The Valdosta-Lowndes rivalry, known as the Winnersville Classic, is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, rivalries in the state. This week’s game is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in recent years and will be crucial in deciding the region title. The matchup will also showcase elite talent that college coaches will be eager to see.
The top senior recruit in the match up is Valdosta athlete Todd Robinson, a Georgia commit who plays quarterback for the Wildcats. However, Robinson is not expected to play quarterback at the next level; instead, he is projected to play as a defensive back. His elite athleticism is currently enough to disrupt most defensive schemes, making him a dual threat to run and throw the ball. He missed Valdosta’s only loss to Richmond Hill two weeks ago, but he played last week and is expected to be closer to full strength for this week’s game.
Lowndes’ top senior player is linebacker Coleman Lewis. A 3-star recruit, Lewis has multiple major offers, including LSU, Georgia Tech, and Auburn. At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, he is a strong interior linebacker who excels at attacking the run and is also a skilled pass defender. His discipline will be essential on Friday as he attempts to contain Todd Robinson and the Valdosta run game, forcing them into a pass-first approach.
Jalon Copeland, the top junior player on either team, is a 3-star cornerback for Valdosta with 20 FBS offers before the end of his junior season. At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, he is a long, physical defensive back with the ability to play both man and zone coverage. Copeland will need to be a lockdown corner on Friday to stop what has become a potent passing attack from the Vikings. He will likely spend much of his time covering Marshall commit Jaylin Carter.
For Lowndes to secure a victory on Friday, sophomore quarterback Jayce Johnson must have a standout game. The Vikings entered the season as a run-first team, which aligns with the typical approach of head coach Adam Carter, but Johnson has emerged as one of the top 2027 quarterbacks in the state. At 6-3 and 195 pounds, he already has the prototypical quarterback frame and is also mobile. Johnson has been highly efficient in the passing game, completing 69 percent of his passes for nearly 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns with only two interceptions. The Vikings will need him to continue this trend if they are to win.
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