Editor’s note: The following is a reprint of the game story from Valdosta High’s 600th football win against Monroe that originally appeared in the Dec. 1, 1984, edition of the Valdosta Daily Times. With the Wildcats just one win away from their 900th win, the VDT will be looking back at some of Valdosta’s previous milestone wins leading into the season.

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Tick, Tick, Tick … boom!

The nation’s top-rated Valdosta Wildcats were like a time bomb for one half, ready to explode at any time before blasting past Warner Robins on 21 second-half points on the way to a 28-0 win in first round playoff action Friday night before about 11,000 fans.

For most of the first half, the Demons played the Wildcats to a near standoff, except for one Valdosta drive which resulted in the only touchdown in the half.

Warner Robins’ offense featured a variation of cutbacks, options and reverses to keep the vaunted ‘Cats defense at bay. They kept the ‘Cats defense off balance and confused for most of the half, chalking up 154 yards on the ground in the first half alone. That total triples the usual amount that Valdosta gives up for an entire game.

But, just like in the previous two weeks, failed opportunities by the Demons’ offense proved to be costly in the end. All season long, the ‘Cats have usually gotten out of the blocks kind of slow and things were no different this time.

Warner Robins’ Dominko Anderson returned the opening kickoff 62 yards, and only a standout play by Derrick “Kool” Folsom, who had to fight off three blockers, saved a touchdown.

Taking over possession at the Valdosta 38, three plays netted seven yards. The Demons faced a fourth-down-and-three at the 31. Jeff Thompson picked up more than enough yardage (eight yards) for a Demons’ first down at the ‘Cats 23.

However, this is where the drive stalled. Warner Robins was hit with an illegal procedure penalty on first down, which cost them five yards, and quarterback Lane Maddox was sacked for a 10-yard loss by the ‘Cats Ernest Manghram and Mike Martin. A third-down pass was incomplete and the Demons were forced to punt.

“They did a good job of executing on that kick return, which set them up in outstanding position,” said Valdosta head coach Nick Hyder. “That’s just the nature of the game, but we buckled down and stopped them, and that was a very important sequence in the game.”

After taking over at its own 8-yard line following a 26-yard punt by Mike Creech, Valdosta drove to the Warner Robins 33 before bogging down. The drive consumed more than five minutes of the first quarter and took 11 plays before the ‘Cats were forced to give up the ball.

David Thomas came on to punt, and Valdosta seemingly put the Demons in the hole by downing the ball on their 2. But on a third-down-and-six from the 6, Joe Butler broke through for 42 yards, before Folsom made another touchdown-saving tackle at the Demons 48.

The drive continued into the second quarter and the Demons got as far as the ‘Cats’ 29 before the defense rose up to stop them once again. Garnett West came on to try a 46-yard field-goal attempt, which fell way short and gave Valdosta the ball at its own 20.

“I guess you can say that we bent a little on defense in the first half, but we never did break,” Hyder said. “Momentum was working hard there in the first few minutes and just couldn’t seem to find a home.”

Well, it soon did, as the ‘Cats launched an 80-yard scoring march. There were a couple of big plays in the drive, with the first coming on an 18-yard completion from senior quarterback Berke Holtzclaw to Hosea Heard.

That pass put the ‘Cats in Warner Robins territory, and three plays later, Tony Anderson dashed 41 yards to the Demons’ 3. Both plays were third-down conversions, and Valdosta picked up four first downs in the drive.

Anderson — who led all runners with 134 yards on 19 attempts — scored the first of two touchdowns on a three-yard smash two plays later, with 7:49 left in the first half to give the ‘Cats a lead it would never relinquish. John Porter added the extra point for a 7-0 halftime lead.

However, that score didn’t conclude all the excitement in the half as Warner Robins squandered a couple of other scoring opportunities before the half ended.

After both teams traded punts, Warner Robins took over possession at its own 13. They chalked up some big yardage in five plays to move to a first down at the Valdosta 10. But, once again the drive would go no further as Jimmy Lewis and James Wakefield teamed on a big sack on first down. Then, Dennis Roberts fumbled on the next play and David Thomas recovered for Valdosta at the 18, witch 59 seconds left.

Valdosta tried a trick play and it almost came back to haunt them when a pass from wideout Charles Steward was picked off by Ben Smith and returned to the ‘Cats 29. The Demons proved to be their own worst enemies once more as a 15-yard holding penalty was assessed on first down. Jeff Thompson picked up nine yards on the final play of the half as time expired before the Demons could get off a field-goal attempt.

“We made some big plays throughout the contest and all that is due to attitude and hard work habits,” Hyder said. “We have a lot of guys who are capable of making the big play and it showed tonight.”

Warner Robins didn’t have a chance in the second half as Valdosta completely dominated the contest in the final two quarters.

After bogging down on their first drive in the second half, the ‘Cats came back to score on their next three possessions.

Valdosta started the half by forcing a Warner Robins punt after three plays, the first time that it had done that all game long. Taking over possession at their own 45, the ‘Cats moved to a first down just outside the Demons’ 10. Willie Lewis had a 19-yard run and Anderson added a 13-yard jaunt for the big plays in the drive.

Anderson gained five yards on first down, but was snuffed for only one yard on the next two downs. Valdosta called a time out at that point and fourth down option run by Holtzclaw was stopped cold and the Demons took over. It would be their last time celebrating anything in this game.

Valdosta got the ball back at its own 47 following a Warner Robins punt, and promptly drove in for the score in eight plays, with Anderson getting the honors on a 5-yard smash. Porter added the conversion and Valdosta led 14-0 at the end of the quarter.

One the second play of the final period, Dewayne Hart picked off a Maddox pass and raced back 20 yards to the Demons’ 15. Three plays later, Lewis slammed into the end zone from 12 yards out with 10:25 left in the game. Porter’s point after gave Valdosta a 21-0 advantage.

Valdosta’s next score was set up when the defense stopped the Demons on fourth down at their own 45.

it took the ‘Cats seven plays to cover the distance, with Lewis capping the the drive on a 2-yard blast. Porter’s conversion made the final count 28-0 with 6:45left to play.

“I thought the keys to this win were the preparation before the game, and adjustments at halftime of the entire coaching staff,” Hyder said. “Other key factors were the attitude of the players, senior leadership and the fact that we didn’t push the panic button there early in the game.

“We maintained out composure and beat a very fine football team,” Hyder added. “They’ve had the winningest football team in the state the last few years, and this is a big win for us.”