In a city known for its widespread gridiron success and accomplishment, it goes without saying that it takes time to craft a champion. While Valdosta, Georgia is known for the six national, 23 state, and 41 region titles of the Wildcats of Valdosta High School. Also since 2004, Valdosta State University has earned three Division II national championships (2004, 2007, 2012), Lowndes High School has won three state championships (2004, 2005, 2007), and private Valwood School has taken home titles in 2012 and 2015.
Ask any local, or anyone familiar with the area, for that matter, and they will tell you the same thing: the judiciously-named “TitleTown, USA” breeds champions. And the key to creating champions is to start when they are young. Such is the case with Tate Rodemaker and Reed Reagin. Both eighth-graders at Valdosta Middle School, the duo is primed to make a splash once they hit the high school ranks.
“I really appreciate the football programs in this city,” Reed Reagin says. “They prepare you and make you want to try your best all the time. That is probably the one thing that I will always remember and appreciate about Valdosta Middle School.”
Reed is a three-sport athlete at Valdosta Middle. The son of Ron and Marcy Reagin, he was a member of the football and baseball programs in his sixth-grade year. Beginning in seventh grade, he added basketball to his resume and has played all three sports since.
“I would say that baseball is my favorite of the three,” he says. “I love the pace of the game. It’s intense, and it’s a high-speed game. You have to always be paying attention.”
He began playing sports at a young age; he recalls starting out with tee-ball at the age of 5. While on the field, he suits up at third base, first base, and pitcher; he has also played the same positions for his traveling team, the Southern Guns, since he was 9 years old. His talent does not go unnoticed; just this past summer, he was called up to play with the ninth-grade team.
Before baseball season rolls around, he will have said his goodbyes to his other two middle school sports. Football season has ended, and basketball season will follow soon after. A tight end on the gridiron and a combo guard/big man on the hardwood, Reed has decided that he will let basketball go upon entering high school.
Joining him will be his partner under center, Tate Rodemaker. Ending his middle school career as a three-sport athlete as well, Tate has been a presence on Valdosta Middle’s football, basketball, and baseball teams. He suits up at quarterback in the fall before playing at shooting guard during basketball season. He rounds out the year as a definition utility player.
“I play a little of everywhere,” Tate says. “I am comfortable in a lot of places. I just go where I’m needed.”
Tate says that his favorite sport of the three is football, and with good reason. He is the latest in a line of Valdosta talent; his father, Alan, currently serves as the defensive coordinator at Valdosta High, and his brother, Bo, recently wrapped up his senior season as a Wildcat receiver. To add to the athletic prowess of the family, Tate’s mother, Leah, was a basketball player in high school (at Lumpkin County High School in Dahlonega, Georgia) and college (at Presbyterian University in Clinton, South Carolina); she held the Presbyterian scoring record for a decade.
“My dad was a quarterback in high school, so he helps me out when we’re in the yard throwing around,” Tate says. “He’s also talked to me about possibly giving free safety a try in high school.”
Tate is not the only one with ties to the Wildcats; upon entering high school, Reed will be reunited with his sister, Emily Kate, who is currently a sophomore at Valdosta and participates in varsity cheerleading.
While college is still a few years away, both of these young men have started thinking about their respective futures. Reed is an avid University of Florida fan, and has considered studying math or science should he attend the school. Tate has his eyes in the opposite direction; living a portion of his younger years in North Carolina, he has grown fond of North Carolina State University. He would like to possibly study either science or social studies.
One thing is for certain: Both Reed and Tate are tremendously talented student-athletes, and before even setting foot on a high school campus, they have made the Valdosta community proud. They have expressed the utmost gratitude for their school, their teammates, and their coaches and teachers.
Having made their way through middle school together, the transition to the next level should be seamless for the duo. High school can be a scary beast, but anything is easier when you’ve got a trusted friend and teammate beside you for strength and support.
Sidebars
Tate Rodemaker on Reed Reagin: “He’s my best friend. We met in sixth grade, and we’ve been friends ever since. On the field, he’s my go-to. He rarely ever misses a pass that comes his way. Off the field, I know I can trust him and depend on him for anything. I know he’ll always be there for me.”
Reed Reagin on Tate Rodemaker: “On the field, Tate’s our quarterback. It’s fitting for him. He’s smart, and he’s a leader. He takes charge. Away from the field, he’s dependable. I’ve known him for a couple years now, and I consider a great friend; my best friend. I know that I can count on him, no matter what.”
Reed’s Most Memorable Moment: “It would have to be when I caught my first touchdown pass in seventh grade. Everybody was so excited for me. It was a great feeling.”
Tate’s Most Memorable Moment: “During our seventh-grade season, we were down against Coffee. We had to go for a two-point conversion because we didn’t have a kicker. I was able to roll out and find Reed, and we connected on the two-point conversion to win the game.”
South Georgia / January 2016
Tate Rodemaker, Reed Reagin
Valdosta Middle School
Valdosta, Ga.
Valdosta Middle Dynamic Duo Prepares to Follow in Family’s Footsteps
By James Washington
Photography: Micki K Photography
