Central State University Continues To Giveaway Games

 

            After 3-Home Games, it all ends today (Saturday, October 21, 2017). In just mere minutes, Central State University (CSU) will be playing its Final Home Football Game of the 2017 Season. Today’s opponent is Fort Valley State University (FVSU). This game is Senior Day. At the conclusion of the game, many of the young men have played their Final Organized Home Football Game. Others will have the opportunity to play Professional Football. The National Football League (NFL); Canadian Football League (CFL); and Arena Football League (AFL) are just some of the Professional Football Leagues which exist (in the United States). Going overseas is another option. Semi-Pro Football is always an option too. Going out into the non-sports workforce is what most of the young men will end up doing. No matter where life takes each of the Seniors, one issue is quite certain. While spending time at CSU, each individual has made his impression on and off of the football field. Being a College Student is why the Seniors chose to attend CSU. Earning a College Education is the most important reason for coming to college. Being a Student Athlete is an extra incentive. Regardless of whether or not Central State was victorious, each of the Seniors did his best to be a part of the foundation. That foundation will be something which Future Marauders can utilize. Success may not be the current norm. In the future, something which today’s Seniors have contributed to the foundation (during their time at CSU) will ensure future success does become the norm. Along with the rest of the team, the Seniors put their Health & Well-Being at risk. For doing so, all of the young men earn my Respect & Admiration.

 

            Central State has won the Official Coin Toss. CSU has elected to receive. After Darian Nelson went on to make a 46-Yard Kickoff Return, the Marauders’ Offense got started on Fort Valley State’s 49-Yard Line. On 1^st Down and 10, Terraris Saffold rushed the football. Unfortunately, he obtained only 1-Yard. As soon as the play concluded, a Penalty Flag was thrown (14:42). The Wildcats’ Defense was personalized for a Personal Foul Violation (Face Mask). FVSU’s mistake moved the ball to the Wildcats’ 36-Yard Line. After the next snap, Saffold ran the ball again. This time, he managed to pick up 5-Yards (14:24). On 2^nd Down and 5, Saffold ran for 11-Yards (13:47). Before CSU could run another play, its Offense was penalized for an Illegal Substitution. At 12:51, the ball sat on the 24-Yard Line. On 1^st Down and 15, Nelson made a 9-Yard Rush. His play set CSU up for a 2^nd Down and 1 Play. Saffold went on to obtain the First Down. His 7-Yard Run gave CSU a 1^st Down and Goal on Fort Valley State’s 8-Yard Line (12:13). Once the ball was snapped, Saffold took the ball into the end zone (11:47). Trevor Teel’s Extra Point Kick was No Good. Central State leads Fort Valley State 6-0.

 

            After Central State kicked the ball off, Fort Valley State’s Lorenzo Smothers went on to return the ball for 39-Yards. During the play, Smothers stumbled. Although he was bent over, Smothers managed to maintain his balance. Fort Valley ended up being assessed an Illegal Participation Penalty. The ball was placed on the Wildcats’ own 47-Yard Line. On 1^st Down and 12, Christopher Weems picked up 3-Yards. Chauncey Jackson went on to rush the ball twice. After the second rush, the Wildcats’ Offense now had to deal with 4^th Down and 1 on the Marauders’ 42-Yard Line. Quarterback Slade Jarman kept the ball. He picked up 7-Yards, and he garnered the First Down. FVSU soon had to deal with another 4^th Down Play. With 9:01 on the scoreboard, the ball was still on CSU’s 35-Yard Line. On 4^th Down and 3, Jarman completed an 11-Yard Pass to Bodarius Johnson. At 7:45, the ball was positioned on Central State’s 28-Yard Line. On 3^rd Down and 14, Jarman completed a pass to Jeremy Glinton. The 24-Yard Completion placed the ball on the Marauders’ 4-Yard Line.

