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Note: Statistics for the 1992 Valdosta team were compiled by Ryan Sanderson as part of a project to gather information on Georgia state championship teams of the past 35 years for the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Any help in locating statistics or box scores for other Valdosta state champions would be greatly appreciated. You can reach the author of this report at ryans@valdostawildcats.com.

Season Recap

The Latest and Greatest:

1992 Valdosta Wildcats -

State and National Champs

"In muscle and size, this team may not compare to some;' said Valdosta High Head Coach Nick Hyder immediately after his Wildcat charges topped Clarke Central 17- 14 for the 1992 Georgia AAAA State title. "But you can't measure heart. They have an awful lot of that. I couldn't be prouder of this team'."

That succinct statement best sums up the key ingredient behind Valdosta High School's 22nd state title, and third in the last four seasons. Hard work, proper direction, and dedication can in many ways prepare an individual or team to get to a championship level of play. But to win it all, it takes something else. And the 1992 Wildcats, an overachieving group of student athletes who labored in the shadows of so many great squads before them, found that "something else:' heart, which enabled them to win not only another state crown for the black and gold, but a sixth national title as well.

Hopes were once again high as another Wildcat team broke camp in August of 1992. But along with those hopes was a great deal of pressure on the young Wildcatters, pressure for the most part self-imposed. The 1991 edition, as talented a group as ever to take to the gridiron of Cleveland Field, had their season cut short by the national championship bound LaGrange Grangers. And the upperclassmen who returned in '92 were determined not to allow that to happen again. But with a tougher schedule and a decided lack of depth at several positions, no amount of hope could alter the fact that a return to the title game would not be easy.

Chris Beckham, sports editor of the Valdosta Daily Times, along with beat writer Len Robbins, witnessed the Wildcat march to the championship game. And in a special edition of that newspaper on December 19, 1992, they collaborated to describe the path by which VHS again returned to the mountaintop of Georgia prep football. That account follows.

VALDOSTA 39, RICHMOND ACADEMY 7:
The Wildcats started the year with a bang as they blew out the Musketeers from Richmond Academy at Cleveland Field. The score was close at halftime as Valdosta held a 14-7 lead. But quarterback Steven Everson hit John Bell with a 30-yard touchdown, added a 42-yard score to Chris Rockey and ran in a 24-yard touchdown in the third quarter to put the game away.

Everson also ran for a 10-yard touchdown in the opening period and hit Bell with a 15 -yard score in the second period to build the first half lead. Everson finished his senior debut with 57 yards on 11 carries and he completed five of seven passes for 103 yards. Bell had three catches for 73 yards.

Richmond's C.J. Hardwick scored on an 11 -yard run with 6:19 left in the second period. It would be the last time Valdosta would allow an offensive touchdown until the ninth game of the year.

VALDOSTA 21, CAMDEN COUNTY 0:
The Wildcats got an early look at a Camden County squad that spent most of the season ranked in the Class AAAA Top 10. The Wildcats scored all of their points before halftime as the `other' Wildcats kept up with Valdosta in the second half in a clash at Cleveland Field.

Senior Alfred Barnes went over from 1 -yard out in the first quarter while Tommy Speed and Everson each added 1 -yard touchdowns in the second quarter. The game was the first of two all season that Valdosta would be outgained in the yardage columns as the St. Mary's bunch totalled 231 total yards to Valdosta's 177.

Barnes led the rushing attack with 45 yards on six carries while Everson completed seven of 11 passes for 75 yards. Five of those passes went to tight end Shadrick Green for 60 yards.

VALDOSTA 35, CEDAR SHOALS 0:
The Wildcats blitzed the visitors from Athens with 21 second - quarter points to build a 28-0 lead at halftime. Cedar Shoals couldn't find a crack in the Valdosta defense, gaining only 102 yards throughout the evening.

