VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - The Valdosta Wildcats had one heck of a season in 2016. They became the first high school program to reach 900 wins, and won their first Region title since 2011. The Cats capped all that off by winning their 24th State Championship.
The Wildcats lose fourteen starters off that team, but return a lot of talent. Athlete and West Virginia commit Jayce Rogers, linebacker Zakoby McClain, as well as Hunter Holt at quarterback, who was the Wildcats leading rusher last season. Holt threw for nearly 1100 yards as a dual threat quarterback.
The pressure to win another title for these players? It's there, but when you live in Winnersville, trophies are always the expectation.
"I think the whole thing about winning a State Championship is I think it's made our kids more hungry to want to be a part of this program," said head coach Alan Rodemaker. "Even though it was 18 years since we won our last State Championship, most of the coaches that we were going against, the officials, and the fans remember the great Valdosta teams. I think that target has always been on our back and we embrace that."
The Wildcats kick off thei 2017 campaign in August 18th against rival Lowndes.
