VALDOSTA —
Friday night will be highlighted by the showdown between the top-ranked Camden County Wildcats and the fourth-ranked Lowndes Vikings.
Meanwhile, Valdosta will continue to fight for its playoff life with a game at struggling Brunswick. Clinch County is also fighting for its playoff life when it hosts Lanier County. Berrien visits Cook in Region 1-AA action.
Valwood will be on the road visiting Southwest Georgia Academy with the opportunity to clinch the region championship for the second straight season.
Camden County Wildcats (8-0) at Lowndes Vikings (9-0)
The Region 1-6A championship is on the line Friday night at Martin Stadium when the fourth-ranked Vikings host the top-ranked Wildcats. Lowndes is 9-0 for the first time since 2008, while Camden County is 8-0 following a blowout win over Brunswick.
The Wildcats can win the region championship in their first year as a member in Region 1, moving over from a much-weaker Region 3. The move hasn’t bothered the Wildcats, who have won all four region games by 27 or more points. Lowndes is looking for its second region championship in three seasons. Friday’s game will be carried live on ESPNU.
Valdosta Wildcats (5-3) at Brunswick Pirates (3-5)
In a three-way tie with Coffee and Colquitt County for the final two playoff spots in Region 1, Valdosta is in another must-win situation this week as it visits Brunswick. After playing to a 64-62 overtime thriller in 2010, which Valdosta won, the Wildcats beat the Pirates 24-6 a year ago. This year, Brunswick made the jump from Class 4A to Class 6A and has felt the effects. The Pirates are just 3-5 this season and enter Friday’s game as losers of four of their last five games.
Lanier County Bulldogs (2-7) at Clinch County Panthers (3-5)
The Clinch County Panthers are clinging to their postseason life in the Class A Public playoff race, following a 21-0 loss to Charlton County last Friday night. The Panthers can help their positioning in the playoffs with a win Friday night over region foe Lanier County, who has officially been eliminated from the playoff race.
If Clinch County isn’t able to secure a playoff berth these next two weeks, it will be the first time the Panthers have failed to make the playoffs since 1994 (the Panthers qualified for the region playoff in 1995).
The Bulldogs have lost six straight games, since starting the season with a 2-1 record.
Friday’s game in Homerville will mark the end of the season for Lanier County; Clinch County will visit Turner County next week.
Clinch County leads the all-time series against Lanier County, 14-0. The Panthers beat the Bulldogs 22-0 last year.
Valwood Valiants (9-0) at Southwest Georgia Warriors (5-4)
The Valwood Valiants have already clinched a share of the Region 3-1AA championship, but can win the outright championship with a win over Southwest Georgia Friday night in Damascus.
The Valiants clinched a share of the region title with a 35-0 win over rival Brookwood last Friday, their first shutout of the season. Southwest Georgia lost its first region game of the year last week, falling to Westwood 21-7.
Southwest Georgia was the only school to beat Valwood in the regular season last year. The Warriors have won six straight games against the Valiants.
Berrien Rebels (3-5) at Cook Hornets (6-2)
The Berrien Rebels have more wins in 2011 than they did in 2010 and 2011 combined. The Rebels’ three wins this season is clear indication of the improvement being made under first-year head coach Rob Armstrong. This week, the Rebels are looking for a massive upset when they visit the Cook Hornets in Adel.
Fresh off a loss to Region 1-AA champion Brooks County, the Hornets enter in need of a win to remain in the race for a home playoff game.
Cook is 41-13-47 all-time against its border rival. The Hornets have won every meeting in the series since 1998 when they ended a four-year losing streak to the Rebels.
Idle: Brooks County Trojans (9-0)
Local Sports
Friday night previews
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All-Region teams announced
Lowndes was one win away from a trip to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals, and the success by the Vikings this season showed when the All-Region 1 baseball teams were announced Monday.
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Lowndes tennis dominates
Lowndes’ tennis team dominated the All-Region 1 teams, with coach Heath Phelps garnering Coach of the Year honors on both the girls’ and boys’ side.
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Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby a success
The 13th annual Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby held May 11 drew 150 children from ages 3 to 15 who competed for trophies while learning how to fish.
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Valdosta's Alakulppi ties for 2nd at state
Valdosta freshman golfer Luukas Alakulppi fired a 71 to finish in a tie for second at the Class AAAAAAA state golf tournament in Tifton.
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Brooks County's Parrish in Rivals Top 100
Brooks County rising senior Malkolm Parrish is ranked the 73rd best high school football prospect in the nation, according to the release of the Rivals.com Top 100.
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Summer camp information
VSU baseball camp coming soon
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Prince Automotive donates new baseball equipment
Prince Automotive of Valdosta is supporting the Valdosta community through its partnership with the Valdosta/Lowndes County Recreation Department. The dealership has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment, instructional clinics, and a monetary donation.
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Needmore holds final races before big Memorial Day weekend
Saturday night racing at Needmore Speedway saw some new faces in victory lane.
That wasn’t the case in the Late Model division, as Valdosta's Gene Ross drove to victory once again, but not without some close competition from Steven Roberts who came in second.
In the Limited Late Model class, it was another win for Cole Exum, with Gene Maine finishing second in the NAPA Auto Parts special. -
VSU softball wins South Region, headed to nationals
For the third time in four years, and second in a row, Valdosta State’s softball team will play in the national championship tournament.
The Blazers won their third South Region championship Saturday, beating Alabama-Huntsville 8-3 in game three of the best-of-three series at Steel’s Diamond at Blazer Park. -
VSU baseball season comes to an end
Delta State scored seven unanswered runs to defeat Valdosta State 7-2 in an elimination game of the NCAA South Region Tournament at the UT Baseball Field Saturday afternoon.
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