Bell caught a 17-yard pass from Everson for the game's first score but Barnes scored in the second quarter to put the Cats up by 14. Speed had a 3-yard touchdown run and Green caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Everson for the big halftime lead. Bell added a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Barnes led Valdosta with 48 yards rushing on eight attempts while Everson completed 10 of 17 passes for 114 yards and no interceptions. Green had another big night, bringing down four catches for 60 yards.

VALDOSTA 31, COLUMBIA HIGH 7:
The Wildcats travelled below the Georgia -Florida line to prove why they were ranked number one in Georgia's Class AAAA poll as they defeated the Lions handily in Lake City. Again, Valdosta scored 28 points in the first two quarters to secure the win early.
The only thing that broke up the Wildcats' shutout was a blocked punt by Columbia that was run back for a touchdown. However, the Valdosta defense's string of quarters without allowing a touchdown was lengthened by four.

David Williams had the biggest night of his career as he ran for 131 yards on 15 carries, including a 40 -yard touchdown and a 1 -yarder. The total was the most any Wildcat running back gained in one game during the year. Speed added touchdown runs of 12 and 17 yards and Ryan Sanderson booted his first field goal of the year in the fourth quarter, good from 26 yards out.

VALDOSTA 35, GLEN MILLS 0:
A heavily - watched matchup of north versus south gave Valdosta the stage and they performed well against this prep school from Pennsylvania. The Wildcats scored touchdowns in all four quarters of the game and dominated the contest from the start at Cleveland Field.

Williams scored on runs of 2 and 11 yards for a 14-0 lead and Nakia McMullen caught a 68-yard bomb from Everson for a 21-0 lead at the half. In the third quarter, Everson added a 7-yard touchdown run and linebacker Marcus Williams returned a Glen Mills fumble 34 yards for a score.

The Valdosta linebacker also put a vicious hit on Glen Mills' highly-touted running back Chris Dickerson that knocked the senior out of the game.

David Williams ran for 49 yards on nine tries while Everson was near perfect, completing eight of 10 passes for 149 yards. Bell caught five of those for 32 yards.

VALDOSTA 13, BAINBRIDGE 7:
After two weeks of dominating out-of-state competition, the Wildcats were reminded of how tough business is in the Region 1-AAAA by winning a squeaker at Bainbridge.

The Bearcats got on the board first when linebacker Davarrio Worthy returned one of seven Wildcat fumbles 35 yards for the game's first touchdown. Everson tied the game later in the first period on a 17 yard run and Tommy Speed gave Valdosta the go -ahead touchdown in the second period on a 35-yard run.

While Bainbridge's defense was tough, their offense had no success against the Wildcat defense which ran its scoreless streak to 22 consecutive quarters. Bainbridge gained 64 total yards in the game.

Speed led the Wildcat rushers with 75 yards on nine carries as Valdosta gained 179 of their 197 total yards on the ground.

VALDOSTA 24, COLQUITT COUNTY 0:
The Valdosta defense jumped all over the 1991 state runners - up in Moultrie. Packer fumbles keyed early Valdosta scores as Everson scored from 10 yards out and passed to Green for a 10 yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead. Ryan Sanderson drilled a 29 yard field goal for a 17-0 lead at halftime.

Valdosta waited until the final period to seal the win as Everson hit Robert Randolph with a 3 yard touchdown pass.

Everson was 10 of 16 for 85 yards on the night while Speed led the Wildcat rushers with 33 yards on eight carries. Bell had the second-biggest night of his senior campaign with six catches for 43 yards.

VALDOSTA 31, TIFT COUNTY 3
The Wildcats travelled to the Devils Den for this annual war and won the game easily, scoring 14 points in the third quarter to stretch a 10-3 halftime lead.

Senior receiver Chris Rockey was the hot man this night as he caught four passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Everson hit Rockey in the second quarter with a 13 yard pass but the gamebreaker was a 70 yard bomb in the third quarter. Sanderson, who became a consistently bigger factor as the season wore on, booted a 38 yard field goal, safety Jason Jelks had a 22 yard interception return and Williams scored on a 1 yard run.

Valdosta piled up 410 yards of total offense as Williams rushed for 86 on 11 carries, followed closely by McMullen's 73 on five carries.

