VALDOSTA— The Valdosta High School Wildcats will enter the 7-A Georgia High School Association football playoffs tonight as the second-ranked team in Region 1. They will face Archer High School (Lawrenceville), ranked fourth in Region 4 for their first playoff game this season at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
The Wildcats are 3-1 in the region with an overall record of 7-3. Although the Wildcats fell to the Colquitt County Packers on Oct. 27, 44-28, at Mack Tharpe Stadium they previously topped Lowndes (37-27) in September, Richmond Hill (24-14), and Camden County (24-21) in October.
In summarizing the season, head coach Shelton Felton said, “There’s been ups and downs emotionally, but we’re getting better every game.” Coach Felton also credits their success throughout the season to having a “Young and strong team.”
Felton has confidence in his young team in preparation for the first round, the first home playoff game in three years. “Defensively, it’s nothing we haven’t seen before,” he said. “The kids are hyped up.”
The Archer Tigers have a regional record of 3-2, with a decisive win over Brookwood High School (34-6) and close wins against Parkview, (28-27) and South Gwinnett (22-19). Archer lost its last two region games against Grayson (41-14) and Newton (47-14).
Felton said the Archer Tigers of 7-A Region 4 play in a tough region, but the Wildcats are ready for the 8 o’clock clash.