VALDOSTA — Valdosta High’s football banquet bid a fond farewell to the graduating seniors, and welcomed in the new head coach.

The football banquet is usually centered around recognizing the previous season’s team, and honoring the graduating seniors. This night, those things were done.

But it was also a chance for many Wildcat fans to meet their new head coach for the first time. Rick Tomberlin was hired as Valdosta’s coach a month ago, and is preparing to officially start working at VHS on Wednesday. Tomberlin was one of the two keynote speakers at the banquet, and he gave the players and fans an idea of the kind of man they’ve hired.

Tomberlin gave six reasons why he’s had the success that he has had coaching football: divine intervention, dedicated assistants, supportive administration, athletes who are willing to get out of their comfort zone, the strength and conditioning program, and great support.

“It has taken all these things to build a winning program at Washington County,” he said. “I was blessed to have that there. So far it looks like I will have a lot of that here at Valdosta.”

He also listed four priorities of his football program, a list that looked similar to the priorities of the late Valdosta coaching legend Nick Hyder: God, family, education and team.

“These are the priorities we ask our players to have,” Tomberlin said.

Tomberlin must have made a positive impression on the crowd. They gave him a standing ovation when he was introduced, and then another one once he was done speaking.

“I want to thank everyone for the way they’ve welcomed me to Valdosta,” Tomberlin said. “You guys have really rolled out the red carpet for me.”

The other speaker was Valdosta assistant coach Welton Coffey. Coffey had the pleasure of recognizing the graduating seniors. His speech centered around encouraging the graduating players to grow into men that would earn respect.

“Nobody’s going to give you respect. It must be earned,” Coffey said. “I want you to learn to respect others, and respect yourself.”

Coffey then made each senior stand up, one by one as he called out their names, and he addressed them, and gave them the respect he felt they had earned.

The most respected person in the building, though, was Coffey himself. As soon as he was introduced, the players rose to their feet in applause, and the rest of the audience soon followed, giving Coffey a well-earned standing ovation. He got another one after he was done.

“Thank you all for that,” he said. “It really means a lot to me. I’ve gotten many things in my career… But I think that may be the first time I’ve ever received a standing ovation.”

The banquet was moved back to the high school, where it had been held for years, for the first time since 2003. The past two years, it had been held at Valdosta Middle School. The program portion of the banquet was held in the auditorium of the school’s Fine Arts Building.

The banquet meal was catered by Outback Steakhouse. Outback came prepared to feed 450 people, but adjusted when around 500 showed up. It was the third year that Outback had supplied the food.

Another tradition that returned to the Valdosta banquet was the practice of handing out individual awards. Former coach Rick Darlington had stopped that tradition, but now that he has departed, the Touchdown Club has gone back to doing it. Each award winner received a personalized trophy.

Offensive lineman Thom Amiot received the Nick Hyder Foundation Scholastic Award, which included a $1,000 scholarship. Amiot is one of the school’s top students, with a 3.9 GPA.

The other award named after Hyder, the Offensive MVP award, went to wide receiver Steve Dawson, who was All-Region and honorable mention All-State this year. The Wright Bazemore Outstanding Defensive Player Award was given to All-Region defensive lineman Keir Moore.

The Mack Stevens Memorial Sportsmanship Award went to quarterback Michael Turner, while Valdosta’s other quarterback, Alfrie Johnson, earned the Dynamite Goodloe Memorial Most Improved Award. Tight end Brandon Wrice and running back Travarus Sanders shared the Julian Lefiles Memorial Spirit Award. The Most Loyal Award went to center Alex Hall. The Super Skinner Awards (best scout team players) went to fullback Rashaad Austin and defensive back Damian White.

Wrice also won the Best Receiver Award, while Jamil Chandler received the Best Offensive Back Award. Jim Martin and Andrew DeLong shared the Best Offensive Lineman Award. Dedrick Miley was chosen the Best Defensive Lineman, while Jamaal Hunter got the Best Defensive End Award. Hubert Davis was the Best Linebacker, and Jarvis Stokes got the Best Defensive Back Award.

All of the players received a package that included a certificate of participation and a copy of the highlight video shown before the banquet. The seniors also received a plaque.

The varsity coaches, lower level coaches, cheerleaders, trainers and other support staff were also recognized at the banquet, as were the team’s Super Cats.