VALDOSTA 13, COFFEE 10:
The Wildcats got their biggest scare of the season as a determined bunch of Trojans came to Cleveland Field seeking Coffee's first-ever win against Valdosta.

With a 10-0 halftime lead, Coffee let Valdosta back in the game in the third quarter when Sanderson hit a 25 yard field goal and Everson scored on a 4 yard run to tie the game. Sanderson hit the eventual game -winner with 6:49 left in the fourth on a 33 yard field goal.

Coffee had a long drive with time winding down but a fumble deep inside Wildcat territory ended the upset bid. Everson rushed for 87 yards with Speed adding 46 and Bell had four catches for 25 yards.

But the big night was had by Coffee receiver Johnny McFatten who had six catches for 131 yards including a 65 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter which ended the Valdosta scoreless quarter streak at 30 quarters. Overall, Coffee gained 353 yards to Valdosta's 212.

VALDOSTA 31, LOWNDES 0:
The Wildcats completed a perfect regular-season with an easy win over their crosstown rival at Cleveland Field a 21 -point second quarter put Valdosta ahead for good with a 24-0 halftime lead.

Sanderson had a 33 yard field goal to start the first -half scoring barrage and Williams added a 5 yard run for a 10-0 lead. Speed scored on a 3 yard plunge and Everson went in from the 1 for a big lead at the half. McMullen scored on a 3 yard run in the third quarter.

Valdosta rushed for 280 yards against the Vikings with Speed having the biggest night of his year with 122 yards on 15 carries.

VALDOSTA 18, GRIFFIN 6:
After a week off, Valdosta began their postseason run with a fine defensive performance against the Bears at Cleveland Field.
The Wildcats got a 20 yard Sanderson field goal and a 7 yard touchdown run by Everson to build a 10-0 lead against Griffin. After Griffin made 10-6 in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from quarterback Tommy Willis to receiver Thaddeus Shannon, Everson took matters into his own hands again by scoring on a 5 yard run and making the two-point conversion run.

MuMullen led Valdosta with 73 yards on 13 carries while Everson completed four of six passes for 24 yards.

VALDOSTA 17, NORTHSIDE-WARNER ROBINS 7:
Valdosta's offense exploded for 17 points in the second quarter and that would be all they would need for this playoff win at Cleveland Field.

Sanderson's 29 yard field goal, Speed's 1 yard run and Everson's 6 yard run all put the Eagles on the ropes at halftime and they never recovered. The Eagles got their only touchdown of the game with 49 seconds left to play.

Everson led Valdosta with 65 yards on 12 carries and he completed six of nine passes for 111 yards. Rockey led the receivers with three catches for 52 yards.

VALDOSTA 10, DUNWOODY 0:
In the Class AAAA, state semifinals at Cleveland Field, the Wildcats earned another berth in the state championship with this shutout of the Wildcats from Atlanta.

Sanderson extended his streak to seven consecutive games with a field goal as he nailed a 25 yarder in the first period. But that was all the offense either team would muster for the next two periods.

Finally in the fourth quarter, Everson hit Green on a 45 yard pass play for a touchdown to give the home Cats a comfortable lead.

Everson led the way with 41 yards on 13 carries while Barnes added 32.

VALDOSTA 17, CLARKE CENTRAL 14:
For the state title game, the Wildcats faced a monumental challenge from one of the premier programs in the Southeastern U.S., the Gladiators of Clarke Central High. Billy Henderson's team arrived at Cleveland Field sporting a deceptive 12-2-0 record, but having won ten games in a row.

The '92 championship game was special, of course, to the players, coaches, and fans from Valdosta and Athens. But the championship tilt was also important as it became the first in Georgia to be televised live, statewide, by WXIA-TV, Atlanta. With Randy Waters, Fred Kalil, and Joe Washington providing coverage, the entire state witnessed the Wildcat tradition at its best as VHS fought back from 0- 14 to win 17- 14 over a fired up Clarke Central squad before 11,500 fans.

