VALDOSTA — On paper, the Lowndes Vikings shouldn’t have any problem getting by the Newton Rams.

The Vikings are a state-wide powerhouse known for winning state championships and dominating non-region opponents. The Rams are a middle of the road team that has won six games in each of their last three seasons and failed to make the playoffs during that span.

Last week, the Vikings flexed their muscle and cruised to a 50-23 win over the Luella Lions, while the Rams were shut out by Eastside, 32-0.

Tonight, the Rams make their first-ever visit to Martin Stadium to face the heavily-favored Vikings. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.

“This is our first time ever playing them. But on film, they look big, fast and athletic,” Lowndes head coach Randy McPherson said.

McPherson said the Vikings had a good week of practice, and fixed their breakdowns from last week’s blowout win over Luella. He says they are still getting better and learning from their mistakes.

Tonight, McPherson hopes the Vikings can continue to improve and not get caught up with playing the underdog Rams.

“We are just trying to get better,” McPherson said. “I think we improved (this week at practice). We still have a ways to go. We are still a work in progress. We are a young team, but I like the way they are working and the chemistry we got.”

With a young team, McPherson is looking to his leaders to make sure the younger players on the roster don’t overlook Newton and start looking ahead to the Sept. 28 meeting with Colquitt County in Moultrie, the Region 1-AAAAAA opener for both teams.

“We respect Newton,” McPherson said. “They have a lot of athletes. We are going to have to play really good in order to beat them.

“You start thinking about who you’re playing and all that, that is no way to go about it — whether you’re playing a great team or whatever. You want to play your best.”

One of those leaders McPherson is looking at is senior running back Nick Burgman.

“Coach is always talking about how teams we are playing are going to play with their all,” Burgman said. “Even if you are beating them by 50 points, we are still going to play like it is our first play out there.”

Offensively, Newton will line up in a spread style offense, while mixing in the I formation. The Rams are a balanced offense, too. McPherson said they split the run and pass equally.

Last week, the Rams were hampered by turnovers. Sophomore quarterback Kemani Pitman, who will make his second career start tonight, was intercepted twice. Both of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns, including an 83-yard return. Pitman also fumbled once, which was scooped up by an Eastside defender and returned 10 yards for a score.

The Rams were also unable to move the ball, especially on the ground. As a team, the Rams managed just 72 yards on 26 carries.

Defensively, the Rams seem to be more experienced and more talented than the offense. Based out of a 4-3 defense that occasionally switches into a 5-2 defense, the Rams held Eastside to under 100 yards of total offense in last week’s season opening loss.

Tonight, the Rams have the tough challenge of slowing down the Vikings’ offense that accumulated 473 yards and seven touchdowns in last week’s season opening win.

Burgman led the way on the ground, helping the Vikings run for 408 yards in the win over the Lions. Burgman finished the night with 140 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns.

“We actually realized what kind of team we have,” said Burgman of the win. “We still have to get better.”

Along with Burgman, 11 other Viking players carried the ball in last week’s win. For Burgman, he knows his carries are limited, making every touch that much more important.

“We have a lot of us,” said Burgman of the running back depth. “Coach always said, ‘There are two kinds of running backs — those that run to score and those that run to get tacos.’ So, every time I get the ball, I am running to score.”

At quarterback, the Vikings will continue to use senior Alex Stephenson and junior Seth Carlo, who is the more proven passer of the two. Last week, Carlo completed 5 of 7 passes for 52 yards. In the preseason scrimmage last month, he completed 3 of 6 passes for 95 yards and a score. Stephenson was 1 for 1 last week for 6 yards, and 0 for 1 in the scrimmage against Thomasville.

Despite the two-quarterback system, the Vikings aren’t letting it bother them. Like Burgman alluded to, Lowndes has been working with both quarterbacks rotating all summer.

“We practiced with both of them every day, so you kind of get used to it,” Burgman said. “We started when school let out. We’ve been working all summer. We are pretty adjusted to it now.”

Tonight’s game will be Military Appreciation Night. All military personnel, active and retired, will receive free admission, including spouse/guest and dependent children.

Colonel Steve Ramer from Moody Air Force Base will toss the coin to begin the game. Lowndes High administration will recognize all branches of the military at halftime, and will have a special tribute to fallen soldiers.