Gridiron Lowdown: Focused on Valdosta State

Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

Following their big win over then 18th ranked West Alabama last Saturday, Florida Tech head coach Steve Englehart took a little time to enjoy his teams' victory, but it wasn't long before he was back to the coaching grind. 

“It was good that it was a day game because then you had the rest of the day to savor it,” he said. “Went home, hung out with the family and had some friends over. It was fun, but back to work on Sunday to start preparing for a good Valdosta State team, who had a good win as well.” 

Valdosta is coming off a 34-13 win over Delta State that saw the Blazers force four turnovers and scoring on all of them, to the tune of three touchdowns and a field goal. 

“That was a huge win for them,” Englehart said. “They lost a close one early in the year to Albany State, they lost a close one to North AL and they lost to West Georgia. They're getting back on track now, won a couple in a row and they feel like they're fighting for their playoff chances as well these last several games.” 

After last week's victory, Mason Wilfong said that the key for the Panthers is to focus on one game at a time and go 1-0 every week. Englehart agreed with that sentiment. 

“We have been one game at a time and I think especially after that North Alabama loss, we gotta play one week at a time and every week matters.  

“We've been practicing hard every day of the week,” he continued. “Guys are going full pads and as you can see they're out there hitting and there's no time for us to relax, we got three games left and we gotta make the most out of every one of them.” 

Englehart is not one to dwell on the past, but because of the way the West Florida game ended, as a fan, you can't help but wonder if that game will be the one that is the difference between making the playoffs or not. He did touch on that a bit on Wednesday. 

“Of course that West Florida one was one that hurts and that's gonna hurt for a long time,” he said. “I think even if we did have that win, because of the way the playoff works, I still would have the same process of we can't lose if we think we are gonna make the playoffs. I don't know what the outcome will be and how the points will all pan out once everybody gets done with the season, I just know that we have to win this week and continue to win to have a chance.” 

Starting quarterback Mark Cato, who was named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Week for the second consecutive week on Monday, has been dealing with a shoulder injury for the last few weeks and appeared to aggravate it on Saturday on his game-winning touchdown run. He said after the game that he felt okay and he has practiced this week, as he normally would. 

“He says it feels the same as it did last week,” Englehart said. “It's just one of those things that's probably gonna bother him all year, but he's a tough kid and he'll get out there and battle, it's just a pain tolerance thing at this point.” 

The game at Valdosta State will kickoff at 7:00 p.m. You can listen on WFIT.org, 89.5 FM on your radio or for free on the TuneIn Radio app. Jerry Durney and Paul Van Scott will be on the call, starting with the pregame show at 6:30 p.m. 

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