December 18th, 2024 6:00am
The time has finally come to decide the 2024 Division II National Champion and it will once again be a matchup between Ferris State and Valdosta State. For the third time since 2018, the Bulldogs and Blazers will square off for the crown, this time at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas. VSU will be vying for its fifth national championship in seven tries, while Ferris State is going for its third title in four years.
Division II Playoffs Semifinal Results (home team in bold)
No. 2 Valdosta State 35, Minnesota State 21
Division II Football Championship Schedule (all times Eastern)
No. 1 Ferris State (13-1, 7-0 GLIAC) vs No. 2 Valdosta State (13-0, 6-0 GSC)
Saturday, Dec. 21 | 2:00 pm | McKinney, TX | Stats | Video (ESPN+)
By The Numbers
Ferris State has been among the nation’s elite all season on both sides of the ball. The offense ranks third overall in total offense (493 ypg), second in scoring offense (44.7 ppg) and fifth in rushing offense (264.7 ypg), while the defense if 13th in total defense (260.7 ypg), seventh in scoring defense (13.1 ppg), and gives up less than 100 yards per game on the ground to opponents. The Bulldogs’ weakness comes in the penalty department where they average over eight penalties and 80 penalty yards per contest.
The Blazers continue to be one of, if not the most, balanced teams in the country. Valdosta State capped off a perfect regular season with an undisputed Gulf South Championship and have won back-to-back playoff games by double digits at home. VSU ranks seventh nationally in scoring offense (42.2 ppg), 10th in total offense (459.2 ypg), second in scoring defense (11 ppg), ninth in total defense (254.4 ypg), and fifth in turnover margin (+1.38). Valdosta State’s defense has given up 20 or more points just three times this season, posting three shutouts, which has led to an average margin of victory of 31.1 points per game.
Players to Watch
The Bulldogs’ offense has been successful on the ground thanks to running back Kannan Katzer and dual-threat quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Katzer has 1,031 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, averaging nine yards per carry, while Chambliss is close behind with 941 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns of his own. Through the air, Chambliss has completed 62 percent of his pass attempts for 2,772 yards and 23 touchdowns to 11 different receivers. Linebacker Iosefa Saipaia guides the Ferris State defense with 85 total tackles and seven tackles for loss, while defensive back Jalen Jones has 53 tackles of his own with a team-high nine tackles for loss and five interceptions. Taariik Brett is one of the country’s most dangerous return men, averaging 29.4 yards per returns with two kickoffs returned for a touchdown
Quarterback Sammy Edwards, a Harlon Hill Finalist, gets all the national attention after pacing the offense with 3,101 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 66.7% completion percentage while also scoring four times via the ground. However, the Valdosta State ground game is the star of the show behind the duo of Blake Hester and Alfonso Franklin. Hester leads the charge with 981 yards and 13 touchdowns on 151 carries (6.5 ypc), while Franklin is the perfect complement amassing 858 yards and 17 touchdowns of his own on just 121 rush attempts (7.1 ypc). Safety Larry Elder is the defensive pace setter and will need to continue to shine in the run game as the grad student has totaled 93 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks to go along with four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception. Defensive lineman Caden Campolieti is key along the defensive front, having registered 62 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks on the year.
The Breakdown
With two sides so evenly matched on both offense and defense, the National Championship matchup is going to come down to the little things like special teams and discipline.
Ferris State boasts one of the strongest return games in the nation, but kicker Mitchell Middleton has only eight field goal attempts on the year. On the flip side, the Bulldogs are ranked 151st out of 159 teams in most penalties per game (8.86) and 153rd in penalty yardage per game (82.29).
Valdosta State’s discipline has proved more consistent with just under six penalties per game, while the punting of Noah Botsford has pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line on 15 of his 33 punt attempts this year.
It’s my opinion that Franklin will be the difference in the contest after scoring five touchdowns in last week’s win and a total of eight touchdowns during the Blazers’ postseason run. Ferris State may not have the answer to slow down such a versatile Valdosta State offense which has shown the ability to both control the ball (30.25 avg time of possession) and score on explosive plays down the field (7.2 yards per play).
My pick: No. 2 Valdosta State