We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Valdosta football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Wildcats this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 8-3
- Points Scored: 287
- Points Allowed:104
Key Losses
The ’Cats will lose a few key contributors from their 2022 eight-win squad, including several sack masters and one of the best takeaway players in the state. Tim Robinson, known as “Mr. Pick 6,” signed with Troy after a season that saw the DB come away with 7 INT. LB Jarius Curry leaves after a great senior season in which he recorded 71 tackles and 6 sacks. His defensive mate, DL TJ Morrison, had 73 tackles with 4 sacks over the last two seasons. Curry signed with Thomas University, while Morrison is headed to Reinhardt University.
The offense will miss TE Jalen Whitehead, who pulled down 21 receptions with 5 TDs last season before being injured in the Winnersville Classic at Lowndes. He has recovered and is headed to Clark Atlanta to continue his football career. RB Ahmad Denson is off to Coffeyville Community College following a high school career in which he rushed for 727 yards and 6 TDs, including two games when he rushed for 100+ yards.
Who’s Back
Valdosta will bring back a lot of talent to this season’s team, starting with junior dual-threat quarterback Todd Robinson. He has really grown into the position and will only be more comfortable this season. He has thrown for more than 1,000 yards with 10 TDs and rushed for 569 yards and 7 TDs.
Joining their QB on the offense will be returning RB Shaq Wright, WR Prince Jean, TE Jontavious McGriff, and OL Jalen Burgess. On that suffocating defense, DE Eric Brantley just might be the best defensive end in the country. The senior has 130 career tackles, with more than half of those (74) being TFL. That also includes 22 sacks, 11 in each of the past two seasons. Other members of the defense returning this year are DBs Khalil Mollay, Jabari Baker, and Jaylen Bentley, along with senior LB Amari Tomblin.
What to Expect
They say defense wins championships. That’s true, but you must have enough offense to outscore your opponent, and while that led to a premature end to last season for Valdosta, this year could be very different. Robinson is turning into a very talented QB, and with another year of growing into the position, he’ll be ready to take this offense to new heights this season.
The defense will be very solid again and will remain a top-10 unit in the state, just as it was last season. Put those two factors together and that could mean great things for the 2023 Valdosta football team and head coach Shelton Felton, who will be starting his third season leading the Wildcats.
Prediction
Valdosta finishes strong with a 10-3 record.
Game to Watch
The season opener at Massillon Tigers will give Valdosta a chance to show they are deserving of being labeled the winningest football team in the country
Want to get the latest news and opinions in the Georgia high school sports world before anyone else? Subscribe to our email newsletter!
