Edwards says he's good to go against Richmond

Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards is feeling more like himself this week and that will present a double-edged challenge for Richmond in the quarterfinal FCS playoff game Saturday night.

Unlike last Saturday when Edwards' tender knee eliminated any designed running plays for the quarterback against S.C. State, the playbook will be wide open against the Spiders.

"We get to run any play in the offense," said Edwards, who added he has run and made cuts at practice this week with no problem.

"I didn't think too much about (my knee) last week because we didn't call any designed runs. One time during the game a big hole opened and I took off and it didn't bother my knee. After that, I told the coaches I could run any time I needed to."

The Richmond defense presents a formidable challenge. The Spiders have allowed more than 20 points just three times in 12 games this season. Richmond has scored 86 points off the 25 turnovers produced by the defense this season.

Last year, Edwards threw five interceptions in a playoff loss to the Spiders.

"They're hard-nosed and they're going to get after the ball," Edwards said. "They're going to be in the spots where they're supposed to be. It's going to be tough."

On a different matter, Edwards wanted to make clear this week that he has a close relationship with his father, Freddie, who is serving time in a South Carolina prison. Freddie Edwards was convicted of killing a man during his son's freshman season but the father and son have maintained contact. Edwards visits his father when he returns home to Greenwood, S.C.
-- Ron Green Jr.