VALDOSTA — For those who say spring intersquad games don’t mean anything, they are mistaken. For the players of Lowndes’ football, there is more on the line than just impressing coaches in a red-vs.-white game in the middle of February.

There is the little matter of a big juicy steak going to the winners.

That’s right, not only will Lowndes’ two weeks of spring practice culminate in a 6 p.m. game at Martin Stadium today, but all players will be fed after the game with the winners receiving a nice reward.

The two teams will be coached by Steve Lankford on offense, Hiram Johnson on defense and the other led by Rob Armstrong on offense and Randy Hill on defense, with head coach Randy McPherson overseeing both while still reaping the benefits of the victor.

“I get to eat a steak no matter what,” McPherson said. “But, I’m going to be neutral.”

To be honest, there is a little more to be settled today than who will be cutting into America’s favorite meal.

After losing 30-plus seniors from a back-to-back state championship team, players came out for spring ball with something to prove. And so far the Vikings are looking like they are right in step.

“It went real good, I think it was a very successful spring,” McPherson said. “I think that we’ve played good defense this spring. We’re not going to know how good we are until we line up.”

When the 2006 Vikings do line up, it will be a fresh set of faces.

Among those faces that will need to provide some pop in between the endzones will be that of the secondary, which was left vacant after the final buzzer in ’05.

Several players have provided hope for coaches and chest bumping highlights the past two weeks.

“J.C. Copeland has looked good, and Jerald Demps has looked good back there,” McPherson said. “Greg Reed has been a pleasant surprise and Desmond Miller has had a good spring. We’re going to use him somewhere inside.

“I could really name about 20 kids.”

Returning to the Vikings’ defense will be four incoming seniors, Joe Rogers, Jack Schroefer and Krys Brooks with defensive end Devaris Leonard seeing more action on the offensive side of the ball as fullback.

“He’s probably going to play more at fullback next year than he did this year,” McPherson said. “It would be crazy not to do that.”

Joining Leonard in the offensive backfield will be the Vikings’ only returning offensive starter, Darriett Perry, who will once again run at opponents from the wingback position.

Other possible options in the Vikings’ running game will be Tavaris Williams and Jawon Smith.

Handing the ball off to the corps of backs will most likely be incoming junior Ronnie Mitchell, who has excelled both with his feet and arm.

“Ronnie Mitchell has done a good job this spring,” McPherson said. “He seems to be getting faster every day. He’s a pretty good athlete.”

Putting in time at quarterback today will also be current freshmen Micheal Padgett and Sam Hoff.

“Everybody is doing good, doing right,” Mitchell said. “We got two other good quarterbacks, so I’m just going to try my best.”

That’s what all the players will look to do today try their best, while deciding between medium and medium rare.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Mitchell said. “Everybody is going to be getting after it.”