Destiny's children win second title

One year ago, Valdosta State was left out of the playoff mix despite finishing the season with an 8-2 record.

Today, the Blazers are basking in the glow of the school's first national championship since 2004.

The biggest difference this year is that the Blazers lost one less game in the regular season and eagerly accepted their inclusion into the 24-team playoff field.

When the Division II playoffs began a month ago, there was more attention given heavyweight contenders like Grand Valley and Northwest Missouri than to the Blazers.

In the end, Valdosta State proved more than worthy to cart away the school's second national championship trophy on a wet, rainy Saturday afternoon at Braly Stadium.

The record book will reflect that Valdosta State won four playoff games, including the 25-20 victory over three-time championship game loser Northwest Missouri. In reality, Valdosta State was in playoff mode ever since losing to Delta State on Oct. 11.

In Division I, LSU has the opportunity to play for a national championship against Ohio State with two losses. These days in Division II, teams with two losses rarely get a playoff invitation. Since the championship game arrived in the Shoals, Northern Colorado is the only team to have won a Division II title with two or more losses, and it did it twice.

There is less room for error in Division II in terms of wins and losses. Valdosta State couldn't win the GSC title, but it did win the national championship.

The Blazers proved this year to be resilient in addition to talented. How else can you explain a season-ending eight-game winning streak in which the Blazers were either tied or behind in the second half at least five times?

Some people say they would rather be lucky than good. Others say they'd rather be good than lucky.

Don't the two go hand in hand, though? How else can you explain the improbable victories the Blazers came away with down the stretch?