VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - You couldn't ask for a bigger game to start off the high school football season then the Winnersville Classic. A game for bragging rights between rivals Valdosta and Lowndes, a game so big, it sells out a week in advance, and it dates back to 1968.
Valdosta won the first nine games of the rivalry, and the Wildcats have prevailed the past two years. Head coach Alan Rodemaker quick to point out that when he arrived at Valdosta in 2010, they'd lost seven straight.
It's a tough battle for the two to kick off the season, but Lowndes head coach Randy McPherson said no matter when the game is played, it'll always be big, offense will always be at a premium, because in Winnersville, defense dominates.
"Lowndes has always played great defense, and historically, Valdosta back to 100 years has played great defense," said Rodemaker. "Traditionally since I've been here the last seven years, it's been lower scoring than most of our games. I hope it's the same way this year. I don't want to get in a scoring contest with them or anybody else."
"Defense is always important. If we play good defense, tackle well, cover well, that's going to be critical for the winner," agreed McPherson. "We still have a long way to go, it's still way early, but we're very excited about this game as always. Hopefully we can go over there and represent."
Friday night's Winnersville Classic kicks off at 8:00 at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia.
