VALDOSTA — This week is one of the best weeks of the entire year. High school football teams officially begin fall camp Wednesday.

The start of camps will mark the new Georgia High School Association mandated five-day acclimation period before teams can begin full-contact drills. But still, Wednesday is the day that all high school football fans have been waiting for — practice officially beginning.

Soon, teams will be scrimmaging (Aug. 17) and then kicking off the season the weekend of Aug. 24 or Aug. 31. So good luck to all your teams this season and may the wins be plentiful for whoever you root on.

With camps starting this week, here are some notes I have going into the season and some preseason awards and favorites.



Nobody is talking about the Vikings

The newly realigned Region 1-AAAAAA features the likes of Camden County, Colquitt County, Lowndes and Valdosta along with up-and-comers Coffee, Tift County and Brunswick. Once again, Region 1 is going to prove to be the toughest region in the state.

This offseason, there has been a lot of hype and talk surrounding Camden County, Colquitt County and Valdosta as the teams to beat in Region 1-AAAAAA. Has everyone forgotten about the Lowndes Vikings?

Coming off an 8-4 season last year, the Vikings have all of sudden fallen off people’s radar as a powerhouse. Yes, Valdosta won the region last season, Camden County never loses and Colquitt County seems like they are just naturally built for the postseason under Rush Propst. But seriously, I am shocked nobody is talking about the Vikings as much as the other big three.

For those fans that aren’t talking about the Vikings, you might regret overlooking the Plowboys once the season begins. If I were a fan, I wouldn’t overlook any team in Region 1-AAAAAA, especially with the solid group of head coaches that call this region home.

Heck, I think Coffee has as good of a shot to contend in the region.

I’m not saying the Vikings are going to win the region, but I’m not saying they aren’t either. I just find it weird that Lowndes is getting little hype and little talk this offseason, especially on certain message boards. But if you ask the Lowndes coaching staff, they are probably just fine with the talk not being on them right now.



Valdosta aiming at another region title

The 2011 season was a special one for the Valdosta Wildcats. They won their first region championship since 2003 and secured their first victory over crosstown rival Lowndes in seven years.

But the region champion ’Cats were ousted from the playoffs in the first round by four-seeded Newnan. A year earlier, Valdosta failed to win the region but made it to the quarterfinals.

Now Valdosta fans are talking about winning another region title and winning state. Wildcat fans have longed for another state championship and many, including myself, believe Rance Gillespie is the guy to deliver it for the school. But is this the year?

The Wildcats are loaded on the offensive side of the ball. Eight of 11 starters return, including quarterback Shelby Wilkes and last year’s two big name running backs (Malcolm Joseph and Nelson Herring).

Defensively, question marks are all over the field. With only three starters returning on that side of the ball, Gillespie and defensive coordinator Alan Rodemaker have their work cut out for them. But if the Wildcats can find some playmakers on the defensive side, and if they can stay healthy, this could be a year to remember for the Wildcats. At least their fans hope.



Brooks and Cook favorites in 1-AA

Region 1-AA is one of the toughest regions in all of Class AA. In a region where no team has repeated as champions since Americus (which closed its doors in 2003) managed the feat in 2001 and 2002. Since the Panthers’ repeat, six different teams have won the region, including the Trojans (2005, 2008) and Hornets (2010).

With Fitzgerald coming off a region championship last season, and then losing their head coach to Coffee, it looks like this year could be the Trojans or the Hornets because Thomasville seems as it will be too young.

In Quitman, junior quarterback Malcolm Parrish will carry the load offensively, and will then play cornerback for the team. If Parrish can stay healthy, the Trojans could be in good shape. The only thing that should concern Trojans fans is what happens if Parrish is slowed down this season.

In Adel, head coach Ken Cofer says he is excited about his football team this season, even though they will be young on the defensive side of the football. Despite the youth, Cofer said the defense will be the strength of the team this season, much like it was during the team’s 2010 region championship season. The only reason that team didn’t win the championship was because they ran into the University of Buford.

This season, the Hornets return a good group of players, minus all-state quarterback Zack Folsom. Instead, head coach Ken Cofer will turn to senior Ross Pickle, who actually played middle linebacker the past two seasons.

Cook’s large receiver last season, Travin Henry, is now at Georgia Tech, but a quality group returns. Senior Zak Williams will lead the corp. In 2011, Williams caught 50 passes for 597 yards and 4 touchdowns. An elusive wide receiver, Williams could turn into a dominating force this season. The Hornets also return four offensive line starters. Watch out for the Hornets.

Regardless of who wins this season, the winner could have the fast-track to the state championship as this region will likely be the toughest AA region in the entire state.



Henderson era at Valwood

After going from 1-9 in 2009 to nine wins in 2010, the Valwood Valiants entered last season with high expectations of winning a state championship. Unfortunately for the Valiants, they lost in the Quarterfinals to Edmund Burke, who happens to be on the Valwood schedule this season.

Now with former Valdosta assistant Ashley Henderson calling the shots — Brannon Tidwell was hired as a head coach in South Carolina — the Valiants are once again favorites to win the GISA Class AA state championship this season.

For a small private school that plays in front of 1,000 fans at home, the Valiants have a lot of pressure on them this season. With one Division I commit already on the team (lineman Aulden Bynum committed to Georgia), several more are on the team and are expected to make plays this season, like receiver Rashad Mathis.

Known for being a running team last season, expect Henderson to open up the offensive a little bit more this season and allow quarterback Jake Lastinger the ability to look down the field for a wide open receiver. If Lastinger can find his guys, and the defense can hold, I don’t find many reasons why the Valiants can be state champions. But I guess that’s why they play the games.



Early favorite to win a GHSA state title: Region 1-AAAAAA

Region 1-AAAAAA might be the toughest region in the state. It might actually be harder to win this region than the state championship. Any team that makes the top 4 in this region will be a tough matchup for any team, in any round, in the state playoffs. So, I like any team that comes out of this region as favorites to win the state title.



Player to watch: Cook’s Zak Williams

Travin Henry stole a lot of the headlines and touchdown passes for the Cook Hornets last season. Williams was still able to haul in 50 passes. Williams could be in for a breakout season and could help lead the Hornets to the region championship.



Ed’s column appears in a Monday edition of the Times each month. The ‘Friday Night Fever’ Column will return Aug. 24. Follow Ed on Twitter for up-to-date information and scores at @Ed_Hooper.