VALDOSTA — The auditorium in Valdosta State’s Continuing Education building erupted Sunday morning, as a year of fighting back from disappointment came to an end.

At 11:30 a.m. Sunday, when the Division II football playoff seedings were announced on ESPNU, the VSU football family watched in glee.

The dozens of players, coaches, fans, VSU Athletic Staff and family watched on a jumbo screen as the Northwest, Southwest and Northeast seedlings were announced.

Last but not least, the Southeast Region’s section of the bracket came through the projector, displaying VSU as the No. 1 seed, awaiting the winner of the first-round matchup of Catawba (10-1) and Albany State (8-2).

“We’re excited,” VSU coach David Dean said. “Good things always come last, I guess.”

The Blazers (9-1) may have had to wait until the end of the announcement for their selection this season, but that sure is better than what happened a year ago.

Seeded No. 6 in the Southeast in 2006, the Blazers were bumped from the playoffs by Albany State (a team VSU had beaten during the regular season), under the NCAA’s earned-access rule.

VSU worked all year to take the decision out of the selection committee’s hands, and there isn’t a more definite way to do that than to earn the No. 1 slot.

“It feels good,” VSU quarterback Willie Copeland said. “Last year they denied us, but this year they couldn’t.”

By earning the No. 1 seed, the Blazers became the first team to be atop the Southeast for two consecutive weeks.

VSU, North Alabama and Delta State all had the top ranking this year, with the Blazers starting the year in the coveted spot.

Delta overtook the Blazers, only to fall when it lost to UNA.

“I give a lot credit to our kids,” Dean said. “After they lost to Delta State, it would have been easy to survive and hopefully get into to the playoffs, but they fought their way back up and got the No. 1 seed. And I’m awfully proud of them for that.”

The Blazers were ranked No. 2 after defeating the Lions 27-24 three weeks ago, and moved permanently to the top following a 63-28 win at Arkansas-Monticello.

“It shows that if you take care off business, you deserve the No. 1 spot,” VSU senior tight end Zach Parker said. “But, you never know who in that room is going to make a vote, and who’s going to swing what way. I think we deserved it, the way we played.”