The Gladiators struck early, scoring on a 48 yard run by Ricky Smith to lead 6-0 over the host Wildcats at the 6:12 mark of the first quarter. Matt McNeil provided the PAT to make it 7-0. Smith's run stunned the Wildcat faithful as he broke several seemingly sure tackles along the way to paydirt.

Less than four minutes later, Clarke hit again, this time on a Rip Kendrick 21 yard rush. The score was set up by a VHS fumble at mid - field, and McNeil again kicked the PAT.

The second score further deflated VHS fans, but provided impetus for the black and gold warrior on the field. The Cats at that point were a single score from being blown out. Instead, VHS coaches and players simply considered themselves only a single score from being back in the game.

On their next possession, the Wildcat Go-Team, with Steven Everson directing, responded. With Alfred Barnes, Tommy Speed, David Williams, Nakia McMullen, and Everson rushing, and timely passes to John Bell, Tim White and Chris Rockey, VHS drove 67 yards to the CCHS 15 yard line. But there, a 32 yard field goal attempt by Ryan Sanderson sailed low and wide to kill the drive.

Other squads would have quit right then and there. But not the Valdosta Wildcats.

The VHS defense, hurt early, provided the necessary spark just seconds later. At the 7:40 mark of the second period, linebacker Marcus Williams covered a CCHS fumble at their 25 yard line. A face mask penalty, and an Everson to McMullen pass set up the Cats at the ten. There the VHS quarterback showed why he is so highly regarded by his teammates as he slanted to his right and broke two tackles for a diving score. Sanderson's kick cut the margin to 7- 14, Clarke, with 6:45 to play in the half.

Wildcat defenders Donald Hitson, Brinson Barker, Levalis Paul, Sebastian Davis, Franklin Wiseman, Troy Brown, Jason Jelks, Sam Thomas, Jerald Davis, DeAnthony Rountree and Williams then took control of play. Performing in their best contest of the season, they forced CCHS down and out in three plays following the touchdown to allow the VHS offense to return to the field.

Again, the Everson-directed offense responded. Operating behind the pass blocking of Kris Gingrow, Jesse Hunter, Brad Grant, Allen Holt, Andy Harrison, and Shad Green, the Cats drove to the five of their opposition where Sanderson booted a 22 yarder to make the tally 10- 14. The 68 yard drive included several key conversion plays, most importantly a fourth down Everson to Bell pass to keep the drive alive at mid -field.

The third period was all defense with neither team threatening, but as that stanza wound down the Cats began their final scoring drive. It was not pretty, sort of a two - steps - forward - one - step - back type of advance, but it was effective. Beginning at midfield, VHS haltingly drove to the Clarke 13. From there, McMullen followed his blocking to blast into paydirt to make the game 16- 14. Sanderson again kicked the extra point, and for the first time all night the host Cats held a slim lead with 11 minutes remaining.

But Coach Henderson's charges were by no means finished. Using every second of those 11 minutes, the Gladiators drove 73 yards to the VHS six where the Dosta defenders finally halted their momentum. McNeil was called on to try a field goal from that point, in order to force the contest into a tie to give Clarke a share of the state crown. The CCHS kicker's boot had plenty of distance, but cork - screwed beyond the left upright to end the threat and the state championship game.

Every Wildcat player was a hero on December 19, 1992, but of special note was the contribution of Everson. The senior leader was 13 of 19 passing for 95 yards and no interceptions. He also rushed for 78 yards, every one important to the Wildcat success. Bell also had a great night, snagging eight passes for 65 yards. Every VHS receiver and rusher provided plus yardage on the evening and the offensive line play was the most inspired of the year.

On defense, the black and gold stop 'em crew recovered from their early misfortunes to shut the Gladiator offense down for two and one half quarters, just long enough for the Go-Cats to seize control.

At the conclusion of that championship contest, and his career, Everson said it best; "You couldn't have had a better script;' he said. "It was a story book ending. I'm just going to savor this moment right now'."