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Lowndes Wins 3rd Straight Winnersville Classic 23-19
The 2006 Winnersville Classic was too close for comfort as the Vikings held off a determined Wildcat team to win 23-19 over their crosstown rivals.

The Cats came out strong, driving steadily downfield on their first possession. On the LHS 6, Michael Turner tossed a pitch to Alfrie Johnson, who threw a touchdown pass to Brian Mathis. The PAT was missed, giving Valdosta a 6-0 lead with 6:37 left in the opening quarter. Lowndes took no time at all to strike back, with Glisson tossing a beautiful 74-yard pass to Anderson for the touchdown on the next play. Matt Rowland sent the ball through the uprights to take back the lead, 7-6.

After forcing Valdosta to punt, Lowndes took over on their own 19. During the drive, Glisson completed a key 20-yard pass to Kelly Dawsey. Darriett Perry took the ball down to the VHS 28. Three plays later, Perry dashed 22 yards to the endzone for Lowndes’ second touchdown of the night. After a pair of penalties, Rowland was forced to kick the PAT from the 20 yard line, but the kick was good for the 14-6 score.

With the clock ticking down in the first half, both teams struggled with turnovers. The ball swapped possession four times in the next five plays.  Greg Reid made two interceptions, but a Lowndes interception and fumble ended Viking drives. Lowndes entered the locker room with an 8-point lead.

Lowndes received the ball to start off the second half, but couldn’t get anywhere on that drive. In the middle of the third, the Wildcat quarterback was sacked on their 9-yard line. The Viking defense continued to stuff Valdosta, forcing them to punt on 4th-and-19. Thanks to the defense, Lowndes received great field position on the Cats’ 45. Greg Reid took a pitch and raced downfield, breaking tackles en route to the endzone and a 20-6 lead. Rowland’s PAT was not good, and the Cats answered with a 57-yard touchdown run down the sidelines by Johnson. Valdosta closed to 20-13 after making the PAT.

On Valdosta’s next possession, Devaris Leonard sacked Turner on 1st-and-10. Turner’s next pass was picked off by Reid, his third interception on the night. Lowndes was held to 4th-and-6, so Rowland was sent on for the 28-yard field goal attempt. The kick was good, extending Lowndes’ lead to 10 points.

With 3:21 left in the game Valdosta started their drive on the VHS 41. Turner threw a pair of high-yardage passes to Tuzer Chism and Johnson, getting down to the one. Johnson rolled over the top for the touchdown, but the VHS kick fell short, so Lowndes still carried a 23-19 lead.

The Wildcat onside kick didn’t roll the full 10 yards, so Lowndes had the ball with 1:31 on the clock. To the shock of the Viking fans packed into Bazemore-Hyder stadium, the Vikings fumbled, giving Valdosta a chance to save the game with a last-minute comeback. Thankfully, the LHS defense held strong, sacking Turner several times. Valdosta’s most serious threat was stopped by Kelly Dawsey’s crushing hit on  Chism, knocking loose a certain reception inside the Viking 20. Lowndes broke up the Cat’s last ditch Hail Mary attempt to preserve their 23-19 Viking victory in the 2006 Winnersville Classic.