 

            Fort Valley State started experiencing trouble. Jarman proceeded to rush the ball twice. The ball ended up being positioned on the 1-Yard Line. On 3^rd Down and Goal, the snap was fumbled. Jarman was able to grasp the football. Then, he threw an Incomplete Pass (6:00). With the Wildcats now down to 4^th and Goal, the team decided to make a Field Goal Attempt. Juan Serna’s Field Goal Attempt was Good. Fort Valley State trails Central State 6-3. With 4:54 on the clock, the ball was on Central State’s own 31-Yard Line. On 2^nd Down and 8, Nelson took the hand-off. With defenders bouncing off of him, he rumbled 11-Yards. Nelson was tackled on the 42-Yard Line. With 3:11 remaining in the 1^st Quarter, CSU faced 3^rd Down and 6 from its own 46-Yard Line. After the snap, Lavon Meeks completed a 15-Yard Pass to Renon Lorenzo. On 2^nd Down and 10, the ball was still on FVSU’s 39-Yard Line. At the 1:49 mark, Meeks completed a 31-Yard Pass. Saffold was the lucky recipient. On the Wildcats’ 8-Yard Line, Saffold was brought down.

 

            On 3^rd Down and Goal, the ball was back on the 11-Yard Line. Meeks kept the ball. He ended up fumbling. Fort Valley’s Kevis Jones recovered the fumble. Meeks’ major mistake might have cost his team some points. Jones recovered the ball on his team’s own 6-Yard Line. At the end of the 1^st Quarter, Central State leads Fort Valley State 6-3. As the 2^nd Quarter got underway, FVSU’s Offense had a 2^nd Down and 2 from the 14-Yard Line. Jeremy McCants moved the ball to the 29-Yard Line (14:54). On 3^rd Down and 5, the ball was on the Wildcats’ 34-Yard Line. Jarman completed a 7-Yard Pass to Jeremy Glinton (13:14). Before Fort Valley could run another play, its Offense committed a False Start Violation. On 1^st Down and 15, the ball was back on the 36-Yard Line. Jarman threw an Incomplete Pass. However, the Wildcats received a gift. The Marauders’ Defensive Back Johnathan Carey was flagged for Pass Interference (12:25). Carey’s violation moved the ball to CSU’s 48-Yard Line.

 

            At 10:57, the ball rested on Central State’s 44-Yard Line. It was 3^rd Down and 6. After the snap, Jarman completed a 10-Yard Pass to Tajee Steele. With the scoreboard reading 9:35, the ball was on CSU’s 35-Yard Line. Before the ball was snapped, Fort Valley State was penalized for a False Start. The Wildcats never recovered. On 4^th Down and 16 from the Marauders’ 41-Yard Line, Fort Valley was forced to Punt (9:27). On 2^nd Down and 3, Central State’s Offense was on its own 27-Yard Line. Scaffold picked up the First Down (8:34). He was tackled on the 33-Yard Line. From that point, CSU went on to go three plays and out. With the ball on the 33-Yard Line, the Marauders faced 4^th Down and 10. The team punted the ball away. FVSU’s Offense fared no better. It went three plays and out. With 5:03 remaining in the 2^nd Quarter, it was now 4^th Down and 12. The ball was on the Wildcats’ own 29-Yard Line. When the ball was snapped, it flew over the Punter’s head. The Punter was able to obtain possession of the ball, and he made a kick. One of Central State’s Special Teams Players was unable to obtain possession. Unfortunately, he touched the ball. Fort Valley’s Special Teams Unit recovered the loose ball.

 

            Fort Valley State started on its own 33-Yard Line. On 1^st Down and 10, Jarman completed a pass to Glinton. The 8-Yard Reception moved the ball to the 41-Yard Line (4:54). The next play ended with Jackson rushing to the 46-Yard Line. The First Down was picked up. At the 3:05 mark, the ball was on Central State’s 46-Yard Line. On 3^rd Down and 2, Jarman rushed for 10-Yards (to the 36-Yard Line). On 2^nd Down and 10, McCants was given the ball. He rushed his way to CSU’s 5-Yard Line (2:20). The 31-Yard Run gave FVSU 1^st Down and Goal. With 2:05 remaining in the 2^nd Quarter, Jackson took the ball into the end zone. After the successful completion of the Extra Point Kick, the Wildcats took a 10-6 Lead. With 1:57 on the clock, the Marauders had 1^st Down and 10 on its own 35-Yard Line. Meeks completed a 13-yard Pass to Renon Lorenzo. Lorenzo was tackled on the 48-Yard Line. On 2^nd Down and 10, Meeks completed a pass to Martell Clark. The 20-Yard Completion placed the ball on FVSU’s 32-Yard Line (1:39).

