw State and Southeast Missouri State, and their Gulf South Conference opener against Mississippi College.
