VALDOSTA, Ga. - The 2023 football season came to an end on Saturday night in South Georgia as the West Georgia Wolves fell 58-28 to the Valdosta State Blazers.
In what was a six-point game late in the third quarter, Valdosta State was able to capitalize on miscues, seize momentum and pull away in the final quarter. West Georgia ends their final season in the Gulf South Conference and Division II with a 6-4 record.
West Georgia's offense was slow to start, allowing the Blazers to build an early lead, but the UWG defense held VSU to field goals twice in the redzone, but it was a 20-0 deficit before the Wolves found the end zone. UWG's first score came on a Wesley Kennedy touchdown run from the one yard line, making it a 20-7 VSU lead by halftime.
A fumble on the Wolves' opening possession of the half turned into points for VSU, making it a 27-7 deficit for the Wolves at the 12:50 mark of the third quarter. Just over two minutes later, Kennedy would plunge in for another touchdown and make it a 27-14 game.
On VSU's ensuing possession, Keondre Williams sacked VSU's quarterback, Sammy Edwards, and forced a fumble, and UWG pounced on the loose ball. Three plays later it was Rajaez Mosley who made it a six-point game with a one-yard TD rush, pulling the Wolves to 27-21.Â
Valdosta State answered immediately with a 99-yard touchdown return for a touchdown, stretching the lead back to 13 for VSU.
But the Wolves answered again, capitalizing on a 41-yard LaPerion Perry kick return and then driving 48 yards for six on a 19-yard touchdown reception from Steven Peterson.
From there, however, it was all Valdosta State as the Blazers scored on their next drive, then recovered a muffed kickoff and added another score to end the third quarter up 44-28. VSU scored again with 6:19 left and a pick six with 39 seconds left to account for the final margin.
UWG finished with 390 yards while VSU had 520. Ben Whitlock threw for a career-high 273 yards and a touchdown. Wesley Kennedy had 67 yards in his final game to lead the Wolves' rushing attack while Terrill Cole's 74 yards led UWG's receiving corps.
Defensively, UWG was led by Xavier Robinson and Deontae Overstreet who had eight tackles each.
The Wolves finish the season at 6-4 overall.
