The Valdosta Wildcats will host the Lowndes Vikings in the 51st installment of the “Winnersville Classic” on Friday night at Valdosta’s Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Valdosta edged out Lowndes last year for a 21-17 victory to snap a 7 game losing streak to the Vikings. Valdosta currently leads the all-time series 34-16. These 2 schools have combined to win 29 state championships and 51 region championships

MVP

Nick Burgman
Lowndes

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Andrew Morrison

Valdosta

This is Andrew’s first year playing football with the Wildcats. He start as defensive back for the team. He is also a 3-year letterman as a catcher for the Valdosta baseball team. Andrew is leading the seniors on the team with the highest GPA of a 91.98.
Gustavo Gonzales

Lowndes

Gustavo has played varsity football for one year as kicker as well as varsity soccer for 4 years. Gustavo is a member of the Key Club, the Math Honor Society, Environmental Club and is the president of the Spanish Honor Society. He is an active member at First Baptist Church. He holds a 102.167 GPA and will attend college in the fall of 2013 where he plans on majoring in engineering.

HALL OF FAME

Derek Shaw

Valdosta

Derek played defensive safety for the Valdosta Wildcats in 1984-1986. Of the 42 games played during those 3 years, Derek played 41 of them. Along the way, Derek helped Valdosta to win the 1984 and 1986 state and national championships. Derek played in the Valdosta/Lowndes rivalry game which spanned 5 games due to 2 playoff match-ups. Valdosta won 3 of the 5 games. During this time, Derek was once named the “Most Valuable Defensive Back”. Speaking of the rivalry, Derek said, “When you play that game it’s like a national championship game with the atmosphere and all. It is the one game that you really want to win that year. It is the game that stays with you forever.”
Kelvin Roberts

Lowndes

Kelvin played 3 years in the Lowndes-Valdosta rivalry, 1998-2000, in which Lowndes won 2 of the 3 games. In the 1999 victory, the Vikings were lead by Kelvin who recorded 4 sacks and lived in the Valdosta backfield. After graduation, Kelvin attended Reedley Jr. College in California before returning home to play for the hometown Blazers for 2 years, where he was a preseason All-American in 2006. Kelvin currently resided in Lake Park, GA.

GAME SUMMARY

It was a defensive battle for the majority of the game with a low-scoring outcome of 17-14, Lowndes. The final three points were scored on a field goal, kicked by the Rivalry Series Scholar Athlete, Gustavo Gonzales. The fans couldn't have been more into the game or invested in the outcome of the game, which favored Lowndes.

GAME GALLERY