Valdosta State opened the 2026 Division II football season with a 38-10 victory over Emory & Henry at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia.
The game featured explosive plays from start to finish, with the Blazers turning big gains into points and pulling away after halftime to take control of the season opener.
- Sign Up For FloCollege To Watch D2 Football All Season Long
- 5 Biggest Changes Coming To D2 Football In 2026
- Which D2 Football Teams Can Beat FCS Opponents In August?
Valdosta State running back Shawn Paschall led all rushers with 127 yards, while Emory & Henry quarterback Cole Lambert finished with 150 passing yards and a 90.8 passer rating. Emory & Henry wide receiver Khyair Lundy led the Wasps with 58 receiving yards.
Read the full FloCollege recap of the game and subscribe to FloCollege for FCS, D2 and D3 football throughout the season.
3:11 AM
Final: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 38
Blazers Win The Season Opener!
That’s the final in Valdosta! Valdosta State defeats Emory & Henry 38-10 to open the 2026 Division II football season with a statement victory and start the year on a winning streak.
Statistical Leaders:
- Passing: Emory & Henry QB #12 Cole Lambert - 150 YDS, 90.8 RTG
- Rushing: Valdosta State RB #4 Shawn Paschall - 127 YDS
- Receiving: Emory & Henry WR #11 Khyair Lundy - 58 YDS
3:02 AM
4th 2:00: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 38
Blazers Face A Tough Third Down
On 3rd & 14, Joshua Gooding sacks Tyrieke Wade for a four-yard loss, pushing Valdosta State back to its own 42-yard line.
2:59 AM
4th 4:09: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 38
Flag Wipes Away Grier’s Big Run
Kenai Grier appears to break free for a touchdown, but a holding penalty on Kyren Green brings the play back. Valdosta State is moved back 10 yards to the Emory & Henry 48.
2:51 AM
4th 6:04: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 38
Fitzgerald Adds Three More
Facing 4th & 3, Brett Fitzgerald knocks through a 44-yard field goal to add three points for the Blazers and stretch Valdosta State’s lead to 38-10.
2:46 AM
4th 10:30: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 35
Blazers Keep The Pressure On
Matthew Wilson runs left for four yards to the Valdosta State 43-yard line, keeping the Blazers moving as they look to build on their 35-10 lead.
2:35 AM
4th 14:31: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 35
Washington Jr. On The Reverse!
Leon Washington Jr. breaks loose for a 71-yard touchdown run, sending the Blazers racing into the end zone. Brett Fitzgerald’s extra point is good, pushing Valdosta State’s lead to 35-10.
View this post on Instagram
2:34 AM
4th Quarter Begins: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 28
Fourth Quarter Drama Already!
The fourth quarter is underway, and the Wasps’ first scoring chance comes up empty as Bryant Nottingham’s 46-yard field goal attempt sails wide right. Valdosta State leads 28-10.
2:28 AM
End of 3rd Quarter: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 28
Three Quarters Down!
The third quarter comes to a close in Valdosta, with play having resumed following an injury stoppage. The Blazers lead the Wasps 28-10 heading into the fourth.
Statistical Leaders:
- Passing: Emory & Henry QB #12 Cole Lambert - 150 YDS
- Rushing: Valdosta State RB #4 Shawn Paschall - 127 YDS
- Receiving: Emory & Henry WR #6 Parker Prioleau - 5 REC
2:26 AM
3rd 0:29: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 28
Injury Stoppage In Valdosta
Play has been stopped due to an injury to Emory & Henry’s Parker Prioleau. Both teams await the resumption of play at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
2:19 AM
3rd 2:15: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 28
Lundy Breaks Loose For A Big Gain!
Cole Lambert connects with Khyair Lundy for a huge 26-yard completion, moving the Wasps to midfield and giving Emory & Henry a big boost on the drive.
2:12 AM
3rd 3:15: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 28
89-Yard Touchdown! Are You Kidding?!
Shawn Paschall breaks loose for an incredible 89-yard touchdown run, racing all the way to the end zone and giving Valdosta State another huge score. Brett Fitzgerald’s extra point is good, putting Valdosta State ahead 28-10.
