Summary of last season:
It was a great year for Vidalia in 2016. Led by All-American linebacker Nate McBride, the Indians finished the regular season with only two losses: to AAAA West Laurens and to eventual AA state champion Benedictine. Along the way they got wins over Dodge, Appling, Metter and then Region 2-AA foes Bacon, Jeff Davis, Swainsboro, Toombs and Bryan. Vidalia was ranked in the top 10 all season and made it to the state playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. The Indians downed Laney in the first round and got to the second round where they fell to Rabun County.
The Coach:
Coach Lee Chomskis has been the Head Coach at Vidalia since 2007. This is his 11th year with the Indians and they have been to the playoffs in seven of his 10 seasons, including a quarterfinal appearance in 2014. Coach Chomskis has a 62-percent winning percentage as a head coach. He started coaching as an assistant at Hephzibah High School, then went on to Burke County and Screven County. After a two-year stint as head coach at Evans High School, he was an assistant at Mary Persons and then Lincoln County, where he won a state title in 2005.
Outlook for this season?
All-American Nate McBride has graduated and is now in Athens playing on Saturdays. Coach Chomskis is optimistic but guarded about the upcoming year with only six starters returning. “The 2017 season will be one of rebuilding,” he said. “We will have several holes to fill. There will be several players with very little experience expected to play. We will need great leadership and must grow up in a hurry if we expect to compete in Region 2AA.”
Several seniors will step into starter roles this season for the Indians.
Big games this year:
“Every game we play is a big game. We can’t afford to look ahead or behind,” said Coach Chomskis.
After opening at home against Dodge County, the Indians go on the road for three weeks, only to return home to play defending state champion Benedictine on September 22. The Big Game this season is the cross-county rivalry against Toombs County. This year it will be played in the friendly confines of Buck Cravey Stadium.
SE-SF-0817-Vidalia
Indians Will Be Rebuilding
