VALDOSTA — In Lowndes’ wing-T offense, opponents never know where the rush will come from, or who will be carrying the ball.
One thing is for certain, though. When Darriet Perry gets the ball in his hands, special things are quite capable of happening.
Perry has started at wingback for Lowndes for four years, becoming one of South Georgia’s top players and one of the state’s top runners.
“He’s blessed with a lot of strength and speed, and couple that with hard work,” Lowndes head coach Randy McPherson said. “He’s one of hardest-working kids we have, and he wants to do well.”
Perry has played and practiced hard early on at Lowndes, rushing for 805 yards his freshman season, 749 his sophomore year and 604 in 2006.
This season, he is continuing that trend and assaulting the Vikings’ career rushing record, needing just 10 more yards to eclipse former teammate Lynn Williams.
“The record is great, but right now I’m about winning, and not very much worried about the record,” Perry said.
Lowndes’ star wingback has plenty to worry about as far as winning goes, as the Vikings host the other undefeated Region 1-AAAAA team, rival Valdosta, on Friday.
The Wildcats will bring a tough defense, sure to hold an offense in check and in need of a star to step up.
Perry has been that star, giving opposing defenses a hard time throughout 40 wins, two region titles and two state championships in four years.
If one mentions those accolades to Perry, he can’t shift the spotlight off himself fast enough.
“For one, the Lord has been with me,” Perry said. “And, of course, my teammates.”
As he reaches record heights at Lowndes, Perry constantly pushes the stats, championships and the half dozen or so Division I colleges desiring his services, taking the attitude of his coach — team first and focus on the next game.
As a running back at Lowndes, that attitude is a requirement, not an option. Perry is one of four key runners this year in the starting lineup.
The Vikings’ offense uses two wingbacks, a fullback and even gets speedy quarterback Khary Franklin involved in the running game. Rushes can come from any one of the four players, and from any direction out of the backfield.
Rather than griping about the carries being taken away, Perry is appreciative of the fact that he is in such a varying offense when it comes to the running game.
“It’s not been a problem,” Perry said. “We believe in each other, and the wing-T is like a trick offense, you never know who’s going to run.”
While Perry is about to stand above the rest in the record books, he stands even with every other running back, receiver, quarterback and other fellow teammates when he pulls on the scarlet jersey, and that’s the way he prefers it.
“He’s a total team player,” McPherson said. “He works hard, is a ‘yes sir, no sir’ guy. He’s great in the classroom, and represents the school very well.”
Local Sports
Perry nearing LHS record
- Local Sports
-
-
Lowndes junior varsity tennis earns two wins
Lowndes High tennis opened up the 2012 season with a JV double-header in Waycross Wednesday afternoon
-
Lady Packers beat Lowndes, 55-48
The Colquitt County Lady Packers handed the Lowndes Vikettes a second straight loss Tuesday night, 55-48.
Jamesia Jones led Lowndes with 10 points, while Courtne Washington had nine. Tasia Brown finished with eight. -
Braves unveil another alternate home uniform
Hank Aaron recognized the look. Just not the feel.
The Atlanta Braves unveiled a new alternate home uniform Monday that is based on the attire worn when the team moved from Milwaukee in 1966, with Aaron as its biggest star. -
Valdosta native Garland named to Armstrong Atlantic HOF
Armstrong Atlantic State University has announced its latest induction class for the Armstrong Atlantic State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Among the six inductees and one Service Citation award winner is Valdosta native Nikki Garland, who ran cross county and track and field with the Pirates.
-
Freeman, Trojans finalize '12 schedule
The Brooks County Trojans’ football motto is to ‘bring the hammer’ each and every Friday night.
Well, the Trojans now know exactly who they will have to bring that hammer to this upcoming season, as head coach Maurice Freeman recently finalized Brooks County’s 2012 football schedule. -
New York wins Super Bowl
Eli Manning and the Giants one-upped Tom Brady and the Patriots again, coming back with a last-minute touchdown to beat New England 21-17 Sunday night for New York’s fourth Super Bowl title.
- Super Bowl boosts Indy’s image
-
Blazer softball sweeps Nova Southeastern
On Super Bowl Sunday, Valdosta State showed why it has been one of the super teams in the south region for years now.
-
Blazers fall to Saints
Just 24 hours after earning an impressive opening day victory, the Valdosta State baseball team struggled to find a rhythm against North Georgia, as the Blazers fell to the Saints 8-3.
North Georgia pitcher Blake Hobby was a major factor for VSU’s struggles. The senior right-hander held the Blazers to just one run on four hits across his eight innings of work on the hill. -
Tift County wins region wrestling championship
Tift County won the Region 1-AAAAA traditional wrestling championship on Saturday at Lowndes High School.
Tift had three individual region champions, had wrestlers place in the top three in 13 of the 14 weight classes and qualified wrestlers for next weekend’s sectional tournament in all 14 weight classes. Tift earned 184 team points, two points more than second-place Lowndes. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
Lowndes junior varsity tennis earns two wins
