Andy Harrison
Jaylin Carter gains yards for Lowndes. The Vikings have thrashed opponents all season long.

Becky Taylor/Valdosta Daily Times
Marquis Fennell has boosted Valdosta’s offense while his teammates have dealt with injuries.

VALDOSTA — It all comes down to this. Four local high school teams. All four are hopeful of a region or district title tonight.

Valdosta and Lowndes both have a shot at Region 1-6A in the Winnersville Classic at Martin Stadium. Valwood can win District 3-3A in a tiebreaker if it beats Tiftarea Academy on the road. Georgia Christian’s and Sherwood Christian’s meeting tonight in Albany for GIAA Region 2 8-man also brings together two teams with undefeated records.

Let the nail-biting begin.

Regardless of results, all four schools will play beyond this week in their respective state tournaments.

The Lowndes-Valdosta clash has the most moving parts. Valdosta’s is simplest: If they beat Lowndes, they win Region 1-6A. If Lowndes wins and Colquitt County loses (to Richmond Hill), it’s the Vikings. Should Lowndes win and Colquitt win, crown the Packers as 1-6A’s best.

Valwood’s defense of the district title in GIAA Class 3A is the most complicated. If they win over Tiftarea — the only undefeated team in District 3 at 3-0 — they force a three-way tie, with the Valiants, Tiftarea and Deerfield-Windsor all at 3-1.

Fortunately, while a district crown is important, potentially the bigger stakes are the power rankings. The top four seeds will host state games next week. Currently, No. 1 is Westfield, Valwood is No. 2, Tiftarea No. 3 and Deerfield No. 4.

Valwood is 1.3 ratings points behind the Hornets and Tiftarea is 1.6 behind the Valiants. Deerfield-Windsor is 4.5 behind Tiftarea. The top three seeds could still be shaken up with how Friday’s game plays out.

Georgia Christian-Sherwood is the simplest title to determine. The winner is the champ.

Valdosta is 39-23 in Winnersville games and are on a two-game win streak against the Vikings. That reversed a streak of five in-a-row from 2017-21.

Both teams enter 8-1, but the Vikes have been the hotter of the two. Since the region-opening loss to Colquitt, Lowndes has steamrolled their next three opponents and have one of the state’s best defenses, giving up a mere 12 points per game. Without the Packers contest, it drops to 8.6 points per game.

Valdosta’s last three weeks have been have been a sharp contrast. Injuries have decimated the ‘Cats’ offense. They’ve scored 35 points over their last three games after having only one game below 35 in their first five games. Defense is carrying Valdosta as they’ve held off both Colquitt and Tift despite a combined three touchdowns.

Valwood has had injury issues of its own, which will be tested by a relatively healthy Tiftarea. One year after going 3-8-1 (and two after a 1-9), the Panthers are 8-1 and outscoring opponents 34-17. Valwood is slightly better, with averages of 34-16.

Georgia Christian
Cason Evans and Davey Grizzle and Bo Miller stop a David Emanuel player in his tracks. Georgia Christian takes an undefeated record to Sherwood for the district title.

As for Georgia Christian, the Generals have been more than amazing. For all the mentions of defense by other teams, they have given up 19 points — total. Only one game has been decided by less than 28 points.

Sherwood has given up a few more points, but the Eagles have had a similar year. Only one of their contests has been closer than 42 points. The Eagles had trouble with Westwood, GCS with Fullington.

Playoffs will start for GIAA schools next week. Valdosta and Lowndes will both have a bye before state begins in the GHSA. Because of Hurricane Helene, the GHSA extended the regular season one week for schools needing extra time to make up games. Though majorly impacted by Helene, Region 1-6A was able to finish on time by using a bye week already built into their schedules.

When state does start, Region 1 will take on Region 5. North Cobb has clinched the Region 5 title. Walton is No. 2. North Paulding, Marietta, Cherokee and Wheeler are battling for the 3-4 seeds.