VALDOSTA —
Lowndes football team won’t take the field this Friday night. The Vikings open their regular season Aug. 31 against Luella.
With the extra week to ready for the upcoming season, the Vikings aren’t beginning their preparations for the Luella Lions, just yet. Instead, the Vikings are using this week to focus on getting better and improving themselves before turning their attention towards Luella next week.
“This is going to be a week of no opponent,” Lowndes head coach Randy McPherson said. “It is kind of back to a modified camp schedule. Luella will start this weekend.”
Focusing on themselves won’t be an issue, either, said McPherson, who credited his team with a hard work ethic throughout practices.
“This group we got here, we haven’t had any trouble practicing well,” McPherson said. “I don’t anticipate any problems. They really want to be good.”
Heavy rain forecasted for the Valdosta and Lowndes County area for much of the week could alter the Vikings’ practice schedule. When speaking with the Times before Monday’s practice, McPherson said the team isn’t worried about rain, but rather lightning.
“Rain doesn’t bother us, lightning does,” McPherson said.
If severe weather forces the Vikings off the field this week, they will practice in the gymnasium, according to McPherson.
The Vikings’ week of preparation follows a 52-0 blow out victory of Thomasville in the preseason exhibition game on Friday at Martin Stadium. Looking back at the game film, McPherson said he liked the effort of his team, much like he did when he stood on the field following the win.
“We played hard,” McPherson said. “I thought it looked like that from the sideline. After looking at the tape, it was confirmed.”
McPherson said the Vikings made a lot of mistakes in the victory, which featured the varsity playing in the first half and the junior varsity in the second half. Regardless, the game was a good start to the season, said McPherson.
The Vikings featured a two-quarterback system during the varsity half Friday night. Senior Alex Stephenson and junior Seth Carlo rotated on each series. Carlo finished the game 3 of 6 for 95 yards with a touchdown and interception. Stephenson was 0 for 1 passing.
“I thought both quarterbacks played OK,” McPherson said. “What we’re planning on doing right now is getting both of them better. That is where we’re at. I know everybody wants to know who the quarterback is going to be, but we are working two quarterbacks, and about five running backs. Man, we are just trying to get better.”
In Friday’s scrimmage, Lowndes played a stable of running backs, something Viking fans have come accustomed to seeing in recent years. This season won’t be any different.
“We’ve always used a lot of running backs, and I think this year is going to be no exception,” McPherson said.
Local Sports
Related Photos
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Pat Gallagher | The Valdosta Daily Times Lowndes’ Nick Burgman breaks away for a touchdown after catching a 65-yard pass during Fridays’ 52-0 preseason win over Thomasville at Martin Stadium.
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Pat Gallagher | The Valdosta Daily Times Lowndes High’s running back Tiquan Lang (2) makes a long run down field for serious yardage as a Thomasville player closes in during the preseason scrimmage at Martin Stadium Friday evening.
Discussion
Vikings not focused on Luella
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The Blazers (33-17) dropped their first game of the tournament Thursday, falling to Delta State 4-2 at UT Baseball Stadium.
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Vikings commit 4 errors, fall to Roswell, 5-2
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