What Is 2016 Valdosta State Blazers football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Valdosta State Blazers football team represented Valdosta State University in the NCAA Division II football season, finishing with a 10-3 record and advancing to the NCAA semifinals after winning the Gulf South Conference (GSC) title.

Key Facts

The 2016 Valdosta State Blazers finished the season with a 10-3 overall record
They won the Gulf South Conference (GSC) championship with a 6-1 conference record
Head coach Kerwin Bell led the team in his first season at the helm
The Blazers advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals before losing to North Dakota
Quarterback Chris Moore threw for 2,417 yards and 21 touchdowns during the season

Overview

The 2016 Valdosta State Blazers football team represented Valdosta State University in the NCAA Division II football season as members of the Gulf South Conference (GSC). Under first-year head coach Kerwin Bell, the team achieved a 10-3 overall record and captured the GSC championship with a 6-1 conference mark.

Valdosta State advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals, marking one of the most successful seasons in program history. The team showcased a balanced offense and a strong defense, earning national recognition throughout the season.

Record: The Blazers finished the 2016 season with a 10-3 overall record and a 6-1 conference record in the Gulf South Conference.
Championship: They won the Gulf South Conference title by defeating West Georgia 35-20 in the regular-season finale.
Playoff Run: The team advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals, falling to North Dakota 37-13 in a semifinal showdown.
Head Coach: Kerwin Bell took over as head coach in 2016, leading the team to a playoff berth in his inaugural season.
Quarterback Performance: Chris Moore passed for 2,417 yards and 21 touchdowns, leading the offensive attack with consistency.

How It Works

The 2016 season was structured around NCAA Division II regulations, including an 11-game regular season, conference play, and a national playoff system culminating in a championship game.

Regular Season: The Blazers played an 11-game regular season, including six conference matchups and five non-conference games, beginning in September.
Conference Play: As a member of the Gulf South Conference, Valdosta State faced regional rivals like West Georgia, Shorter, and Mississippi College.
Playoff Qualification: The team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs with a 9-2 regular-season record.
Postseason Format: The NCAA Division II playoffs feature 28 teams, with Valdosta State entering as the No. 6 seed in Super Region 2.
Game Strategy: The offense relied on a pro-style attack, while the defense used a 3-4 alignment to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Recruiting Impact: Success in 2016 helped boost recruiting, attracting junior college transfers and high school standouts to the program.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2016 Valdosta State Blazers with the national champion, North Carolina Central, and the previous year's Valdosta State team.

Category	2016 Valdosta State	2016 North Carolina Central (D-II Champ)	2015 Valdosta State
Overall Record	10-3	14-0	7-4
Conference Record	6-1 (GSC)	7-0 (CIAA)	5-3
Playoff Result	Semifinals	Champions	First Round
Points Per Game	31.8	39.6	28.1
Total Yards Per Game	412.4	487.1	398.7

The 2016 Valdosta State team showed significant improvement over the 2015 squad, particularly in playoff performance and offensive output. While they fell short of the national title, their semifinal appearance marked a high point under new leadership.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a turning point for the Valdosta State football program, demonstrating sustained competitiveness at the Division II level and setting a foundation for future success.

Program Momentum: The 10-win season revitalized fan interest and elevated the national profile of the football program.
Coaching Transition: Kerwin Bell’s successful debut season proved the program could thrive under new leadership.
Recruiting Boost: Playoff success helped attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent years.
Regional Rivalry: The win over West Georgia solidified Valdosta State’s dominance in GSC competition.
Player Development: Several players earned All-American and All-GSC honors, showcasing strong development.
Legacy Building: The 2016 run is remembered as a key chapter in the Blazers' pursuit of a national title.

With strong leadership and consistent performance, the 2016 Valdosta State Blazers laid the groundwork for continued excellence in Division II football.