 

            On 3^rd Down and 12, the ball was on the 34-Yard Line. At the 48.2 Seconds mark, Meeks completed a pass to Nelson. For a loss of 2-Yards, Nelson was tackled. A Penalty Flag was thrown. Fort Valley State was penalized for a Personal Foul (Roughing The Passer). That critical mistake moved the ball to the 19-Yard Line. At 21.6 Seconds, Nelson made a rush of 9-Yards. Another Penalty Flag was thrown. Once again, Fort Valley State was penalized for a Personal Foul. This time, a Face Mask Violation was committed. The ball was placed on the 1-Yard Line. At 17.6 Seconds, Meeks kept the ball. He proceeded to make his way into the end zone. Teel’s Extra Point Kick was Good. At the end of the First Half, Central State leads Fort Valley State 13-10.

 

            After the Halftime Break, Fort Valley State received the ball first. The Wildcats proceeded to go three plays and out. On 4^th Down and 2 from its own 27-Yard Line, FVSU chose to Punt (13:33). The ball was downed on Central State’s 42-Yard Line. On 1^st Down and 10, Saffold moved the ball to Fort Valley’s 42-Yard Line (16-Yard Rush – 13:20). On 2^nd Down and 10, Meeks rushed the ball to 29-Yard Line (12:15). At 11:45, CSU’s Offense was penalized for a Holding Violation. That penalty gave the Marauders 1^st Down and 20. The ball was back on Fort Valley’s 39-Yard Line. On 3^rd Down and 22, the ball was on the 41-Yard Line. With the clock showing 10:01, Meeks was intercepted by Fort Valley’s Zacharius Anderson. Anderson was tackled on his team’s 37-Yard Line.  On 1^st Down and 10, Jarman kept the ball. He proceeded to run straight up the middle. Jarman’s 13-Yard Run ended at Midfield (50-Yard Line). From that point, Fort Valley would not do much else. On 4^th Down and 7, Fort Valley punted from Central State’s 47- Yard Line.

 

            After a great Punt was made, Central State’s Offense started on its own 9-Yard Line. CSU went three plays and out. On 4^th Down and 7 from its own 12-Yard Line, the Marauders had to Punt (5:55). With 4:30 remaining in the 3^rd Quarter, Fort Valley State faced 3^rd Down and 9 from Central State’s 42-Yard Line. Jarman completed a 24-Yard Pass to Lorenzo Smothers. From CSU’s 18-Yard Line, FVSU now had 1^st Down and 10. Jarman went on to throw 2-Incomplete Passes. At 3:37, it was 3^rd Down and 10. Jarman completed the 18-Yard Touchdown Pass to Smothers. The Extra Point Kick was Good. Fort Valley State leads Central State 17-13. With 2:45 on the clock, Central State had 2^nd Down and 1 on its own 44-Yard Line. Nelson rushed the ball to Midfield (50-Yard Line). On 1^st Down and 10, Meeks ran with the ball (on a Reverse Play). His 9-Yard Run enabled the Marauders to have 2^nd Down and 1. From Midfield, the ball would only get to the Wildcats’ 44-Yard Line. With 25.7 Seconds remaining in the 3^rd Quarter, Central State punted.

