VALDOSTA —
The high school football regular season kicks off Friday night around the state of Georgia. Several local area teams are idle this week, including Lowndes and Valdosta. Four local area teams are in action, along with Colquitt County and Camden County, both of whom are playing in the Corky Kell Classic in the Georgia Dome.
Clinch County Panthers (0-0) at Brooks County Trojans (0-0)
Friday’s meeting will be the first between the two schools since 2005, when the Trojans escaped with a narrow 7-6 victory. Brooks County will rely heavily on the play of Malcolm Parrish, while Clinch County will turn to several young players in key positions. Both teams will run the spread offense Friday night, although Panthers quarterback James Core may line up under center more often than Clinch quarterbacks have recently.
Atkinson County Rebels (0-0) at Lanier County Bulldogs (0-0)
For the second week in a row, the Bulldogs of Lanier County welcome an opponent from a larger classification. Like their scrimmage, the Bulldogs are hoping to secure a win. Lanier County beat Pelham 14-7 last Friday night, giving the Bulldogs momentum going into this week’s regular season opener against Atkinson County. Lanier County owns a five-game winning streak against the Rebels, including a 34-20 win last season.
Windsor Academy Knights (0-0) at Valwood Valiants (0-0)
Valwood cruised through Tiftarea last week in its preseason scrimmage. The Valiants should have no problem cruising through the Knights this week. Windsor Academy lacks much size and speed, giving Valwood plenty of opportunities for big plays. Expect senior running back Khary Paige to have a big night, along with playmaking wide receiver Rashad Mathis, who will be the go-to target for quarterback Jake Lastinger.
Colquitt County Packers (0-0) vs. North Gwinnett Bulldogs (0-0)
Saturday’s game in the Georgia Dome will be a rematch of last year’s second round playoff game in Gwinnett. The Packers beat North Gwinnett 17-7 in the game and then defeated Camden County 34-33 to appear in the state semifinals, where they fell to Grayson. Colquitt County enters this week’s matchup following a last-minute loss to Norcross in last week’s preseason scrimmage. The Packers and Camden County are the only teams from South Georgia participating in the Corky Kell Classic. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
Camden County Wildcats (0-0) vs. Peachtree Ridge Lions (0-0)
Guaranteed to face tougher competition in 2012, Camden County starts the season off with a tough test from Region 7-AAAAAA. Losers in the first round last year, the Lions are poised for a big year in 2012 and will face the difficult challenge of shutting down Camden County’s deep offensive unit that features Georgia commitments Brice Ramsey and J.J. Green. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Georgia Dome.
Local Sports
Friday night previews
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Gillespie, McPherson pleased with spring practices
Valdosta’s Rance Gillespie and Lowndes’ Randy McPherson both think their football teams got better during the recent 10 days of spring practice.
Then again, both coaches know their teams have a ways to go before the start of the football season. -
Signing day at VHS
It was signing day galore at Valdosta High School Wednesday.
Six student-athletes signed national letter of intents to compete at the next level, while two VHS athletes both signed academic scholarships to Division I universities. -
Powell signs with Shorter
Robert Powell, a member of the basketball team on South Georgia State College’s Waycross Campus, has signed a letter of intent to continue his basketball career at Shorter University in Rome.
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Sending the Blazers off
The Valdosta State softball team made the long journey to Salem, Va. Tuesday, leaving Valdosta at 10:30 a.m. with devoted fans cheering them out of the parking lot.
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All-Region teams announced
Lowndes was one win away from a trip to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals, and the success by the Vikings this season showed when the All-Region 1 baseball teams were announced Monday.
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Lowndes tennis dominates
Lowndes’ tennis team dominated the All-Region 1 teams, with coach Heath Phelps garnering Coach of the Year honors on both the girls’ and boys’ side.
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Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby a success
The 13th annual Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby held May 11 drew 150 children from ages 3 to 15 who competed for trophies while learning how to fish.
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Valdosta's Alakulppi ties for 2nd at state
Valdosta freshman golfer Luukas Alakulppi fired a 71 to finish in a tie for second at the Class AAAAAAA state golf tournament in Tifton.
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Brooks County's Parrish in Rivals Top 100
Brooks County rising senior Malkolm Parrish is ranked the 73rd best high school football prospect in the nation, according to the release of the Rivals.com Top 100.
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Summer camp information
VSU baseball camp coming soon
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Gillespie, McPherson pleased with spring practices