View this post on Instagram
2:05 AM
3rd 5:21: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 21
Blazers Back In Control
Champ Harris connects with Bo Tallevast for a 3-yard touchdown, and Kicker Brett Fitzgerald converts the extra point to give Valdosta State a 21-10 lead.
2:02 AM
3rd 7:36: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 14
Harris Moves The Chains
Champ Harris keeps the ball and rushes right for six yards to the Emory & Henry 18-yard line, picking up a first down for the Blazers.
1:52 AM
3rd 10:25: Emory & Henry 10 Valdosta State 14
Wasps Cut Into The Deficit
Bryant Nottingham drills a 47-yard field goal to bring Emory & Henry within 14-10 of Valdosta State.
1:50 AM
3rd 11:26: Emory & Henry 7 Valdosta State 14
Blazers Bring The Pressure
Jayden Bethea gets to Cole Lambert for a 9-yard sack, dropping the Wasps back to the Valdosta State 30-yard line on 3rd-and-8.
1:40 AM
3rd Quarter Begins: Emory & Henry 7 Valdosta State 14
Third Quarter Kicks Off
The third quarter is underway in Valdosta, Georgia, with Valdosta State holding a 14-7 lead over Emory & Henry as both teams return to the field.
1:21 AM
End of 1st Half: Emory & Henry 7 Valdosta State 14
Halftime In Valdosta
That’s halftime in Valdosta, Georgia, with the Blazers holding a 14-7 lead over the Wasps after an action-packed first half.
Statistical Leaders:
- Passing: Emory & Henry QB #12 Cole Lambert - 75 YDS, 102.3 RTG
- Rushing: Emory & Henry RB #5 De'Ante Childs - 38 YDS
- Receiving: Emory & Henry WR #6 Parker Prioleau - 4 REC, 32 YDS
1:09 AM
2nd 0:48: Emory & Henry 7 Valdosta State 14
Wasps Get On The Board!
Mason Iovino powers into the end zone from 1 yard out for an Emory & Henry touchdown with 48 seconds left. Asher Frisbee’s extra point is good, making it 14-7.
12:59 AM
2nd 2:57: Emory & Henry 0 Valdosta State 14
Harris Finds The End Zone
Champ Harris keeps it himself and races 12 yards to the end zone for a Valdosta State touchdown with 2:57 left. Brett Fitzgerald’s extra point is good, making it 14-0.
12:57 AM
2nd 3:04: Emory & Henry 0 Valdosta State 7
Blazers Call Timeout
Valdosta State calls a timeout, giving the Blazers a chance to regroup as the game heads toward the end of the half.
12:50 AM
2nd 7:21: Emory & Henry 0 Valdosta State 7
Wilson Keeps The Drive Moving
Matthew Wilson runs to the right for a three-yard gain to the Wasps 36-yard line, setting up another first down for the Wasps as the drive continues.
12:47 AM
2nd 8:40: Emory & Henry 0 Valdosta State 7
Flag Wipes Out The Sack
Julius Pascal sacks Cole Lambert for a four-yard loss, but a personal foul on Valdosta State erases the play. The Wasps keep the down and gain 15 yards.
12:36 AM
2nd 9:48: Emory & Henry 0 Valdosta State 7
Blazers Miss On A Big Opportunity
Champ Harris delivers a beautiful pass to DJ Mallary down the middle, but the catch isn't secured, keeping Valdosta State from adding another touchdown.
12:28 AM
2nd Quarter Begins: Emory & Henry 0 Valdosta State 7
Wasps Look To Answer Back
Emory & Henry has possession to begin the second quarter, trailing Valdosta State 7-0 and looking to get on the scoreboard.
Statistical Leaders:
- Passing: Valdosta State QB #7 Hezekiah Harris - 16 YDS, 110.7 RTG
- Rushing: Valdosta State RB #4 Shawn Paschall - 29 YDS
- Receiving: Valdosta State WR #4 Shawn Paschall - 1 REC, 13 YDS
12:22 AM
End of 1st: Emory & Henry 0 Valdosta State 7
One Quarter Down In Valdosta
Valdosta State leads Emory & Henry 7-0 after the first quarter, with Rowan Darnell’s touchdown giving the Blazers the early advantage.
