For what has been billed as the Labor Day classic, the Valdosta State Blazers prepare for the home opener against the long-standing non-conference rival, Albany State Golden Rams.

The Blazers begin the season with lofty expectations to continue the winning tradition that is the norm in a city with the nickname “Titletown.” After missing the playoffs in their first season at the helm in 2022, head coach Tremaine Jackson, entering his third season, led the team back to the playoffs with a 10-1 regular season record that earned them a share of their 10th Gulf South Conference championship in school history.

They soundly defeated the Limestone Saints in the first round with a score of 62-41 and went on the road to defeat conference rival, the Delta State Statesmen 38-31, avenging their only regular season loss of the year, before falling to Lenoir Ryne at home 35-7 to officially end the blazers season at 12-2.

The Blazers will have the luxury of bringing back quarterback Sammy Edwards, who was not only the key to the Blazers’ offense last year but will also be essential this year. He is coming off a season in which he threw for 4223 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while having six rushing touchdowns.

Meanwhile, the Golden Rams are coming off a mediocre season last year, which saw them finish 2023 with a score of 6-5. Their season ended after they lost to Benedict College, 47-10, in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship.

Like Coach Jackson for VSU, Head Coach Quinn Gray Sr. is also entering his third season and looking to get the best out of his players currently on the roster; the Rams’ only quarterback with any collegiate experience is redshirt sophomore Isaiah Knowles, who has 30 yards passing in one play in 2023.

The Blazers finished 22nd Division II and second in the GSC in scoring in 2023 while posting the Rams. They were unranked in scoring in Division II but ranked 6th in the SIAC in scoring in 2023.

The Blazers lead the all-time series, with the Rams scoring 8-1 in this Saturday’s matchup. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.