Virginia State University’s football season falls into the category, “Who would have thought?”

Who would have thought a converted linebacker would transform into a touchdown scoring machine?

Who would have thought the son of a former coach would spearhead a bone-rattling defense?

Who would have thought, after a 0-2 start, the Trojans would enjoy the best season ever?

And who would have thought that, on Thanksgiving weekend, excited VSU fans would be making travel plans for northeast Pennsylvania?

Exceeding all expectations, coach Latrell Scott’s squad is headed to Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania Saturday for the second round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs.

It marks VSU’s fourth straight week of Russian roulette, gridiron style.

The Trojans had to defeat Virginia Union University to win the CIAA North Division. The Trojans then had to upset

Winston-Salem State University for the CIAA championship title, VSU’s first since 1996.

Last week, VSU whipped Long Island University-Post, 28-17, at Rogers Stadium in Ettrick in its first-ever NCAA contest.

Story lines abound, beginning with Kavon Bellamy. After starting at linebacker as a freshman, Bellamy has made a powerful transition to tailback.

More bulldozer than ballerina, the pile-driving Bellamy churned out 131 yards on 29 carries against Long Island, with

his 11th and 12th touchdowns. The Hampton native has 922 yards on 229 carries overall.

In a strange twist, Bellamy may still be playing defense if not for a fracas prior to last year’s CIAA title game. VSU’s Lamont Britt, heir apparent to become the starting tailback this season, was suspended following an ugly incident in which he pleaded guilty to simple assault.

Still, to maintain his role as top carrier, Bellamy has outshined transfer Trey Johnson, a former starter at West Virginia,

and Earl Hughes, among the most prodigious rushers in state high school history.

Then there is Andrew Faison Jr., son of former Trojans coach Andrew Faison Sr., who was 58-53 in 11 seasons prior to Scott’s arrival.

Some may have bitterly quit, or transferred, after seeing their father sent packing as coach. But showing high character, Faison Jr. dug in and became a team leader, on and off the field.

The 205-pound senior linebacker led with 11 tackles against Long Island and has 62 stops for the season. Faison Sr. is now assistant coach at Delaware State University.

Against Long Island, Tarian Ayres returned to quarterback after being suspended for the CIAA title game because of his Nov. 9 alcohol-related driving offense.

Niko Johnson filled in admirably as quarterback for VSU’s victory over Winston-Salem State.

Ayres was 9-for-21 passing, including an 82-yarder to Jaivon Smallwood. Ayres also ran for the Trojans’ first touchdown himself.

It was fitting Scott was forgiving of Ayres. If not for VSU giving Scott a second chance, who knows if any of this would ever have happened?

In 2010, Scott resigned as University of Richmond’s coach following a charge of driving under the influence.

Unlike air-oriented Long Island, Bloomsburg travels primarily via land with Eddie Mateo, who has 23 rushing touchdowns.

Steven Laurino, Long Island’s touted passer, may have recurring nightmares from VSU’s prickly defense — an itch he

couldn’t scratch. Laurino was beleaguered 29 for 58 for 260 yards, with three interceptions and three sackings.

In the third period, Laurino was flipped like a pancake on a quarterback sneak to the VSU 1-yard line. He wasn’t the same after. That topsy-turvy play also resulted in a 15-yard Long Island chop block penalty and was the turning point of the afternoon as the visitors failed to score.

The winner of the VSU-Bloomsburg game will play the Region final Dec. 6 against the survivor of the Concord (W.Va.)

against West Chester (Pa.) matchup.

VSU would travel to Concord, but could play at home against West Chester.

The NCAA semifinals are Dec. 13, while the championship is Dec. 20 in Kansas City, Mo.