 

            Fort Valley State’s Offense started on its own 22-Yard Line. At the 20.5 Seconds mark, Smothers rushed the ball to Midfield (50-Yard Line). That 28-Yard Play closed the 3^rd Quarter. At the end of the 3^rd Quarter, Fort Valley State leads Central State 17-13. Before a 4^th Quarter Play could begin, FVSU was penalized for a False Start Violation. That penalty resulted in a loss of 5-Yards. On 1^st Down and 15, Jarman completed a pass to Smothers (14:54). Unfortunately, Smothers only picked up 2-Yards. A 2^nd Down Pass Completion obtained 3-Yards. On 3^rd Down and 10, the ball was back at Midfield. Jarman threw an Incomplete Pass (13:31). The Wildcats received a gift from CSU’s Defense. CSU was penalized for Pass Interference. The ball was placed on the Marauders’ 30-Yard Line. With 12:14 on the scoreboard, it was now 3^rd Down and 3 from CSU’s 23-Yard Line. Jarman completed a 23-Yard Touchdown Pass to Daniel Gordon. Once Juan Serna successfully converted the Extra Point Kick Attempt, Fort Valley’s lead became 24-13.

 

            Central State started on its own 21-Yard Line. On 1^st Down and 10, Meeks rushed the ball to the 31-Yard Line (12:04). On 2^nd Down and 10, Saffold picked up 13-Yards (11:30). He took the ball to the 44-Yard Line. After three plays, CSU was down to 4^th Down and 2. The ball was on Fort Valley State’s 48-Yard Line. The Marauders had no choice but to conduct a play. After the snap, Nelson took the hand-off. To his dismay, Nelson was unable to pick up the First Down (9:09). CSU turned the ball over on downs. FVSU went three plays and out. On 4^th Down and 9, Fort Valley chose to Punt from its own 49-Yard Line (6:59). The ball ended up being downed on Central State’s own 5-Yard Line. On 1^st Down and 10, Meeks completed a 22-Yard Pass to Darius Meadors (6:39). That play enabled the Marauders to have some breathing room. On 2^nd Down and 10, Meeks completed a pass to Bobby C. Gist III. That 17-Yard Play ended on the 44-Yard Line (6:05).

 

            All good things must come to an end! On 1^st Down and 10 from the 44-Yard Line, Meeks completed a 38-Yard Pass to Saffold. Saffold got to Fort Valley State’s 18-Yard Line. Then, something bad took place. Fort Valley’s Defensive Back Aaron Dore forced a fumble (5:25). Dore went on to recover the fumble too. Then, he proceeded to get the ball to his team’s 44-Yard Line. Dore’s play ended up not meaning anything. FVSU went three plays and out. On 4^th Down and 7, the ball was on the 47-Yard Line. The Wildcats punted the ball away (3:44). The ball was downed on Central State’s 15-Yard Line. On 1^st Down, Meeks ran the ball to the 21-Yard Line. When the ball was snapped again, Nelson took the ball from the 21-Yard Line to the 27-Yard Line (3:14). The First Down was picked up. On the ensuing 1^st Down and 10 Play, Meeks moved the ball to the 44-Yard Line (2:54). After a 2^nd Down and 10 Play resulted in Meeks gaining only 1-Yard, the Penalty Flags went flying. Fort Valley’s Defense had committed a Personal Foul (Face Mask – 2:20). The ball was placed on the Wildcats’ 41-Yard Line.

 

            At the 2:05 mark on 2^nd Down and 10, Meeks rushed the ball to the 24-Yard Line (17-Yard Rush). The next play ended with Meeks being sacked. The play cost Central State 10-Yards. The ball was on the 34-Yard Line. On 2^nd Down and 20, Meeks picked up 13-Yards (1:18). Then, guess what happened next? The defender who took Meeks down committed a Horse Collar Tackle. That Personal Foul placed the ball on the 11-Yard Line. A rush on 1^st Down (by Darian Nelson) ended with a loss of 5-Yards. On 2^nd Down and 15, Meeks completed the 16-Yard Touchdown Pass to Renon Lorenzo (56.6 Seconds). CSU had to make a 2-Point Conversion Attempt. Meeks kept the ball. Unfortunately, he was unable to reach the end zone. By the Final Score of 24-19, Central State University lost its Final Home Game of the 2017 College Football Season. Did you notice something? During this entire story, you never heard me mention the name of Central State’s Starting Quarterback TRENT MAYS. Due to injury, I was informed that Mays was unable to play. Although Lavon Meeks made some mistakes, he did an Overall Adequate Job. However, I feel the following way. If Trent Mays had played in this game, I honestly believe that THE Central State University would have been victorious.