The “Winnersville Classic” in Valdosta between Valdosta and Lowndes was a highly anticipated game in Lowndes County. Lowndes entered the game with a six-game winning streak.

MVP

Cole Parker
Lowndes

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

James Eunice

Valdosta

James is a two-year letterman with the football team and a four-year letterman on the baseball team. He is involved with Valdosta FCA, Boys’ State, and Crosspointe Baptist Church. James plans to attend the University of Georgia next year. He is pictured with his parents, John and Tammy.
Cole Parker

Lowndes

Cole is a two-year starter and letter winner on the football team. He also plays baseball and will be a varsity pitcher for the third year. Cole is a member of FCA, Key Club, Beta Club, and the youth group at Perimeter Road Baptist Church. After high school, he plans to pursue a college degree in business management. He is pictured with his parents, Steven and Debby.

HALL OF FAME

Burke Holtzclaw

Valdosta

Undefeated against the Vikings from the 7th grade on, Burke scored the first time he touched the ball on a 59-yard TD run as a seventh grader in a game vs. the Vikings. His junior year, he started at wide receiver and caught a TD pass at Martin Stadium. And in his senior year, he started at quarterback and led the Wildcats to a 28-7 victory over Lowndes as well as 1984 state and national championships.
Cedric Jones

Lowndes

Cedric played in the rivalry for three years, encompassing five games. In the 1980 Region Championship, Cedric gained 155 yards on 28 carries and scored the only touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter for a 6-0 Viking victory. Led by Jones, the Vikings would win their first state championship in 1980. For his career, Jones would gain 2,913 yards and still holds the Viking record for most rushing yards in a game with 234 and in a season with 2,067.

GAME SUMMARY

Valdosta scored first, but Lowndes quickly answered with a touchdown of their own. Prior to halftime, Valdosta moved the ball quickly downfield with some passing and rushing plays and went into the halftime up 14-7. The third quarter remained the same with much of the excitement occurring in the fourth quarter. With just six minutes remaining, Valdosta had some costly offensive errors, including two interceptions, which resulted in a final score of 24-17.

GAME GALLERY