VALDOSTA — Region 1-6A may get somewhat sorted out tonight, but it may be even more of a mess after the three games. Two of the contests will be in the Azalea City, Tift County at Valdosta and Richmond Hill at Lowndes, with a third on the coast.

Outside of the region, undefeated Georgia Christian visits Crisp Academy and Valwood hosts Brookwood School.

Lowndes did not start the region schedule off like the Vikings wanted. Colquitt County kicked a last-minute field goal to fell Lowndes by a 38-35 score.

Since then, everything has gone swimmingly. One of the best defenses in the entire state, the Vikes stuffed Tift 26-7, then did the same to Camden County, 33-7. So good was the Camden performance that Lowndes held Elyiss Williams, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 pick, to no catches. Lowndes defenders had four sacks, an interception, forced a fumble and blocked a field goal for the second straight week.

Even with the 38 points by the Packers, Lowndes is giving up only 12.5 per game.

Meanwhile, Marvis Parrish is turning into perhaps the most dangerous man in the region. He can run, he can pass, he can catch and he can even return kicks. The senior has nearly 1,000 total yards and 16 touchdowns total.

Jayce Johnson continued his progress with 171 passing yards, completing 11 of 16 attempts. Parrish had 108 of those to go along with his 93 rushing yards.

Camden has been far from slouches on defense, but allowed 340 total yards to the Vikings and four rushing touchdowns.

Richmond Hill is coming in fresh off its upset of Valdosta, one that combined a big defensive performance with a running attack that controlled the ball.

Valdosta felt the sting of defeat for the first time last week. Injuries took their toll in the upset loss to Richmond Hill. Though a disappointment, there were highlights for the Wildcats.

Marquis Fennell stepped up with 151 rush yards and a pair of scores.  In his first extended action, Tripp Perry completed 11 of 16 tosses. The ‘Cats are still in good shape to make the playoffs and are not out of the region title race if healthy.

Tift County is the lone Region 1 team without a win, but the Blue Devils have not rolled over.

Damieon Dixon had 330 passing yards against Colquitt, not only the most for him in his young career but the most for any Tift QB in seven years. His primary receiver, Dai’jon Hayes, now leads 1-6A in yardage.

Another advantage for Valdosta is the setting. Bazemore-Hyder Stadium has been a house of horrors for the Devils, dating back when it was Valdosta-Tifton playing in the 1920s at the stadium’s then-primary name, Cleveland Field.

A Blue Devils team has only one six times at Bazemore-Hyder, the last time in 2017. Before then, Tift last won in 1993.

Georgia Christian has taken over as the sole local high school team with an undefeated record. The Generals have swamped everyone, including David Emanuel to a 41-8 tune last week. DEA’s eight points tied for the most Georgia Christian has allowed against any school this year, with Fullington Academy also notching eight.

Odds are good the domination continues. Crisp Academy is their opponent this week and the Wildcats are but 1-7. That lone victory came in August against David Emanuel, 26-24. Being in the same district, the two have played several of the same opponents. The last two games have seen Crisp very close, a 26-22 loss to Memorial Day and 32-24 to Vidalia Heritage.

A win against the Wildcats would set up Georgia Christian for a massive game next week against Sherwood Christian. The Eagles are also undefeated and have an excellent chance to stay that way as they play one-win Grace Christian. Next week’s contest will be in Albany.

Valwood is still No. 1 in the power rankings for GIAA Class 3A, but pressure is here. Westfield, Tiftarea and Deerfield-Windsor are breathing down the Valiants’ necks.

Deerfield upset the Valiants last week and if Tiftarea tops Terrell, the Panthers can move even closer ahead of the squads’ game on Nov. 1. Westfield’s remaining regular season game is against a larger opponent (St. Anne-Pacelli) that would also provide valuable points for the power rankings.

Valwood is essentially assured of making the eight-team playoff and probably also of hosting at least one round, but only No. 1 and No. 2 are guaranteed of having a home game each week until the finals.

This is Brookwood’s last district game. The Warriors, after an incredible year of offense in 2023, are in rebuilding mode and enter 0-8. Every opponent has scored at least 35 on Brookwood and the closest they’ve been in any game is 17 points.

But the Warriors are beginning to figure out an offense and Valwood will have to hope the turnover bug that ailed them against Deerfield-Windsor is resolved. However, the Valiants are getting more players involved on both sides of the ball, a dangerous development for opponents.