Peach Basket to be West Georgia's last in Division II
Nov. 9—VALDOSTA — Time is drawing closer for Valdosta State's battle with West Georgia, the final time both meet as Division II schools. The Peach Basketball rivalry game kicks off at 7 p.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
West Georgia is moving up to Division I in 2024-25, 33 years after the football program was revived in Carrollton. The Wolves won a national title as a Division III school in 1983, but none in in Division II, though they did win the Gulf South Championship four times, the last in 2015.
This year the Wolves are on the outside looking in on the Division II postseason. No. 8 in the rankings last week, a loss to Delta State knocked UWG out of the Super Region Three top 10, a though hill to climb in the regular season finale.
Valdosta State, No. 3 in the same region rankings, is aiming for several things this weekend. A share of the Gulf South title and perhaps a jump over Delta State in the rankings, provided the Blazers win and the Statesmen fall to Mississippi College.
The Peach Basket rivalry began in 1983, a year after VSU began football and two years after its return at West Georgia. The Blazers dominated in the early years, winning the first nine games. West Georgia went 7-1 from 1992-99, but it's been nearly all Valdosta State since.
UWG did win three consecutive from 2014-15 (including a playoff game) and last year's contest, 54-17.
Valdosta State enters having won over West Alabama a week ago, 20-14. Besides the win and the the No. 3 ranking, the Blazers got good news in a different department: Wide receiver Rodney Bullard was named Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week.
Bullard caught six passes for 108 yards and a touchdown versus West Alabama. He has 335 yards and three touchdowns on 20 receptions for the year.
