HawgGoneIt Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 http://www.moultrieobserver.com/news/ga_fl_news/competition-heats-up-during-valdosta-s-acclimation-period/article_23508fa0-4a21-5739-ad47-6edfeda33e6c.html Competition heats up during Valdosta's acclimation period By Derrick Davis derrick.davis@gaflnews.com 21 hrs ago VALDOSTA — Since Alan Rodemaker was hired as Valdosta High's head coach last February, the mandate has been simple: compete. Wednesday, on the second day of acclimation, the Wildcats carried out the directive during a team drill that got so voracious Rodemaker had to stop practice for a moment to tell his players to bring it down a notch as to prevent any injuries when touch football turned a little too aggressive. But to getting the team to consistently show its competitive fire has been a work in progress this summer, so Rodemaker has reached back into the annals of Valdosta High football for a way to spark the Wildcats' workouts. “Back in the day, Valdosta, for probably 100 years, has played ‘make five; take five,’ and that’s what we’re trying to do in the summer,” Rodemaker said. “Years ago, they’d start on the goal line and if the offense gained five yards, they’d move the ball to the 5-yard line. If they gained more than five, then they can move it to the 10. “Every time they didn’t gain five, they’d move it backwards, and a lot of the times they’d sit on the goal line for long time because five yards is tough to get with all the great Valdosta defenses they had here. We’re trying to play that as much as we can in the summer, and it puts a little stress on the offense because five yards is tough to get…” In Tuesday's competition, the offense won going away. Wednesday, Valdosta's defense stiffened up and made a fight out of it. Senior quarterback Hunter Holt hit a receiver in stride on a go route down the right sideline for a touchdown, and senior running back Kevin Farr Jr. found a seam on a carry and outraced the defense to the house for another score, but aside from those two plays, the Wildcats' offense struggled to move the ball against a swarming defense in the first session. Ultimately, the defensive players took a quick breather on the sideline as a reward for winning the first battle while the offensive players ran sprints. When the competition reconvened for the second session, Valdosta's defense kept its foot on the gas as sophomore linebacker Jaheim Bell read a screen and dashed into the backfield to break up the pass, just as it reached its intended target — a play that elicited loud cheers and congratulatory celebrations from defensive players and coaches alike. And while the Wildcats' offense did produce a few highlight plays, a long catch-and-run touchdown by junior running back Rajae’z Mosley for one, the defense came out on top again, forcing their offensive counterparts to run one last set of sprints to wrap up the workout period. Through the first two days of acclimation, Rodemaker views the back-and-forth between both sides of the ball as a positive step. “We’re not always the biggest, strongest fastest, but we’ll compete,” Rodemaker said. “I wasn’t sure this team was to the level, as a matter of fact, I didn’t think all summer they were to the level of past teams in their competition, but we’re learning. “Hopefully that’s a good sign for things to come.” The Wildcats continue it's five-day acclimation period with another workout today, after which the team will be treated to a lunch at Mama June's courtesy the joint efforts of restaurant owner Pat O'Neal and the Valdosta Touchdown Club. After a pair of days off Friday and Saturday, the Wildcats will take the field against Sunday evening, once Valdosta is finished moving its players into the high school's gymnasium for the start of the team's training camp. Following the Sunday workout, the Wildcats will engage in character talk before lights out and returning to the practice field at 6 a.m. Monday for its final acclimation workout. Monday afternoon will consist of meetings leading up to Valdosta’s “Meet the ‘Cats” event at 8 p.m. and padded “Midnight Madness” practice at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. “To me, I think you make your football team at camp,” Rodemaker said. “So next week will be a great week for us to grow.” Derrick Davis is the sports editor at the Valdosta Daily Times. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rufus69 Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 Never, Never, Never, Never, Never............count out the Cats. Like Coach Rod said.....They will compete. They may not win...but they will NOT quit. Rufus>> 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawgGoneIt Posted July 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 I like the little tid bit about the make 'em take 'em drill they run. Make five, take five. Cool stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_e Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 2 hours ago, GardenStateBaller said: The Valdosta AD and I are getting closer by the day. I've promised to put his beloved 'Cats in a position to makes major OOS waves in 2018. To be continued... A relevant team would be nice. Calquitt gets a green light and carefully chooses VM 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rufus69 Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 1 minute ago, old_e said: A relevant team would be nice. Calquitt gets a green light and carefully chooses VM 😂 I don't guess it matters that they called us. We simply said YES...at our place? And they said YES. But...what would I know about it? Rufus>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_e Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 4 minutes ago, Rufus69 said: I don't guess it matters that they called us. We simply said YES...at our place? And they said YES. But...what would I know about it? Rufus>> Are you sure. I didn't know that the IE had access to the 229. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belly Bob Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 It's unfortunate that Valdosta has become the stick that many of us use to beat back the ECHS's the board when they get a little carried away. Every program has a bad game or a disappointing loss on its resume. Most have a few of both. I hope it goes well for the Cats in 2017. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Consuela Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 18 minutes ago, GardenStateBaller said: STA, DBP, PC, BG and IMG have all done the same. But Rush failed to respond, which means NO. #CaliforniaDreaming Meester Rush...heee berry peeeky. Heee teel mee, Consuela deeee boosters dona wanna looser. Heeee alwae sae NO to Meester private skool. Meester Boosters teeel Meester Rush, yu better not looser to Meester Veesta Murieta. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FootballGuy Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 3 hours ago, Rufus69 said: Never, Never, Never, Never, Never............count out the Cats. Like Coach Rod said.....They will compete. They may not win...but they will NOT quit. Rufus>> Do you think Valdosta will repeat as champs again this year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FootballGuy Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 34 minutes ago, GardenStateBaller said: STA, DBP, PC, BG and IMG have all done the same. But Rush failed to respond, which means NO. #CaliforniaDreaming You really seem to have a personal vendetta against Rush... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rufus69 Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 57 minutes ago, FootballGuy said: Do you think Valdosta will repeat as champs again this year? Actually...I do not. Would love to see it though. Rufus>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FootballGuy Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 11 minutes ago, Rufus69 said: Actually...I do not. Would love to see it though. Rufus>> I can respect that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AztecPadre Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 Is valdusted the top team this year in all of ga or #2 again like last year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLien12x Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 34 minutes ago, AztecPadre said: Is valdusted the top team this year in all of ga or #2 again like last year? September 2016 Colquitt 45 Valdosta 24 November 2016 Grayson 49 Colquitt 21 (it was 49-7 Grayson in the 3rd quarter) and i know you know this it's for the others that don't 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECHS05 Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 4 hours ago, GardenStateBaller said: STA, DBP, PC, BG and IMG have all done the same. But Rush failed to respond, which means NO. #CaliforniaDreaming In 2014/2015? Rush played a preseason Top 10 AHP team last year ffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FootballGuy Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 1 hour ago, AztecPadre said: Is valdusted the top team this year in all of ga or #2 again like last year? Yep. Kinda like how cathedral catholic is the top team this year in all of cali. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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