Thrice as nice — Ferris State, Valdosta State meet for the DII football championship, again

The 2024 DII football season was one to remember. What could be coined the year of the upset, we saw four different No. 1 teams in four consecutive weeks. We saw a quarterfinals with a record four unseeded teams making up half the field. Yet when the dust settled, the season comes down to one game between the division's No. 1 and No. 2 teams.

Ferris State and Valdosta State meet in McKinney, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 21 for the national championship game. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. ET, and you can .

Never mind the fact that these are two statistically strong programs — there is plenty of history here. Flashback to 2018: The DII football championship game moved from its home in Kansas City, Kansas to its new digs at McKinney ISD Stadium. To inaugurate the arrival, Valdosta State and Ferris State — which were both undefeated when the national championship game began — played in a thrilling and historic DII football title game in which several records were shattered, as the Blazers won their fourth national championship in the final seconds, 49-47. Ferris State would even the score two seasons later, as the two met again in McKinney in 2021; however, this time it was all Bulldogs, who won the first of consecutive national championships 58-17.

So, what can we expect in the rubber match this coming weekend? 

The DII football championship, statistically speaking (per krikya18.com)

Valdosta State's quest for perfection

The Blazers hail from Valdosta, Georgia, nicknamed Title Town USA, so it should be no surprise they are playing for yet another national championship. The Blazers are in their seventh championship game since 2002 and looking for win No. 5. Valdosta State sits at 13-0 and has played one — ONE — game this season decided by one score, an eight-point victory back in October. Kudos to Minnesota State — the Mavericks only lost by 14 points to Valdosta State in the semifinals, one of just three times a game has been that close for the Blazers all season.

They have one of the best at the helm as Tremaine Jackson was named the 2024 AFCA coach of the year. It's pretty remarkable — the Blazers have been in four national championship games since 2012, and all four have been with different head coaches. That says something about the football mindset in Valdosta.

They also have one of the best QBs under center. Sammy Edwards is a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist for two years running. He isn't simply talented — he has set the tone for one of the smartest and most efficient offenses in DII. The Blazers have the seventh-best scoring offense in the division, but perhaps more impressively, have turned it over just four times. Edwards has done his part, throwing for 3,101 yards, rushing for 222 more, and totaling 30 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He has a few weapons at his disposal, but Rodney Bullard has been his biggest threat, reeling in 986 yards and 12 touchdowns, both team highs. 

Trinidad Chambliss is taking care of BUSINESS 😤 x 📽️ ESPN+ /

— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII)

As you'll see with Ferris State, the Blazers are blessed with a talented offensive line. Jeremiah Mawali (6-foot-6, 300 pounds), Kenley-Mary Asse (6-foot-4, 340 pounds) and Will Flowers (6-foot-3, 283 pounds) all earned All-Region honors and should help counter that Ferris State renowned offensive line advantage the Bulldogs seemingly always have. 

All-Region safety Larry Elder paces the defense with 93 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one interception, four forced fumbles and a ton of tackles for losses. His aggressiveness will be put to the test, and he may be called upon as an extra piece against this Ferris State rushing attack. Linebacker Caden Campolieti hopes to find his way into the backfield — he led the team in sacks and was second in quarterback hits. 

Ferris State's ridiculous run

Remember when Ferris State lost its opener at Pittsburg State? The Bulldogs aren't merely 13-0 since then, they have done it at an unbelievable pace. They responded by going 3-0 in September, outscoring their opponents — which included Super Region One playoff-bound Ashland — 183-13. Beginning on Oct. 19, the Bulldogs disposed of Michigan Tech, Grand Valley State, Saginaw Valley State and Davenport — all teams that had winning records and were in the tournament conversation — and only Saginaw Valley State was able to come within two scores. When the tournament started, nothing changed — the Bulldogs steamrolled through the first two rounds by a combined score of 119-24 before mounting that fourth-quarter comeback in the semifinals against Slippery Rock... and still won by two scores.

This year, it's been a little different for head coach Tony Annese — a Super Region Three staple and one of the best in DII for more than a decade. Trinidad Chambliss has been the primary quarterback, opposed to the arsenal of weapons under center Ferris State has had for the past several years. But after losing touchdown machine Carson Gulker early to a season-ending injury,  A true dual threat, he has 2,772 yards passing, 941 yards rushing and 49 total touchdowns. Kannon Katzer has been a game-changer since the tournament started, helping Chambliss lock down that running game. Katzer has 441 yards rushing and six touchdowns since the tournament started.

Trinidad Chambliss is taking care of BUSINESS 😤 x 📽️ ESPN+ /

— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII)

One thing that is the same is the size the Bulldogs have on that offensive line. It is littered with 6-foot, 300-pound athletic players that make it tough to shut down that running attack. Bryce George, for example, is 6-foot-5 and 314 pounds, Lawrence Hatter is listed at 6-foot-5, 335 and Jarvis Windom is 6-foot-2, 300. These aren't just large masses, the trio earned First Team All-GLIAC with George and Hatter earning All-Region nods. They have quite literally been a huge advantage thus far in 2024.

Defensively, Ferris State is one of the best in DII with the seventh-best scoring defense. Linebacker Sefa Saipaia has been a total beast, leading the team with 83 tackles, recording two sacks, three fumble recoveries and an interception. 

How the game is won

Before the tournament started, I predicted Valdosta State would win the national 2024 DII football championship. The Blazers still can do that; however, I had them beating Harding, not this steamroller that Ferris State has been. Things, you can say, have changed.

Slippery Rock showed that the Ferris State defense can be scored upon. However, The Rock, unlike the Blazers, didn't have a top-10 defense in DII. If Valdosta State can execute as it has all season against Ferris State and get a reasonable lead, the Blazers' defense appears to be too stout to allow a comeback. The same can be said for Ferris State. Both of these teams have shown they know how to drive the dagger all the way into opponents.

Despite having Edwards, I think the Blazers' offense depends on establishing Alfonso Franklin. The running back has scored a rushing touchdown in 10 straight games and has scored six rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns in three DII tournament games and is coming off a five-score semifinal. Establishing the run lets Edwards play his game — if Valdosta State becomes one-dimensional and tries to be pass-heavy, Ferris will feast. Just look at what it did to the rush-minded Harding, record-setting run game, holding the Bisons to its lowest yardage output since 2016.

Establishing the run against the Bulldogs is easier said than done. For Ferris State, it simply can't make mistakes. The Bulldogs' 23 turnovers were among the worst in DII football, and Valdosta State is simply too good to give extra chances with the football.

These are two of three teams this season that had a top-10 scoring offense and defense, so there isn't a great advantage one has over the other. Both quarterbacks are Harlon Hill finalists, so again, no advantage there. We all know what people think of Super Region Three, but Super Region Two produces national champions, too, so once again... not much of an advantage. This game will likely be won in the trenches, and whichever team can disrupt the backfield and cause the one big mistake that turns the tide.