VALDOSTA — The Valdosta High School Wildcats won their 24th football state championship last week, and now it’s time to get the hardware to mark yet another victory for the most winningest team in the nation.

Valdosta’s school board is seeking donations to buy 105 championship rings for the VHS football team.

The cost? About $20,000, or $190 per ring.

Superintendent Todd Cason said people are already asking how they can donate, and that it’s normal for championship rings to be funded by the public. He added that, while the board can give money for the rings if necessary, oftentimes it’s not needed.

Cason wouldn’t disclose details on the ring’s design for the sake of not spoiling the surprise, but he did say the pieces of jewelry — being produced by Herff Jones — would be made of sturdy, high-quality materials.

“I don’t want to ruin the surprise for the children. Normally what happens is that [the design] is not released to the public until the ring ceremony, which may be January or February,” Cason said.

Football Head Coach Alan Rodemaker will make the decision of when and how the rings are unveiled, Cason said.

Letters will soon be sent out asking the community for donations, and the Valdosta City Schools Foundation and Valdosta Touchdown Club will be working together to make the rings a reality.

Keychain replicas of the rings will soon be sold for $30 to add to the funds.

To donate, contact Jennifer Steedley, VCS director of public relations, at 229-671-6065 or jsteedley@gocats.org.

Because the VCS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations made through the foundation are tax deductible.