Valdosta, GA- The lights are coming on at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.


After carefully preparing for months, Valdosta State Football will be returning to play on Thursday night, with a 7 PM start time and two teams going head-to-head for the first time. 


This game marks the start of a new season for the Blazers which aims to build on the solid conclusion to their 2025 campaign. 


At the end of the 2025 season, VSU won three continuous games in the GSC, ending the year with a record of 6-5 and going 3-0 in the conference. The Blazers are returning a solid group of players, with six of them being selected as All-GSC players in the preseason.


Quarterback Jameson Holcomb, threw for 1,539 yards and scored 12 touchdowns in nine games and is now entering 2026 together with running back and return specialist Shawn Paschall. As a freshman, he earned GSC offensive freshman of the year with 225 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while averaging 34.8 yards per kickoff return.


An anchor to the offensive line, senior Ty Merkle returns after earning recognition in the All-GSC Preseason selections. The team is also reintroducing important players on defense, such as linebacker Julius Pascal and defensive back Ricky Ransom. Pascal led Valdosta State in 2025 with 88 tackles and Ransom had 42 together with one interception.


Last season the team as a whole scored an average of 29.6 points and gained 366.2 yards per game, comprising 2,394 passing yards and 1,634 rushing yards.


Scouting the Wasps


Emory & Henry enters its first-ever match up with the Blazers after an 8-3 season in 2025 and a 6-3 mark in SAC play.


Last season, the Wasps scored an average of 39.1 points per game and together gained 1,890 yards running and 2,119 yards passing. Jordan Jackson was a top performer for the Wasps in terms of rushing with 1,102 yards and 19 touchdowns. As well as Cole Lambert who threw for 1,568 yards and 13 touchdowns. 


In a defensive effort, Kasey Branch led with 81 tackles and Ean Rhea recorded 12 sacks.


With a new season ahead, along with a new opponent across the field, the Blazers are ready to kick off their 2026 campaign.

As a reminder Valdosta State will be instating a clear bag policy. This policy is for all ticketed sports including baseball, men's and women's basketball, football, soccer, softball, and volleyball and will be in effect for both regular season and postseason contests. For more information on permitted bags, please visit this clear bag policy link: https://www.vstateblazers.com/clearbag


For questions regarding the Clear Bag Policy, please contact the Valdosta State Athletics Ticket Office at (229) 333-SEAT (7328) for additional information. 


Stay up to date on all Blazer Athletics news by downloading the Blazer mobile app for exclusive content, gameday notifications, schedules, rosters and more. Fans can also follow @VState_Blazers on Instagram and X and like the Valdosta State Blazers Facebook page.