VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State football senior wide receiver Council Allen and junior women's soccer standout Taylor Youmans were named Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week Monday.  This is the first weekly honor of the season for both Allen and Youmans. 
 
Allen, a native of Hialeah, Fla., had one of his best games of his career with seven receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown in the 45-35 upset of No. 21 West Alabama Saturday.  He tossed his first touchdown pass of his career in the game, a 36-yard strike to sophomore Joel Houedenou giving VSU a 38-28 lead midway through a wild fourth quarter, where there were a combined 49 points scored in the frame between the two teams.  
 
It marked the first non-quarterback touchdown pass for the Blazers since former Blazer running back Seth McGill threw two touchdown passes in 2022.  Saturday also marked Allen's first touchdown reception of the season and tenth of his career.  It was his fifth game of eclipsing 100 yards receiving for his career.
 
Youmans, a native of Newnan, Ga., scored two goals in the Blazers' 3-1 victory yesterday on Senior Day.  Her two scores came in the second half as VSU rallied from a 1-0 deficit at halftime and scored three goals in the second half.  It marked VSU's second-straight win over Mississippi College and first win in program history against the Choctaws in Valdosta.  Youmans had four shots for the week with two on goal, two goals and one game winner.  It was her first match of scoring multiple goals of the season. 
 
She leads the team with five goals and six assists for 16 points this season.  She has 30 shots (.167) with 18 on target (.600), while she is tied for the team-lead in game winners with two in her first season in Titletown. 
 
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