The No. 1 seed means that VSU will host the second round, and if they win, then the Region Championship, before moving on to play the winner of the Northeast Region in the national semifinals.

“We wanted the No. 1 spot, and to stay at home throughout,” VSU senior center Davis Russell said. “I think we’ll have great home support. It’s great to be home.”

The Blazers will have to wait until Saturday to find out who their opponent will be between fifth-seeded Albany State and fourth-seeded Catawba.

While the Blazers haven’t played against Catawba this year, they faced Albany State in the season opener at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. VSU dominated that contest, 41-3.

“We already played Albany State,” Russell said. “We know they got a lot better as the season went on, and Catawba we don’t know much about, but we know they’re always tough. We’re just excited to play either one.”

Playing against the No. 4 or No. 5 seed means the Blazers won’t have to play both Delta State and North Alabama.

Earning the No. 2 seed, the Lions will wait in the second round for either the Statesmen or the No. 6 seed, Shaw.

“I think it worked out well for us,” Dean said. “We’re going to have to go through a lot of people, but Delta and North Alabama have to play each other, and that’s going to be a very physical game. Again, I’m excited, and it doesn’t matter who you put in front of us, we’re just excited about being there.”

VSU will take time off and return to the practice field to prepare against either the Golden Rams or the Indians, and heal up any lingering injuries from their last game against West Georgia.

“Now we focus on what we have to do,” Parker said. “We’ll take this week off, let everybody heal up, and come out next week and get focused on our goal.”

VSU playoff tickets

Tickets for Valdosta State’s second-round matchup go on sale to the general public today at 9 a.m. VSU season ticket holders have until noon Tuesday to re-purchase their tickets, before they get released.

Tickets prices are $15 for reserved, $8 general admission and $4 for students and youth tickets.