Braving the elements

FLORENCE - Lauren Christie wiped the rain from her cheeks Saturday afternoon before snapping a photo as she stood with a friend near midfield at Braly Municipal Stadium.

The Valdosta State University junior said she drove 4 1/2 hours from Atlanta before the game to see the Blazers capture their second NCAA Division II national championship in the last four years.

"This is amazing," Christie said. "They did it the year before I came down, and now we've done it again."

Valdosta State beat Northwest Missouri State, 25-20, after rallying from a 14-3 halftime deficit.

"All you have to say is - second half," Valdosta State alum Hal Funderburk said. "Words can't describe this."

The loss marks the third straight year the Bearcats have fallen short in the championship game.

The Blazers scored on a one-yard plunge by running back Michael Terry with 22 seconds left in the game to capture the title.

"It's an awesome feeling," said Marcus Johnson, who played for the Blazers in the early 1990s. "We are building a dynasty. This is great."

A large portion of the 7,532 people there who braved a cold rain and overcast skies for part of the day did not walk away feeling the same way.

"This hurts bad," said Jimmy Newhouse, who traveled to the Shoals for a third straight year to see Northwest Missouri State in the title game. "I thought this was going to be the one. I just don't know what else to say."

NCAA officials said they were pleased with the crowd, especially in light of weather reports all week that had predicted cold temperatures and rain.

"I think this is the eighth year I've worked with the game and the crowds have all been from 6,000 to 9,000," Randy Buhr, associate director of championships for the NCAA, said.

"Based on the weather, I am fairly pleased with the attendance. I think the Shoals National Championship Committee and the University of North Alabama did a great job hosting this game for a 22nd year."

Fans spent the morning at tailgate parties surrounding Braly Municipal Stadium before the 11 a.m. nationally televised game.

"This is what it's all about," Northwest Missouri State fan Jason Heche said. "We love coming down here. We always have a good time in Florence, but the main thing is that it means we are playing for the national championship."

Buhr said that NCAA officials were excited about some new things the players got to experience this week while in the Shoals.

Players from both teams participated in a community service project Friday in which they visited local elementary schools to read to students.

"It was a great initiative where the student-athletes and the elementary students got a lot out of it," Buhr said. "It was great to add that to this game."

Buhr said officials always want to see larger crowds for championship games, but they were pleased with the Shoals and the 2007 national championship game.

"We are looking forward to coming back to the Shoals next December for another national championship game."

Jonathan Willis can be reached at 332-0140 or jonathan.willis@timesdaily.com.