There are three things people in the South value more than anything else: family, God, and football. As the Winnersville Classic took place last Friday, we saw the best of South Georgia all in one night.
Lowndes was ranked No. 16 in the nation by MaxPreps going into the contest. The Concrete Curtain, one of the best defenses in the entire country, was looking for more dominance. Expectations were sky high for the Vikings after beating Miami Northwestern.
For the Valdosta Wildcats, the dominant team for many years, every game is a must watch. After defeating Colquitt County two weeks ago, they became the top team in Class 6A and have many believing in a state championship.
The rivalry runs deep, but it’s a rivalry of passion, never anger. Winnersville is a great showing for the community as families come together.
Approaching Martin Stadium last Friday night, you saw tailgate tents scattered across the parking lot and covering every available grassy surface. Inside the gates were the people of the community, decked out in their respective colors of yellow and crimson, enjoying food and celebrating the joyous occasion. Off of Joe Wilson Field, the Winnersville Classic more so resembled a holiday gathering with friends and neighbors than a football game.
Right before kickoff, everyone bowed his or her heads, and we stood together united in prayer. We prayed for the safety of our players, the joy of the competition, and the sanctity of the contest. It was as important to the community as everything else that night.
Our prayer was symbolic. It represented our community, our lifeblood and our culture – just like football. It didn’t matter who won or who lost in the end, but how a community came together.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation asked for the end of the pregame prayer. They cited discrimination and said that the school is imposing its religion on everyone in the stadium.
But the object of this argument is shortsighted and an argument of someone who has never attended a Lowndes football game. The prayer is as much a representation of our culture and community as anything else. It is never intended to push anyone away because of what they believe, but welcome anyone for who they are. The community stands and prays for safety and well-being, united.
Prayer has always been about togetherness, not discrimination. And the Lowndes County School Board made the right decision to keep the pregame prayer. If you walked around the stadium Friday night, you didn’t see anyone made uncomfortable by the prayer. You saw the joy and togetherness that we preach. That is what the game, and prayer, is all about.
We want to keep our prayer before games. It’s as much a tradition as the Winnersville Classic itself.
