VALDOSTA, Ga.- The dynamic duo of Valdosta State football's senior quarterback Sammy Edwards and senior wide receiver Rodney Bullard were named this week's Steel's Jewelry Athletes of the Week. This marks Edwards' third Steel's Jewelry nod while it is Bullard's first of the year.
 
Edwards continued to be a force to be reckoned with at the quarterback position, helping lead the Blazer football team to a definitive 49-14 Quarterfinal playoff victory over Virginia Union at Bazemore-Hyder last Saturday. The Harlon-Hill award finalist finished the contest with 302 passing yards with 13 completions on 19 attempts while also lighting up the scoreboard with four total touchdowns. The St. Augustine, Fla. native connected with six different targets in the game including sophomore Samuel Curry who went deep for a 62-yard touchdown strike for Edwards' longest completion of the afternoon. Edwards also rushed for 21 yards on four carries on the day, proving to utilize his legs when necessary.
 
Edwards' most consistent and reliable target in the 49-14 victory was none other than Rodney Bullard, who blew past VUU defenders for 158 total receiving yards on just five receptions. Three of five said receptions were good for touchdowns, marking the most times in a game Bullard has reached the endzone since the 73-0 shutout at Erskine on Sept. 21. The Albany, Ga. native's biggest grab came near the tail-end of the third quarter when the speedy receiver pulled in a 47-yard lob from Edwards to extend the Blazers' lead to 35, 42-7.
 
Edwards, Bullard and the rest of the No. 1-seeded Blazer football team are set to take on Minnesota State in the NCAA Division II National Semifinals on Saturday at 12 p.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium with a trip to the Division II National Championship on the line. For more information on all things VSU athletics, visit vstateblazers.com.