VALDOSTA — Valdosta High had another strong showing on Signing Day, signing eight football players to college letters-of-intent.
Valdosta has signed a combined 29 players to letters-of-intent in the past three years, and could have a couple more players sign from this senior class.
“We’re proud of these guys, and pleased they are getting this opportunity to further their education and continue to play football,” Valdosta assistant coach Welton Coffey said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for these young men, and we hope they take advantage of it.”
Offensive lineman Jim Martin signed with Georgia Southern. Martin, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound All-Region left tackle, said he feels like he’ll fit in well at Georgia Southern. The Eagles are transitioning from the triple option offense they’ve run for many years to a more pass-oriented offense under new head coach Brian Van Gorder.
“Coach Van Gorder said they are going to use a lot of the same blocking schemes we used here,” Martin said. “They need some taller tackles with their new offense. It’s a big deal to me to go to Georgia Southern. They have a great history, with all of their national championships, and I look forward to playing for them.”
West Georgia came down to Valdosta and signed two Wildcat players. Wide receiver Steve Dawson, an honorable mention All-State selection, and offensive lineman Andrew DeLong, who was second-team All-Region this season, are both going to play for the Wolves.
Dawson caught 37 passes for 512 yards this season, and also returned kicks and punts for the Wildcats. He also rushed for 80 yards on six carries, and threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to teammate Travis Hall for the winning score against Tift County. Simply put, he was a do-it-all player, and West Georgia hopes to take advantage of his versatility.
“They said I’ll be a Reggie Bush type of (versatile) player for them,” Dawson said. “I’ll be a receiver, kick returner, punt returner, and maybe run it some. I can’t wait to play for them.
“I had several schools interested in me, but I signed with West Georgia because they offered me the best deal. It’s hard to turn down a full ride to a program like theirs.”
Defensive tackle Dedrick Miley, who was a second-team All-Region player this year, signed with Tennessee Tech.
“I’m excited about the chance to play for Tennessee Tech,” Miley said. “They said they think I can be a good player for them. It means a lot to me to be going to college, and being able to play football.”
Brandon Wrice, who caught eight passes for 183 yards this year for the Wildcats, earning second-team All-Region honors at tight end, signed with Fort Valley State. He will be a receiver and will remain a Wildcat.
“I’m still going to be a Wildcat. It will be a Fort Valley Wildcat instead of a Valdosta Wildcat, but it’s still the Wildcats,” Wrice said. “I’m excited about going to play for Fort Valley.”
Strong safety Jarvis Stokes and defensive lineman Keir Moore will remain teammates a little longer. Stokes and Moore signed with Shaw University. At Shaw, they will also be reunited with former Valdosta players Anthony Spates and Latavius Patterson.
“They know that we play good football at Valdosta,” Moore said. “It will be great to play with Jarvis, and with Anthony and Latavius.”
“I’m glad Keir’s going up there with me, so I’ll know somebody on the team,” Stokes said. “Now they’ll have four Wildcats on the team.”
Moore’s versatility will continue to be tested. As a sophomore, he was a fullback, then played tight end as a junior and was an All-Region defensive tackle as a senior. Now Shaw plans to use him at linebacker.
“Wherever they put me, I’ll play. I just like being on the field,” Moore said. “They may try me at running back, too.”
Wide receiver Antonio Bellamy, who caught nine passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, but also had two long touchdown catches called back, will be going to Edward Waters College.
“It’s great to have a chance to play in college,” Bellamy said. “Not everyone gets a chance. I didn’t know if I would after I got injured (early in the season), but when Edward Waters saw my highlight tape, they wanted me, and I’m glad.”
Some of Valdosta’s signees have not played their final games at the Wildcats’ hallowed Cleveland Field after all. Valdosta State also plays their home games at Cleveland Field, and both West Georgia and Fort Valley State are scheduled to play at VSU soon (Fort Valley this year, West Georgia in 2007). Also, Edward Waters plays a game there next season.
“That’s going to be great for me and Andrew, coming back to play here,” Dawson said. “That is a special place for all of us Wildcats.”
“I can’t wait to come back and play there,” Wrice said. “I might have to bang my helmet on the tin one more time.”
Local Sports
Valdosta signs eight
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VSU teams hosting summer camps
The national champion Valdosta State softball team will host two separate summer camps this summer, as well as weekly clinics throughout the summer.
The two summer camps will be held on June 11-13 and July 9-11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The camps will cost $100 each. -
David Dean Youth Camp begins next week
The David Dean Youth Football Camp is quickly approaching.
The fourth annual camp will be held May 29-June 1 at the Athletic Fieldhouse off Mary Street. -
National champion head coach rewarded with new truck
National champion head coach rewarded with new truck Valdosta State head softball coach Thomas Macera was rewarded with a new Toyota Tacoma from Valdosta Toyota on Wednesday for his team’s 4-1 victory over the University of California-San Diego in the Division II Softball National Championship Game.
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Valwood’s Savino, Elliott named All-State soccer
Two Valwood boys’ soccer players have been named to the GISA Class AA All-State team.
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All-American again
Go ahead and add another award to resume of this year’s Valdosta State softball team.
Between conference player of the week awards, a national player of the week award, All-Conference and All-Region honors and four All-American awards, the national champion Blazers had plenty of individuals honored for performances throughout the season, which ultimately led to VSU’s first ever softball national title. -
Local area events coming soon
Several local area runs will take place in the coming weeks.
Monday, May 28, there will be a Memorial Day 5K, which will begin at 8 a.m. from the VECA School located on the corner of Azalea Drive and College Street. -
Tech bound
Donjahae Jones gets it done in the classroom and on the track.
One of the top students in her class, and one of the top track and field competitors in the state, Jones will be taking her talents to the Division I level after she signed a track and field scholarship with Georgia Tech on Tuesday. -
Blazers garner All-Region honors
Two Valdosta State baseball players have been named All-South Region while a third has garnered Academic All-Region, according to announcements made by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and the Collegiate Sports Information Director's of America (CoSIDA) this week.
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Lowndes' Phelps named tennis Coach of the Year
Lowndes tennis coach Heath Phelps has been named the Region 1-AAAAA girls’ and boys’ tennis Coach of the Year, after he guided both teams to region championships.
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Wildcats close spring practice
VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Wildcats put their finishing touches on spring practice Saturday night with the playing of their annual spring game at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
No score was kept in the game, but the Wildcats did play best-on-best, pitting the starting offense against the starting defense. - More Local Sports Headlines
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VSU teams hosting summer camps
