VALDOSTA — Showdown Friday! That is what I have named tonight’s high school football action. Everywhere you look, from Class 6A to Class A, there are giant, monster, exciting football games that mean a lot. Several teams are beginning region play tonight, making this week critical. Nobody wants to start the region season off with a loss.

After a dismal night of high school football last Friday night (no game was close), we (high school football fans) are being rewarded with some great action tonight. Most of the eyes in this region and state will be on either Lowndes at Colquitt County or Camden County at Valdosta. But, if you are a true fan, don’t overlook the Early County at Brooks County game or the Thomasville at Cook game. Both might be interesting.

For me, my eyes will be all over the internet and Twitter following the action as I cover the Lowndes-Colquitt County game. I am kind of jealous I don’t get to see Camden County puts its 86-game region winning streak, a state record, on the line tonight against Valdosta as the Wildcats join Region 1 and leave behind that pitiful Region 3 they used to compete in.

Christian Malone grabbed the lead in the Pick ’em standings. On the year, Christian is 24-8 (4-1 last week) and I’m one-game back at 23-9 (3-2 last week). Tonight, we pick the four games listed above along with the Valwood, Clinch County and Lanier County match-ups.



Lowndes at Colquitt County

‘Whoa, Nellie’ was a phrase legendary play-by-play announcer Keith Jackson would use when introducing major college football match-ups. I thought the phrase was appropriate for introducing tonight’s match-up in Moultrie. The Vikings are looking to get revenge for their 34-7 loss to Colquitt County last year, while the Packers are looking to avoid their first 0-1 region start since losing to Lowndes in 2009.

I’ve been covering Lowndes for over a year now, and I have been saying all offseason and early this season that I still don’t know how good the Vikings are or can be. I know they have a good defense and their offense is putting up big numbers, but then again they haven’t played anyone at the caliber they will see inside region play.

Tonight, we will learn a lot about the Vikings. The question is, will the Vikings fold and be a middle of the road team or will they rise to the challenge and be one of the elite teams in Region 1? We will have that answer by 11 p.m. tonight.

Colquitt County has proven itself so far this season. The Packers opened against three-time Region 7-AAAAA (now 7-6A) champion North Gwinnett. Although the Packers lost, they did step out and play a tougher team than Luella, who the Vikings opened with this year.

The Packers have rebounded with victories over three playoff teams from a year ago, including Class 4A runner-up Lovejoy. Still, despite the tough schedule, I haven’t been impressed with what I’ve seen and heard from the Packers this season.

I think Lowndes is too motivated for tonight’s game, and the Vikings haven’t forgotten about last year’s 34-7 loss. I also think the Lowndes defense can shut down the Packers’ offense tonight, which hasn’t looked as dominant as it did last year when the Vikings visited Mack Tharpe Stadium.

Ed: Lowndes 28, Colquitt County 20

Christian: Lowndes 14, Colquitt 13



Camden County at Valdosta

Wildcats vs. Wildcats, juggernaut against juggernaut, the nation’s winningest high school football program against the team that owns the longest region winning streak in state history. However you want to describe this game, you can’t help but get jacked.

Can I get another ‘Whoa, Nellie?’

This game is massive and I can guarantee you that Bazemore-Hyder Stadium will be rocking tonight, just like it will be in two weeks when Lowndes comes over for the annual Winnersville Classic.

Valdosta has rebounded from its loss to Brooks County with wins over Crisp County and Newton, but then again, those teams are terrible. Camden County has a 4-0 record, again, with wins over Peachtree Ridge (which isn’t good this year), Vanguard (Fla.), Johnson and Beach. So basically, the Wildcats have played two high-caliber teams (Peachtree Ridge and Vanguard) that aren’t very good this year and two cupcake teams.

Personally, I think Brooks County could probably beat every team that Camden County has beaten this year. Tonight will, by far, be the toughest tests of the year for both Camden County and Valdosta.

The only question is, what team will make that extra play that will decide the football game?

Both teams have plenty of talent, although I think Camden County has more notable names on its roster than Valdosta does on its roster. The two coaches in this game are both studs, too.

Camden County’s Jeff Herron has won four state championships and Valdosta’s Rance Gillespie won a pair of titles at Peach County. Both are known for winning and being football guys who love to win but hate to lose even more.

I think both coaches will have their teams ready to play tonight, and I think one play might make the difference in this game.

Here is my final thought on this game (and it is the biggest one of them all): Camden County has an 86-game region winning streak going. Sure, the Wildcats used to play in a terribly soft region, but 86 games is a long time to never overlook one single opponent. Not once did the Wildcats ever go into a game and overlook somebody. When dealing with high schooll football players, that is impressive. Jeff Herron must know how to motivate his team.

Tonight, Camden County enters the toughest region in the state (and possibly the nation) looking to make a statement and to prove its region winning streak isn’t a sham. Keep in mind, the last time Camden County lost a region game was Oct. 8, 1999. I was 10 years old.

Ed: Camden County 31, Valdosta 23

Christian: Valdosta will put up a good fight, but Camden might be the best team in the state. Camden 24, Valdosta 17



Early County at Brooks County

There is no denying that Brooks County is one of the best teams in Class AA. Tonight, the Trojans face an up-and-coming team in Region 1-AA, the Early County Bobcats, who are expected to compete for the third or fourth seed out of the region and make the playoffs.

Regardless of how improved Early County is this season, I think Brooks County is too strong to be beat by a team not named Cook or Fitzgerald. I honestly think Cook is the only team in the state, at the Class AA level, that can beat the Trojans this season, although I am not saying the Hornets will.

Ed: Brooks County 33, Early County 17

Christian: Brooks County 28, Early 14



Thomasville at Cook

It has been a tough season and a half for the Thomasville Bulldogs. After finishing with a 6-5 record last year, the Bulldogs have limped out to a 1-3 record in 2012. It won’t get any easier for the Dogs tonight as they visit the Cook Hornets.

Cook is good, real good. I saw the Hornets play a few weeks ago on that Thursday night against Dougherty in Albany. K.J. Edwards had five rushing touchdowns, Grant Wilson carried the Hornets up and down the field with his legs, Ross Pickle played well at quarterback and the defense was suffocating. Sounds like a good team to me.

It is simple, the Hornets have allowed just 14 total points through three games this season and are averaging 38 points per game. Enough said.

Ed: Cook 38, Thomasville 14

Christian: Cook 24, Thomasville 7



Other picks

Valwood at Mount de Sales

Ed: Valwood 44, Mount de Sales 10

Christian: Valwood wins 35- 7

Clinch County at Telfair County

Ed: Clinch County 29, Telfair County 17

Christian: Clinch 38, Telfair 7

Turner County at Lanier County

Ed: Turner County 30, Lanier 21

Christian: Turner County 21, Lanier 17



Upset picks

Ed: Mill Creek over Norcross

Christian: Heritage over Gainesville