VALDOSTA — Valdosta High is back in the state top 10, and Wildcat Nation is in good spirits after two victories to start the season.
But the head Wildcat remains cautious.
“We’ve won two games, and 2-0 is good, but it’s just a start,” Valdosta head coach Rick Tomberlin said. “We’ve still got a lot of football left to play, and we still have to keep it in perspective.
“This is just two steps. We beat Jordan and we beat Collins Hill. We have to do this one step at a time. We can’t feel too good about things until we get to week 10 or 11 and get into the playoffs. That’s where we want to be.”
Valdosta will face another tough test Friday, when it travels to metro Atlanta power Brookwood for an 8 p.m. game.
Valdosta is ranked No. 9 in this week’s Class AAAAA football poll. Not bad for a team that only won one game last season.
“It’s nice to get that recognition,” Tomberlin said. “I am excited, and thrilled, but a lot of times, that can be motivation for somebody else. Still, I’d rather be ranked than not ranked.
“Of course, the only (poll) that matters is the last one, and that’s the one we want to be ranked high in.”
Voters around the state have recognized the quality of the Wildcats’ play in wins over Jordan (23-21) and Collins Hill (31-0), as well as their 41-13 scrimmage win over Bainbridge. Last week, Jordan upset the No. 1 team in Utah, Bingham, 36-35. The Beetdiggers are now ranked No. 8 in the prepnation.com Midlands regional poll.
“We’ve played two good opponents,” Tomberlin said. “Jordan just beat the defending state champions in Utah last Friday. They are a very good team. And I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Collins Hill made the playoffs. I think they’re good enough. Last year, Collins Hill beat one of the state champions (Peachtree Ridge).
“Now we get Brookwood this week, which had a chance to beat the other state champion (Roswell) the first week of the season. We play a tough non-region schedule. There’s no question about that.”
Last week, Valdosta won 31-0 behind an offense that moved the ball well (the Wildcats only punted once all game) and a defense that was pretty much immovable (Collins Hill had 17 carries for minus-12 yards). Leading rusher Marcus McNair averaged 7.7 yards per carry while rushing for 92 yards, and teammate David Arnold averaged 5.8. Quarterback Michael Turner completed 67 percent of his passes (8-for-12), though they only went for 68 yards. Defensive backs Sidney Bivins and Dhahrod Hall each picked off a pass.
“A great effort,” Tomberlin said. “I thought our effort was outstanding. I thought we were very physical on both sides of the ball. I was real proud of the fact we protected the ball. We didn’t have a fumble or an interception. We had a lot of knockdown blocks and big hits. I thought our defense played lights out after the first series.”
For the most part, the Wildcats remain healthy. Reserve running back Vashun Johnson missed the Collins Hill game with a leg injury, but he is the only injured Valdosta player right now.
“We’re healthy right now, and that’s a big plus,” Tomberlin said.
On Tuesday, the Wildcats practiced in the rain. Wednesday, with lightning in the area, they were forced to end practice early.
“I think we needed this, from the standpoint that we have not worked in a lot of rain,” Tomberlin said. “I think you have to work with that wet ball. It forces you to focus a little bit, and gets you ready for if you have to play in the elements. We’ll eventually have to play in the rain.”
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Wildcats 2-0, now ranked
No. 9 Valdosta getting ready for Brookwood
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