VALDOSTA —  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.

Every Valdosta High football player, from the freshmen to the seniors, was introduced individually at the banquet. The varsity players were given a region champions patch for their letter jackets.

As people were coming into the Performing Arts Center for the awards program, footage from last year’s Winnersville Classic was being shown. Whenever the Wildcats made a big play, a loud cheer erupted from the crowd, with the loudest applause coming when Avery Burney’s game-winning touchdown catch was shown.

The keynote speaker at the football banquet was Will Muschamp, the head football coach at the University of Florida.

Muschamp, who was Valdosta State’s defensive coordinator in 2000, expressed a tremendous respect for the Wildcats’ football program.

“The Wildcat tradition is alive and it’s real,” he said. “(I) never played here or coached here, but (I) admired it growing up. ... (Head coach Rance Gillespie) has assembled a fine staff. ... Administration, kudos to you for hiring these guys. Boosters, parents and players, continue to buy into what’s happening. Because it’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when the next state championship is won at Valdosta High School.”

“I was the defensive coordinator at the University of Texas for three years, and people in Texas think they invented football. (In Texas) when people found out my background, when they knew I was from (Georgia), they all asked me about Valdosta High School football,” he added. “They all asked me about Coach Hyder, they all asked me about Coach Bazemore. The tradition of the Wildcats. It’s alive, and it’s out there and it’s amazing. ... You don’t realize as a player coming through that you’re not just entitled to play here. It’s an honor to play here. It’s a privilege to play here.”

 Muschamp played at Georgia with current Valdosta head coach Rance Gillespie, as well as former Wildcats Greg Talley, Brice Hunter and Marcus Williams.

“Those guys had talent. They had the talent of working hard,” Muschamp said. “Because they came through this program, they knew what commitment was, they knew what discipline was and they knew what it took to be successful. Those are easy things to talk about, but they’re hard to do.”

Muschamp asked Valdosta’s underclassmen a question: “How do you want to be remembered?” Then he challenged them to make the commitment and put in the work to become good players and help the Wildcats be successful on the field.

“Your actions speak so loud I can’t hear what you tell me,” Muschamp said, using a line he learned from his father Larry, who coached against Wildcat legend Nick Hyder years ago when Hyder was at West Rome. “Don’t talk about (wanting to be great) unless you’re willing to walk the walk.”

He also challenged the players to do the best they can do, because as he put it, that’s all you can do. He encouraged them to perform well enough that it leads the opposing coaches to change their game plans. He told them they need to be committed to doing uncommon things to be successful.

When he was done, Muschamp received a partial standing ovation from the crowd.

A number of Valdosta players received individual awards.

Valdosta quarterback Shelby Wilkes received the Nick Hyder Memorial Offensive MVP Award. Middle linebacker Jonathan Hester was the Wright Bazemore Defensive MVP Award winner.

There were four awards handed out for academic achievement. Offensive lineman Joe Lin was given the Howard Bridges Scholastic Award. Linebacker Maurice Fason received the Wright Bazemore Scholarship Award. Tight end Jay Orr got the Nick Hyder Foundation Scholarship Award. The Pipkin Motors Scholarship Award was given to free safety Devontay Hamilton.

The Mark Stevens Memorial Sportsmanship Award was given to center Jamel Hunter. Defensive end Chuntony Johnson got the Dynamite Goodloe Memorial Most Improved Award. Linebacker Randy Cook received the Julian Lefiles Memorial Spirit Award. Running back Charlie Albritton and Orr shared the Most Loyal Award.

Fason won the Best Linebacker Award. Left tackle Willie Barrett got the Best Offensive Lineman Award. The Best Offensive Back Award went to fullback Jarvis Roberts. Defensive end Michael Wakefield got the Best Defensive Lineman Award. The Best Defensive Back Award was shared between cornerbacks Terrance Foster and Edrae Gipson and strong safety Jason Jelks. Tight end Demetrius Melvin earned the Best Receiver Award. Wide receiver/kick returner Jerald Davis and punter Mac Loudermilk shared the Special Teams Award. The Super Skinner/Scout Player of the Year Award winners were wide receiver Alex Cason and defensive lineman Adrian Scott.