BY RONNIE GALLAGHER
SALISBURY POST

David Bennett looked over the four regions which produced the eight teams still vying for the 2001 Division II national championship.

Whoever wins today’s South Region title game between his Catawba College Indians and the Valdosta State University Blazers sure seems like a good bet to go all the way.

That’s the way it is in the playoffs. The South has long been regarded as the toughest region.

For the record, the Gulf South Conference, of which Valdosta is a member, has six national titles: three by North Alabama and one each by Jacksonville State, Troy State and, just last season, Delta State. Carson-Newman has represented the South Atlantic Conference three times in title games, all ending in losses.

This year, nothing has changed. Valdosta is No. 1 in the nation. Catawba is No. 8.

“The winner of this game,” Bennett mused, “has a good chance to roll on.”

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Catawba would love to be the team that takes the game, which will start at 1 p.m., but the odds are against the only private school left in the playoffs.

“I can’t find a weakness,” Bennett shrugged. “They’d probably do well in the 1-AA playoffs.”

Valdosta State (12-0) is the type of team you like seeing ranked No. 1 in the country. The Blazers don’t talk a lot of junk. They just play hard for their coach, Chris Hatcher, who Bennett thinks is a class act. Hatcher is an amazing 22-2 at his alma mater.

“He was calling me sir,’” laughed Bennett. “I told him to quit saying that ... but he’s not even 30 years old.”

Hatcher, a former quarterback, was once the Harlon Hill Trophy winner at Valdosta State. And by the way, he is coaching the current Harlon Hill Trophy winner in QB Dusty Bonner.

Bonner’s story is a little fickle. He led the Southeastern Conference in passing as a sophomore at Kentucky but was beaten out and transferred to Valdosta State. He has done nothing but set the world on fire since.

He comes into today, having completed 71 percent of his passes. He has tossed 48 touchdown strikes. He has 3,711 yards in the air.

Whew.

But just when you decide Bonner is all the Blazers have, Bennett shows you the stats:

n Aaron Jenkins is a 5-foot-7 tailback who led the Gulf South Conference in touchdowns (21) and also rushed for over 1,300 yards.

n Receiver Reggie Mosley had 62 catches for over 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns.

n Just when you think you’ve got tabs on those two, C.J. Lofton will burn you. He had 50 receptions for almost 700 yards.

Valdosta State is beating teams by an average of 48-12 and gives Catawba its second straight opponent that averages over 500 yards of offense.

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Valdosta opened America’s eyes midway through the season when it defeated Delta State 70-12. The Blazers got on a roll, scoring at least 50 points in five straight games.

“My goodness, they’re just thrashing people,” Bennett said. “It’s scary when you look at their scores. They’re an athletic, explosive football team.”

In other words, you have to play almost perfect football to win. Or Valdosta must play below expectations.

That happened last week when seven turnovers almost led to an upset. Fort Valley State was within 28-24 in the second half before losing 40-24.

So beating the No. 1 team can be done. The question is, Will anybody do it?

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Catawba has as good a chance as anybody. Bennett used to say his team was young. He hasn’t said that in a while because all of those underclassmen (25 Indians making the trip are sophomores and freshmen) have matured into a fundamentally sound 10-1 football team.

Rodney Wallace ran roughshod in a 35-34 win over Central Arkansas last week but the 1,000-yard rusher may be slowed this week by a defense that hadn’t given up over 17 points until last week.

“I don’t think we’ll be able to run as well because they’re a much better football team,” Bennett said. “Believe it or not, we’re going to face an even better football team than last week.”

Tight end Mark Sintich is certainly impressed.

“Their defense is a lot better than Central Arkansas,” he said. “They’re quicker and more athletic. We’ll have to do some different things. But first and foremost, they have to stop our bread and butter (plays).”

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Valdosta’s bread and butter? Pass, Dusty, pass.

Which puts pressure on Catawba’s defensive line. But 300-pound James McDowell is ready for the challenge of facing Bonner.

“They have a great offense and they’re the toughest team we’ll face,” said Mac Daddy. “But we’ve already faced (Presbyterian quarterback) Todd Cunningham and he’s another great one.”

Catawba has won a first-round playoff game three straight seasons. The Indians would like to take that second step. And it would be a giant one against such a tradition-laden team.

“That’s football heaven right there, baby,” Bennett said of Valdosta, Ga. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Bennett must work on the mindset of his players. Can his youngsters keep a level head and not get caught up in the hoopla, and the reputation of playing No. 1?

“We like being the underdog,” smiled McDowell. “We take it in stride and just work harder.”

Bennett isn’t worried about his Indians either.

“One of our kids said, ‘If you’re going to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.’

“Now, we play the best.”

Let’s do it.

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Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4287 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com .