Glendon Poe | The Valdosta Daily TimesLowndes coach Randy McPherson, middle, is flanked by run game coordinator Tommy Watson, left, and tight end Marcus Gary as he talks with players during a practice Tuesday afternoon.

VALDOSTA — The Lowndes football team is seeking more consistent play following its scrimmage win against Bainbridge last week.

“We’ve got to block better, execute better, catch passes better,” coach Randy McPherson said earlier this week, as the Vikings prepared for the rival Valdosta Wildcats in tonight’s Winnersville Classic at 8 at Martin Stadium.

“We still have a ways to go. Hopefully, we can put it all together Friday night.”

The Vikings know they’ll need to be as precise as possible in their season opener against the reigning Class 6A state champion Wildcats.

Valdosta, like Lowndes, had a typical first game in its scrimmage against Cairo: missed scoring opportunities, blundered tackles, inconsistent blocking. But the Wildcats did create some exciting moments.

The offense scored on its first possession. Quarterback Hunter Holt led a six-play, 79-yard touchdown drive that included a 42-yard catch and run by Devonta Berrian. Rajaez Mosley capped the drive with a 1-yard dive.

Defensively, the Wildcats kept Cairo out of the red zone throughout the entirety of the scrimmage and led 24-0 through three varsity periods.

Lowndes’ defense, helmed by new defensive coordinator Byron Slack, also held hosting Bainbridge scoreless through three quarters.

The Vikings’ offense started slowly in its Winnersville tune-up, giving the ball back to Bainbridge on its first three drives. The defense provided the offense with a lift by stopping a successful Bainbridge drive midway through the second quarter. 

Michael Barrett connected with Tayvonn Kyle for a 6-yard gain before running it himself for a 21-yard pickup. Barrett later found Travis Tisdale for 17 yards and the Vikings were in business on Bainbridge’s 18. Gary Osby plunged ahead for a 1-yard score, the first of Lowndes’ two scores.

“We played very well at times, made some plays,” McPherson said. “I thought everybody played well at times, but it was one of those deals where 10 people do the right thing and one person does the wrong thing. Typical stuff for the first game of the year. If you’re going to make plays, offensively, you’ve got to have everybody doing what they’re supposed to do.”

McPherson said Lowndes’ defense “played fast, they played physical and they were very comfortable with what was going on.”

The Vikings’ D faces Holt and a talented group of skill players in the Winnersville Classic. Receiver Damarrias Morrow returns after catching 40 passes for 371 yards and four TDs in 2016. Jayce Rogers and Tyler Berrian, are expected to flip from offense to defense this season. 

The Wildcats constructed depth in their backfield this summer. Running backs include Mosley, Kevin Farr Jr., Jeremiah Proctor and James Perry. The offensive line set to protect it all is largely inexperienced and untested.

All-State performer Zakoby McClain returns at linebacker to lead Valdosta’s defense. Rogers, Berrian and Jalen Everett are set to take charge in the secondary. The defensive line, much like Valdosta’s offensive line, is full of inexperienced players looking to grow throughout the season ahead.

“They’re fast,” McPherson said of the Wildcats’ defensive players. “We’re going to have to maintain blocks, know our assignments. They look like every Valdosta defense I’ve seen since I’ve been here: fast, physical, very well coached.”

STARTERS SET

The open starting positions on Lowndes’ offensive and defensive lines seem to be filled heading into the season opener. McPherson said seniors Derek Esquivel and Reggie Oxford are set to start alongside fellow seniors Palmer Henderson, Jalen Goss and Dalton Hall on the O-line. Osby, a sophomore, and senior transfer Jordan Deakoff are set to join seniors Walker Schwab and Mike Gentry as starting defensive linemen.

WELCOME TO WINNERSVILLE

Deakoff, who came to Lowndes from Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Fla., said he uncovered Lowndes’ rivalry with Valdosta through watching YouTube videos of previous games, including last season’s game at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

His most anticipated takeaway from his first Winnersville experience is a simple one.

“Getting the win. That’s Priority No. 1. That’s the whole reason why we come out here every day.”