VALDOSTA — Valdosta High dominated its preseason football game, routing Worth County 46-7 at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium Friday night.
New starting quarterback Dashay March ran for 132 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, running back Reggie McQueen added 81 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, and the Wildcats’ defense held Worth without an offensive score in the win. The Rams managed just 44 yards rushing on 31 carries, and had 99 yards of total offense.
Five different Wildcats scored touchdowns Friday night.
Valdosta’s first score came late in the first quarter. The Wildcats got the ball when defensive tackle Davion Baynard recovered a fumble at the Rams’ 45. Two plays later, March took the snap, faked a handoff and went left. The junior quarterback turned the corner and turned on his speed, racing untouched into the end zone for a touchdown. Zach Wang’s extra point gave the Wildcats a 7-0 lead with 1:11 left in the first quarter.
The Wildcats doubled their lead less than a minute later. On the first play from scrimmage after VHS’ touchdown, the Wildcats recovered another fumble, and took over at the Rams’ 30.
McQueen went right for 15 yards on the first play, then took another handoff on the following play and went left. McQueen turned the corner and raced past a defender and into the end zone for the 15-yard score, making it 14-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Worth’s Ellis Anderson caught the ball, found room to run, and raced down the field for the touchdown, cutting the ‘Cats lead in half, 14-7. But that would be Worth’s only score Friday night.
With 5:57 left in the first half, lightning appeared in the sky, and the players went to the locker room. The delay lasted nearly an hour.
When they returned, a Valdosta drive ended with a 31-yard field goal by Wang, making it 17-7.
On the next play from scrimmage, Worth quarterback Rodney Farley tried to roll right, but had the ball knocked away. Defensive end Jay Rome scooped up the loose ball and raced 18 yards for a touchdown. On the conversion, the snap was high, but holder Chad Prain took off running and ran the ball in for the two-point conversion, making it 25-7.
Worth’s next drive stalled, and the Rams lined up to punt. But the snap got away, rolled down the field, and the punter was tackled at the 8-yard line. It took just one play for the Wildcats to score again, as Dhahrod Hall ran the ball across the goal line to give Valdosta a 32-7 lead. That was the score at halftime.
On Valdosta’s next drive, McQueen went to work. On the first play, the junior running back went 10 yards for a first down. On the next play, McQueen took the handoff again and went right on a sweep. After turning the corner, he cut back inside, evaded a defender, ran by another one and raced into the end zone for the touchdown, making it 39-7 heading into the final quarter.
Valdosta tacked on its final touchdown with 3:29 left in the game, driving 71 yards in six plays. Brian Anderson ran the ball on five straight plays, gaining 53 yards. On the sixth play, Charlie Albritton got the ball, and dashed into the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown, making the final score 46-7.
Rain fell on Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for much of the first half, but after the lightning delay, the rain stopped.
Valdosta will be off next Friday, then hosts Savannah Jenkins in its season opener on Aug. 28.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Pat Gallagher | The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta High quarterback Dashay March (1) takes a hit while running a quarterback keeper during the game against Worth County at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium Friday evening.
-
Pat Gallagher | The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta High's Reggie McQueen (22) breaks free to score a touchdown against Worth County at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium Friday evening.
Discussion
Wildcats dominate Worth, 46-7
- Local Sports
-
-
VSU's Harris suspended indefinitely
A shortened, diminished roster for the Valdosta State men's basketball team took another blow Thursday following the suspension of senior guard Sidney Harris.
-
Big weekend ahead for Lady Blazers
It might be an understatement to call this weekend’s two home games for the Valdosta State women’s basketball team a big deal, because that is exactly what they are.
-
Blazers fall to Albany State, 7-3
The Valdosta State baseball team was handed a third-straight loss Wednesday night, as the Blazers fell to in-state foe Albany State, 7-3.
The Blazers were held in check for much of the night, despite being aided by nine Golden Ram walks. With runners on base, the Blazers were unable to produce enough offense to score runs, leaving 12 runners stranded in the game. -
Wildcats rally for 50-40 win over Brooks
Valdosta’s boys basketball team came alive in the fourth quarter, and rallied for a 50-40 victory over Brooks County on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats outscored Brooks 24-9 in the fourth quarter, and turned a five-point deficit into a 10-point win. -
VSU soccer announces 2012 signing class
Valdosta State and Head Coach Melissa Heinz announced the signing of Blazer Soccer’s second recruiting class.
After bringing in a large class of 31 in its initial signing day, the now established program that went to the Gulf South Conference Championship match welcomes seven new players with a few more expected. -
Valdosta celebrates 2011 season
On Tuesday night, the 2011 Valdosta High football team was honored at the team’s annual awards banquet for a season that included the program’s first region championship since 2003.
The Wildcats went 8-3 in 2011, won their first Winnersville Classic in eight years and earned their 41st region title. -
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.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
VSU's Harris suspended indefinitely
