Jordan Black, DL, Eastern Kentucky
Recorded 33.5 tackles and two sacks as a senior ... first-team All-Region ... suffered a concussion against Warner Robins that kept him out of the Vikings’ two playoff games.
Justin Browning, LT, Valdosta State
Three-year starter on the offensive line ... second-team All-Region ... VSU coach David Dean praised his footwork, said that he can adjust to pass blocking.
Ed Christian, RG, Auburn
Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 team as a senior ... first-team All-State ... first-team All-Region ... played offense and defense for the Vikings as a senior ... will play on the right side of the offensive line at Auburn ... chose Auburn over Southern California, Tennessee and South Carolina.
Michael Copeland, DE, Florida Atlantic
Finished fourth on the Vikings with 54.5 tackles, six sacks and tackles for loss as a senior ... honorable mention All-State by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ... first-team All-Region ... chose Florida Atlantic over Florida International, where former Viking Darriet Perry showed him around ... will play for the Owls under legendary coach Howard Schnellenberger.
Dion Crenshaw, DT, Valdosta State
Finished fifth on the Vikings with 44 tackles, a sack and four tackles for loss as a senior ... played his best game against Valdosta, where he totaled five solo tackles and stopped a Wildcats’ sneak on fourth-and-one ... VSU head coach David Dean said Blazers seek defensive lineman with players like Demario Jones facing their senior years.
Khary Franklin, RB, Troy State
Started at quarterback for the Vikings as a sophomore and junior ... as a senior played wingback and ran for a team-high 981 yards and 13 touchdowns ... first-team All-Region ... said Troy coaches took him in their film room and showed him what they have planned for him ... said Troy staff wants him to play right away, probably as a slotback ... said it was tempting to accept Georgia Southern’s offer to play quarterback, but he like Troy too much.
Layne Grant, LG, Valdosta State
Three-year starter on the offensive line ... honorable mention All-Region ... was the Vikings’ lead pulling blocker ... Franklin always credited him after games for opening up running lanes with pancake blocks ... was impressed with VSU’s facilities, mainly the new student union.
Michael Miller, C, Valdosta State
Three-year started on the offensive line ... Valdosta State coach David Dean said the Blazers seek a center/guard combo and believes Miller can fit that role ... said playing close to home in front of friends and family was a factor in his decision to choose VSU ... considers himself the smartest member of the Sons of Thunders (nickname for Lowndes’ offensive line in 2009)
#16 Riyadh Moore, DE, Hutchinson CC
Finished eighth on the Vikings with 37.5 tackles and had three sacks ... Hutchinson CC has produced players like NFL quarterback Shaun Hill ... 16 Hutchinson CC players in 2008 moved on to four-year schools.
#10 Telvin Smith, Florida State (ACC)
Led the Vikings with 106.5 tackles and three interceptions in 2009 ... first-team All-State ... first-team All-Region ... honored verbal commitment to FSU after nearly switching to Georgia on National Signing Day ... LSU was third choice ... said Greg Reid and Gerald Demps were not a factor in choosing FSU ... feels like FSU is a program on the rise.
#19 Aaron Winston, West Georgia
Finished second on the Vikings with eight catches and two touchdowns ... led the Vikings with an average of 23.3 yards per catch for players with more than one catch ... served as the Vikings punter on long punts ... said West Georgia will likely switch him to defensive back ... former Viking Kelly Dawsey plays in West Georgia’s secondary ... sixth man on the Vikings’ basketball team.
Local Sports
A closer look at Lowndes’ 11 signings
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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VSU's Harris suspended indefinitely
