By Christian Malone
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA — Valdosta High’s football team travels to Newnan for the first round of the state playoffs at 7:30 p.m. today.
Valdosta (7-3) has scored 80 points in its last two games, while the Wildcats’ first-team defense has allowed just seven points. Head coach Rick Tomberlin feels that the Wildcats are playing their best football of the season right now.
“No question,” Tomberlin said. “I think we’re playing better right now than we’ve played maybe since I’ve been here.”
But tonight, the Wildcats will face one of their toughest opponents of the season. Newnan (10-0) went undefeated in the regular season, and won the Region 4-AAAAA championship. The Cougars won their 10 games by an average score of 35-6.
“They’ve got an outstanding football team,” Tomberlin said. “They’re 10-0, and region champions. They were 13-1 last year. They’re used to winning.”
Newnan has a dominant defense. The Cougars have allowed just 61 points all year, an average of 6.1 points per game. They have five shutouts. The Cougars run a 3-3-5 defense.
“They blitz somebody every play. It’s a high-pressure defense,” Tomberlin said. “They like to make things happen.”
Newnan’s star is safety Alec Ogletree. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Ogletree is the No. 2 safety in the nation, according to scout.com, and has committed to Georgia. He has 49 tackles, four sacks and an interception. Ogletree also plays wide receiver, and leads the team with 21 catches for 414 yards and three touchdowns.
“He is a great player,” Tomberlin said. “He looks like a big linebacker. He’s a big hitter out of the secondary, a big-play receiver on offense and a good special teams player. He’s good at blocking (kicks). We’ve got to be aware of where he is at all times.”
Ogletree’s twin brother, Zander, has made 55 tackles at linebacker. Linebacker Adam Strakose leads the team in tackles with 64. Cornerback Jamal Ransby (14 tackles, 4 interceptions, 5 pass breakups) is a Division I prospect.
On offense, the Cougars run the spread. Newnan quarterback Lendell Arnold has thrown for 1,088 yards and 10 touchdowns (with eight interceptions), while rushing for 280 yards and five touchdowns. Chris Robinson leads the team with 793 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns, while Nick Hill has added 426 yards and six touchdowns. Seven Newnan players have over 100 yards receiving this year.
Valdosta has also spread out its offensive production. Five Wildcats have at least 200 yards rushing, and 12 VHS players have run for a touchdown this season. Jay Rome leads the Wildcats in receiving, with 25 catches for 452 yards and three touchdowns. But 11 other players have also caught passes.
Chad Prain (282 yards passing, 209 yards rushing, seven total touchdowns) will start at quarterback for Valdosta tonight. Prain has had two big games leading the Wildcats’ offense the last two weeks. DaShay March (686 yards passing, 587 yards rushing, 12 total touchdowns) could be used at multiple positions tonight, as the Wildcats try to find ways to take advantage of his playmaking abilities.
Valdosta’s defense is allowing 13 points per game. But the Wildcats’ defense is allowing just 8.6 points a game against teams not named Lowndes.
What does Valdosta have to do to beat Newnan tonight?
“We’re going to have to play lights out on offense, lights out on defense and lights out in the kicking game,” Tomberlin said. “We can’t get off to a slow start. If we can do like we did last week, and not have an interception or a fumble, that would help. We’ve got to continue to play great defense, and move the football, and score in the red zone on offense. If we go out there and play intense, and don’t have any major breakdowns, we’ve got a chance.”
Directions to Newnan's Drake Stadium:
Drive north on Interstate 75. Take Exit 205 and go west on S.R. 16. Drive about 44 miles towards Newnan on S.R. 16. After going under Interstate 85, turn right on U.S. 29. Go 2.2 miles, then turn left at the Hotspot gas station onto Sewell Road. Take Sewell Road until it ends. The school is on the right.
