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BOXTOROW National Game of the Week
Albany State (5-3, 4-1) vs. Fort Valley State (3-6, 3-3)

Typically, when Albany State and Fort Valley State meet in the annual Fountain City Classic in Columbus, Ga. each year, braining rights are on the line.

But this year’s winner will earn the right to play Kentucky State in the SIAC championship game next week in Montgomery, Ala.

Since the East-West format was established in 2011, enabling the championship game, Albany State has represented the East in four of the five games.  Fort Valley played in the game in 2012.

ASU stared the season 1-3, but has won its last four games.  The offense is led by quarterback Caleb Edmonds who is completing 57 percent of his passes for 1,711 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.  He has also rushed for 339 yards and five touchdowns.

The running game is not where it has been in year’s past.  Two-time SIAC Offensive Player of the Year running back Jarvis Small has only rushed for 235 yards this year.  He has been slowed all year by a high ankle sprain.  Edmonds leads the team in rushing and McKinley Hamber is averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

The Golden Rams are their usual stout selves on defense.  They rank second in the conference in total defense (265.8), first in rush defense (80.6) and second in points allowed per game (17.6).  The defense is anchored by defensive lineman Grover Stewart who has 33 tackles (23 solo), 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

It is a wonder that Fort Valley State is even in the position it’s in with a losing record and a 3-3 conference mark.  But the SIAC chooses to count the division record as opposed to the overall conference record which the Wildcats have a 3-1 mark.

FVSU is in the bottom half of almost every statistical category.  They are however an opportunistic team, leading the conference in interceptions (14), including returning two for touchdowns and are second in takeaways (22).  The Wildcats are also efficient in the red zone, having converted 17-of-22 times, including 14 touchdowns.  Quarterback Demontay Jones has been inconsistent and has completed 49 percent of his passes for 1,002 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Defensive back Brian Walker has been the big bright spot on defense recording six interceptions, 57 tackles (33 solo) and 11.5 tackles for loss.

While this looks like a mismatch on paper, all bets are off in this rivalry game that could attract 20,000 fans.  The Golden Rams won last year’s game 21-17.

Fort Valley State wins if… they can force the Golden Rams into turnovers and get good play from Jones through the air.

Albany State wins if… they protect the football (only seven turnovers all season) and run its offense.