Region 1-6A has proven that so far through the first two weeks of region play, trying to predict a clear cut favorite has been fairly unpredictable.
Prior to the season, and again just before the region portion of the 2025 schedule was set to begin, I was asked by several media outlets across the state and fans alike who I thought the favorite was in Region 1-6A.
My answer?
“It’s wide open.”
That’s exactly what it’s looking like after the first two weeks of region action.
Valdosta and Colquitt: Typical South Georgia Slobber-Knocker
Just when it looked like Valdosta was ready to assume full control after their region opener blasting of Camden County, the Wildcats of Shelton Felton took a step backwards with a one-point loss against the Colquitt County Packers. Valdosta is now 1-1 in the region.
It seems the home field advantage of Mack Tharpe stadium once again played havoc as it often does against visiting teams, and this time it was with the visitors from Titletown as a combination of the crowd noise and Wildcat mistakes proved too much to overcome on Friday night.
The Packers took advantage and pulled out an 18-17 victory that puts the Pack of Sean Calhoun right back in the race in the region at 1-1.
I had said prior to the season that I thought the Colquitt vs Lowndes game was a “make or break” game for Calhoun and the Packers.
My thought was that Colquitt could not afford to lose that game with Valdosta looming the next week.
Turns out it was the Valdosta vs Colquitt game that turned out to be the make or break game.
A loss by Colquitt County would have put the chances of a fourth-straight region title in dire straits.
Impossible?
No.
But staring at an 0-2 start in Region 1-6A with a must-win situation staring the Pack right in the face would not have been ideal.
But they don’t have to worry about that anymore.
Richmond Hill Facing Biggest Test So Far
When Richmond Hill moved from Region 2-6A to what was then Region 1-7A in 2022, they finished at the bottom of the region standings with an 0-4 region record. They improved to 1-3 the next season, and made the playoffs as the number 4 seed. Then, last year, in 2024, they again improved their stock overall and in the region, finishing 7-3 overall with a 2-3 region record.
Now, here are the Wildcats under Matt Lezotte, not only continuing to show improvement, but they find themselves tied for the region lead with Lowndes at 2-0 in region play, and with a 6-1 overall record.
The Wildcats of Matt Lezotte defeated Tift County in the region opener by a 35-10 final, then followed that up with a 24-20 win against Camden County this past week. The win over Camden County was made that much more improbable due to Richmond Hill having 9 starters out for the game.
While those were solid wins for the Wildcats from Bryan County, their biggest test of the season will come this week as they make the long road trip across the state to Valdosta to take on the ‘Cats.
Last season, Richmond Hill shocked everyone when they hosted an undefeated Valdosta squad who was 7-0 and were 2-0 after their first two region contests, and beat them by three touchdowns 35-14.
This time, the stakes are even higher for both teams. A win by Richmond Hill continues the progress of the program under Lezotte, and gives them the credibility that the program has been working towards since they joined the region in 2022.
It will put them at the very least in a tie at the top of the region, and depending on what happens between Lowndes and Camden County, we could be looking at Richmond Hill all alone at the top of the region standings and all but guarantee the Wildcats a home playoff game in their brand new stadium.
Lezotte isn’t looking that far ahead, however. When asked about the upcoming contest against Valdosta, the Richmond Hill head coach said this one isn’t any more important than any of the other region games.
“Honestly, every single game this week in this region is big for every single team,” Lezotte told me. “Some games potentially bump people out of playoff contention, and some are, like you said, for remaining undefeated in region play.”
But, Lezotte revealed that so far, his team’s first two region wins have indeed meant a lot more than just placing his team at the top of the region standings.
“Since we’ve been in this region, we have not won a road game or beat Camden, so we have checked both those boxes so far this year,” he admits.
“Valdosta is a very tough place to play against what is possibly the best team in our region. So, as we continue to grow as a school and as a community, we will continue to embrace the opportunities that we have to go play these meaningful games on Friday nights,” Lezotte said.
It’s hard to imagine not pulling for Coach LeZotte and Richmond Hill.
Unless you’re their next victim.
Lowndes Takes Full Advantage of Home Cooking So Far in 2025
Vikings will play final three games on the road
While everyone’s talking about the Wildcats of Richmond Hill, Lowndes is putting together their best season under Adam Carter. The Vikings are 7-0 and 2-0 in Region 1-6A, and while the surge may not be quite as surprising as what Richmond Hill has done, there were many fans that thought 2025 may be a struggle.
Including their head coach.
“2025 will be a challenge (for us)”, Carter told me when I interviewed him for our ITG Next Georgia Lowndes Football Preview.
“We lost all but five touchdowns on offense, and 10 of 11 starters on defense,” Carter also said, reminding us of the losses to graduation that he and his staff would be facing with the current Lowndes team.
Yet, here they are with seven straight wins to start the season, including back to back region wins over Colquitt County and Tift County.
The Vikings have taken advantage of playing every game at Martin Stadium so far this season, so all eyes will be on Lowndes as they now hit the road for their final three games of the season, starting with a road trip to Kingsland this week to take on the Camden County Wildcats, who are still looking for their first region win of the year.
Next week, Lowndes will travel to Richmond Hill for what could be the game that decides who sits alone at the top of the region, followed by the regular season finale in what may be the biggest Winnersville Classic that Winnersville has experienced in a while.
Tift County Improved but Still Seeking First Region Win
Tift County High School Football has made great strides since Jeff Littleton took over as head coach of the Blue Devils two seasons ago. The team has improved in all areas, and it’s obvious to anyone who has followed the Tift program.
The fans have returned, with large crowds turning out to support the Blue Devils at home and at away games.
From where the Blue Devils were before Littleton, and where they are now is undeniable.
After starting the season with 3 wins in their first four games, their best start to a season since 2021, Tift has lost three in a row, including their two region contests where the offense sputtered.
Tift lost to Richmond Hill 35-10 and were shutout tjis past week at Lowndes by a 35-0 final.
The Blue Devils are 3-4 and 0-2 in Region 1-6A.
The Devils have three games remaining in their 2025 season, and are hoping to find the magic that the team started the season with.
I’m reminded of one of Coach Littleton’s favorite sayings that has paved the way in his successful career.
“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
Tift County fans are hoping their team can finish strong.
