We are counting down the days until the 65th meeting of the annual Valdosta-Lowndes rivalry, known to high school football fans as the Winnersville Classic.
In anticipation of this annual game, which is part of the Great American Rivalry Series, ITG Next thought it would be a good time to look back at the history of the rivalry and size up the two teams with a statistical comparison.
We’ll even have a little fun comparing the stadiums and mascots. We’ll take a look at the overall win totals for each team in the series, home-field advantage, key position comparisons, and a few other points of interest about the rivalry from the first game between the two schools right up to this year’s matchup on Oct. 30.
Valdosta vs. Lowndes: The Mascots
Lowndes: Vikings
What’s a Viking? Comparisons are often made with pirates, who raided ships on the open sea. However, Vikings were also craftsmen, farmers, traders, explorers, and skilled warriors. The Viking is perceived as a fighter with a sense of adventure.
Valdosta: Wildcats
Wildcats are wild felines and natural predators that survive by hunting prey.
Advantage: Even
Valdosta vs. Lowndes: The Stadiums
Lowndes: Martin Stadium
- Also known as the Concrete Palace
- Capacity: Approximately 12,000
Valdosta: Bazemore-Hyder Stadium
- Also known as Death Valley
- Capacity: Approximately 11,000
Advantage: Even
Winnersville Classic History: How the Valdosta-Lowndes Rivalry Began
While Valdosta High School has been playing football since 1913, Lowndes first fielded a football program in 1968. That season marked the first meeting between the two teams.
With Valdosta having a 55-year head start, the Wildcats not only won that first game against Lowndes, but the early years of the series were dominated by Valdosta.
That all changed in 1977. It was the second season for Lowndes head coach Joe Wilson, a former Valdosta assistant coach who had left the Wildcats to take the Lowndes job in 1976.
Wilson led Lowndes to a 7-2 win, a monumental moment for the Vikings program that became known as “7 to 2 We Beat Belue.” That would be legendary Valdosta quarterback Buck Belue.
How the Winnersville Classic Got Its Name
While the two teams have been playing since 1968, the game did not become known as the Winnersville Classic until 1981.
In 1977, Valdosta Daily Times sports editor Mike Chason wrote about the success of the local sports scene and used the term “Winnersville” to describe Valdosta.
In 1981, following Lowndes’ 1980 state championship, local businessman Johnny B. Lastinger acknowledged both the longtime success of the Wildcats and the recent state title won by the rival Vikings. During a local Chamber of Commerce meeting with supporters of both teams in attendance, Lastinger proposed a show of community unity and called that year’s annual meeting between Valdosta and Lowndes the Winnersville Classic.
The name stuck, and the game took on a whole new identity beginning with the 1981 contest.
Valdosta vs. Lowndes All-Time Series Record
According to the Great American Rivalry Series, which showcases some of the top high school football rivalries around the country, Valdosta has won 40 games, while Lowndes has won 24 in the overall series as the two teams head into the 2026 matchup.
A Look at the Past 10 Years: 2016-2025
Although Valdosta leads the overall series, Lowndes has held the edge over the past 10 meetings with a 6-4 record.
Valdosta Wins From 2016-2025
- 2016
- 2022
- 2023
- 2025
Lowndes Wins From 2016-2025
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2024
Who Has the Home-Field Advantage in the Winnersville Classic?
Overall, Lowndes is 15-18 against Valdosta at home, and Valdosta is 22-9 against Lowndes at home.
Over the last 10 years, Lowndes has won 4-of-6 home games, and Valdosta has won 3-of-4 home games.
Players to Watch: Which Team Has the Edge at Each Position?
Quarterback
Valdosta’s Tripp Perry vs. Lowndes’ Jayce Johnson
Pick: Even
Running Backs
Valdosta’s Deron Foster and Marquis Fennell vs. Lowndes’ Mason Woods
Pick: Valdosta
Wide Receivers
Valdosta’s Jamarian Mingo and Marquis Fennell vs. Lowndes’ Kaevone Thomas and Waylon Weidinger
Pick: Valdosta
Defensive Backs
Valdosta’ AJ Hill vs. Lowndes’ Nick Booker
Pick: Valdosta
Offensive Line
Pick: Lowndes
Defensive Line
Pick: Lowndes
2026 Season Comparison Through 8 Games
Points Scored
- Valdosta: 396
- Lowndes: 316
Points Allowed
- Lowndes: 42
- Valdosta: 126
Overall Record
- Lowndes: 8-0
- Valdosta: 8-0
Region Record
- Lowndes: 2-0
- Valdosta: 2-0
Strength of Schedule Comparison
- Lowndes opponents’ winning percentage: .475
- Valdosta opponents’ winning percentage: .719
2026 Winnersville Classic: Date, Time, and Location
Location: Martin Stadium, Valdosta, Georgia
Date: Oct. 30, 2026
Time: 8 p.m.
