VALDOSTA, Ga.- Blazer football junior Sammy Edwards and Lady Blazer basketball junior Taylor Searcey were named Steel's Jewelry Athletes of the Week. This is the third Steel's Jewelry of the Week award for Edwards this season while being Searcey's first of the year.
 
Quarterback Sammy Edwards had a phenomenal showing in the 62-41 NCAA Division II Playoff victory over Limestone Saturday afternoon. His excellent play in the passing game made history as he threw the most touchdown passes in a Valdosta State playoff game with six total passing touchdowns, passing previous record-holder Dusty Bonner, who set the record with five TD's on Nov. 17, 2001. Edwards had a total of 344 passing yards with 27 completions on 40 attempts, and a season-record tying six touchdowns against the Saints.
 
Taylor Searcey recorded a double-double last week in the win over Brewton-Parker. She tallied 14 points and 14 rebounds in 33 minutes of action against the Barons. In the young 2023-2024 campaign, Searcey is averaging 8.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 assists in two starts this season. Her excellent start to the season also earned her Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors.
 
Edwards and the No. 14 Blazer football team (11-1) head to No. 8 Delta State to take on the Statesmen in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, Searcey and the Lady Blazers are set to host Clayton State Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Complex. For more information on everything Blazer Athletics, visit vstateblazers.com.