Congratulations!

The Valdosta Wildcats are back. 

Of course the ‘Cats never went away, but now they are back under the dome.

Playing for another state title, the Wildcats are back where they belong — at the top. 

We congratulate the young men, their coaches and Valdosta High School for an amazing season and a dominant win over the previous No. 1 team in the state in Dalton Friday night. 

It is time for another title in TitleTown. 

The winningest high school team in the nation added another chapter to its storied history and is now poised to play for the Class 6A championship.

The Wildcats advance to the title game for the first time since 2003 and will play Tucker Friday night.

It has been a season of destiny and no one would be wise to pick against the ‘Cats. 

Head coach Alan Rodemaker, in his first season at the top spot, has every reason to be proud, but he showers all the praise on the players who throw the blocks, make the tackles, break the runs, hurl and catch the passes and get down the field on special teams.

Dalton’s Catamounts entered the game against the Wildcats Friday night as the top ranked team in Class 6A, boasting an unblemished season. 

On paper it appeared Dalton would have the edge over Valdosta.

But football games are not played on paper. 

Between the goal posts, stats and predictions don’t really matter all that much. 

For Valdosta, it was a true team effort, much like the entire season for the ‘Cats. 

They played as a team. 

They won as a team. 

Football is about blocking, tackling, running, throwing, catching, discipline and fundamentals. 

It is about strategy and execution. 

But, it is also about heart. 

If Rodemaker’s bunch has anything this year, they have heart — and lots of it. 

The Wildcats will meet Tucker on the turf at 8 p.m. Friday in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the state championship.

Valdosta fans have always traveled well and the stands at the dome are likely to look like Bazemore-Hyder North Friday night. 

We encourage the community to support the ‘Cats, make the drive to the Atlanta and give our team home field advantage. 

When you think about it, no team in Georgia — no team in the nation — should feel more at home in a state championship game than the Valdosta Wildcats. 

Go ‘Cats!