VSU’s Moore gets his first interception against Thorobreds

Published 4:42 pm Sunday, October 2, 2016

WAYCROSS — Eight different Valdosta State defenders had intercepted a pass this season heading into Saturday’s Okefenokee Classic.

But none of those Blazers were senior safety Kenny Moore, an All-American a year ago and VSU’s lone preseason all-Gulf South Conference selection.

While the “Black Swarm” had been busy creating havoc and turnovers through three games, Moore had been absent from the turnover department, even as he was leading VSU with 15 tackles.

That finally changed in VSU’s 48-10 rout of Kentucky State at Waycross’ Memorial Stadium.

Late in the second quarter, Moore intercepted Thorobred quarterback Jules St. Ge, snaring a pass intended for Demetrius Anderson, and returning it 26 yards to set up a Blazer touchdown.

“Finally,” Moore said. “They kept trying to throw the corner on us. And two or three plays before that I heard them yell off the sideline, ‘Watch the safety. Watch the safety.’ So I knew it was either going to be a corner route again or a double move. It was the double move, but they go to the corner first and then went to the post.

“I had to just go get it.”

It was part of a busy day for the Lowndes High product. In addition to the interception, Moore also had 2.5 tackles, all behind the line of scrimmage, with one sack. He also had three pass breakups as he disrupted the KSU offense. He played his part in the dominant performance from the “Black Swarm,” who allowed just nine first downs and 154 yards of total offense. The Thorobreds picked up 72 of that on their first scoring drive, which ended in a 25-yard Bill Rose field goal.

“That’s what we try to preach in practice every day and we just try to go out there and just do what we do in practice,” Moore said. “We have some aggressive coaches and they’re just staying on us every time.”

But Moore was also relieved to finally play his part in VSU’s opportunistic defense.

“It was due day,” he added. “It’s been past due.”

BIG DAYS ALL AROUND

Offensively, the Blazers received big contributions from their entire receiving corps in the record-setting passing performance.

Senior Xay Howard led the way with 10 catches for 153 yards, while Dallas Baldner added 120 yards on eight receptions. It was the biggest day for both as Howard’s previous career high was six receptions against North Alabama on Sept. 17 and 65 yards on five receptions against the Lions a year ago. Baldner’s previous best was four receptions for 80 yards in the season opener against Albany State.

“Those two guys and the whole rest of the group,” VSU quarterback Adam Robles said. “Stephen Denmark made some big plays, Donovan, Damien, everybody. Our receiving corps really came together today and had a great game.

“We’re getting better every week and I expect us to be even better next week.”

VSU head coach Kerwin Bell added: “I love the improvement and I love the way our receivers are starting to step up.

“Xay is really coming on. We sort of pressed him that he had to get better than what he was the first couple of games and man, he’s really accepted that challenge.”

The two weren’t alone. Donovan Bolden had six catches for 82 yards, his best performance since catching eight passes for 81 yards against UNA in the 2014 postseason, while Stephen Denmark set new personal bests with five catches for 65 yards. Joe Fortson also had his best game as a Blazer with four catches for 84 yards, while Johnny Williams had three catches for 22 yards after catching just one pass previously as a Blazer.

Damien Strange, a transfer from Jacksonville University, had four receptions for the third game this year while he caught six at North Alabama, but had two touchdowns as well.

Even with the big day and the record passing yardage, the Blazers felt they could have been even better.

“We got our chemistry down and focused on the little things,” Howard said. “It came to play, you came to see it today.

“The sky’s the limit because school record today and we left a lot, we missed a lot. We could have been past 800 if anything. The sky’s the limit and we just have to keep doing what we’re doing in practice and come out here and execute in a game.”

Robles added: We left a lot of yards on the field and a lot of points on the field. And I put a lot of that on me. I have high expectations for myself … we’re going to clean some things up and be ready for next week.”

GROWING UP

With returning starters Josh Adams and David May out with injuries as well as tackle Andrew Marshall, the Blazers pieced together a young offensive front against the Thorobreds. Sophomore Cam Morgan, a transfer from Stetson, started in May’s place at center, while freshman Austin White, a Brooks County product, lined up at right guard. Travion Wallace, another JU transfer, started at right tackle in Marshall’s place, but freshman Toa Lavatai played there as well.

And even with so many new faces, Bell was impressed with their work as VSU racked up 639 yards on 91 plays.

“Our line played really well and it was sort of makeshift,” he said. “I thought they did an outstanding job. 

“That’s where it all starts is with those big boys up front and you have to give them a lot of credit today.”

Jamie Wachter is the sports editor of the Valdosta Daily Times and can be followed on Twitter @jlwachter.