12:19 AM
1st 1:22: Emory & Henry 0 Valdosta State 7
Blazers Strike First!
Rowan Darnell scores a touchdown for Valdosta State, and Brent Fitzgerald converts the extra point to put the Blazers ahead 7-0.
View this post on Instagram
12:08 AM
1st 8:23: Emory & Henry 0 Valdosta State 0
Blazers Pick Up The 1st First Down
Valdosta State picks up a first down with 8:23 remaining in the first quarter, keeping the Blazers’ drive alive.
11:59 PM
1st 10:39: Emory & Henry 0 Valdosta State 0
Blazers Prepare To Punt
With 10:39 remaining in the first quarter, Valdosta State is preparing to send out its punt team after the drive stalls.
11:44 PM
Game Begins: Emory & Henry 0 Valdosta State 0
And We're Off! Division II Football Season Begins
The 2026 Division II football season officially gets underway as Emory & Henry and Valdosta State meet at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for Thursday night’s season opener.
11:14 PM
Weather Delay: We're Almost Ready For Kickoff
A weather delay earlier pushed back kickoff, but conditions have cleared in Valdosta. Warmups are now underway, with kickoff scheduled for 7:43 p.m. ET.
10:48 PM
Valdosta State Blazers Football Schedule
- Aug. 27 (Thu), 7:00 p.m. ET – vs. Emory & Henry
- Sept. 3 (Thu), 7:00 p.m. ET – vs. Warner (Fla.)
- Sept. 12 (Sat), 6:00 p.m. ET – at Fayetteville State
- Sept. 19 (Sat), 1:00 p.m. ET – at UNC Pembroke
- Oct. 3 (Sat), 4:00 p.m. ET – vs. Erskine
- Oct. 24 (Sat), 3:00 p.m. ET – vs. Shorter
- Oct. 31 (Sat), 2:00 p.m. ET – at West Alabama
- Nov. 7 (Sat), 2:00 p.m. ET – vs. North Greenville
- Nov. 14 (Sat), 3:00 p.m. ET – at Delta State
10:46 PM
Emory & Henry Wasps Football Schedule
- Aug. 27 (Thu), 7:00 p.m. ET – at Valdosta State
- Sept. 5 (Sat), 2:00 p.m. ET – at Ferrum
- Sept. 12 (Sat), 1:00 p.m. ET – vs. Tusculum
- Sept. 19 (Sat), 6:00 p.m. ET – at Catawba
- Sept. 26 (Sat), 1:00 p.m. ET – vs. Newberry
- Oct. 3 (Sat), 1:00 p.m. ET – at Anderson (S.C.)
- Oct. 10 (Sat), 1:00 p.m. ET – vs. Mars Hill
- Oct. 17 (Sat), 1:00 p.m. ET – at Carson-Newman
- Oct. 31 (Sat), 1:00 p.m. ET – vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
- Nov. 7 (Sat), 1:30 p.m. ET – at Wingate
- Nov. 14 (Sat), 1:00 p.m. ET – vs. UVA Wise
10:40 PM
D2 Football Rankings 2026: Preseason Top 25
- Ferris State
- Harding
- Kutztown
- Pittsburg State
- Central Washington
- CSU Pueblo
- Indianapolis
- Minnesota State
- Northwest Missouri State
- Virginia Union
- Findlay
- Western Colorado
- Ashland
- Newberry
- Minnesota Duluth
- UT Permian Basin
- Grand Valley State
- Frostburg State
- Albany State
- Johnson C. Smith
- Wingate
- Augustana (SD)
- Western Oregon
- Slippery Rock
- Chadron State
Also Received Votes:
Northwood, Delta State, Michigan Tech, Northeastern State, Upper Iowa, Kentucky State, Assumption, Emory & Henry, Benedict, UNC Pembroke
10:27 PM
Join The College Football Conversation
- Follow us on Twitter @FloCollegeFB
- Follow us on Instagram @FloCollegeFootball
- Follow us on TikTok @FloCollegeFootball
- Watch us on YouTube
- Like us on Facebook