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The Valdosta Wildcats received off to a dominant begin final week as they throttled the North Miami Pioneers 40-6 final Friday.
Tonight, the ‘Cats look to construct on their season opener when the Prepare dinner Hornets come to city.
Let’s kick some additional factors…
1) Dominating D
The ‘Cats held the Pioneers to only 139 yards whole offense final week.
North Miami quarterback Makhai Stevenson accomplished simply 5 of 23 passes for 71 yards with a sack and an interception. At occasions, Stevenson was the one participant producing for the Pioneers – ending with 11 carries for 45 yards.
Jason Gabriel had two catches for 44 yards whereas Lorenzo Baptiste had one catch for 26 yards within the loss.
The Pioneers managed solely 5 first downs within the recreation.
“They didn’t (transfer the ball on us),” Valdosta head coach Shelton Felton mentioned. “Our entrance is our strongest level. We’ve received to get our guys on the again finish enjoying higher and our linebackers enjoying higher. We’ve received playmakers all over the place, so these guys have gotten to step up and play to their capabilities and make the performs they’re presupposed to make.
“I used to be just a little upset with the six factors. You know the way that goes, however I believed we performed fairly good on protection tonight.”
The ‘Cats practically delivered a shutout till a dismal drive resulted in Stevenson strolling into the top zone for a landing with 8:50 left within the third quarter.
Fuming, Felton lit into his protection, yelling, “That is not the usual!”
Felton expanded on his frustration after the sport.
“The usual right here is we’re gonna play protection, we’re gonna play lights-out, we’re gonna play bodily and we’re gonna be quick,” Felton mentioned. “The usual is the usual irrespective of who we play. We need to construct that custom right here the place we don’t need you to attain. That’s the message I used to be making an attempt to get throughout to them.”
2) Todd’s debut
A vivid spot for the ‘Cats was the play of rising sophomore quarterback Todd Robinson, who made his first profession begin at quarterback final week.
Robinson accounted for 3 touchdowns within the win – finishing 5 of 13 passes for 86 yards with two first-half touchdowns whereas displaying his versatility and athleticism with six carries for 79 yards with a 15-yard landing run to place the ‘Cats in entrance 34-0 late within the second quarter.
Robinson performed with poise and regarded rather more assured than he did in restricted motion final season.
The distinction, Felton mentioned, is Robinson’s maturity – each bodily and mentally.
“It’s simply maturity,” Felton mentioned of Robinson’s efficiency. “It was his first beginning at quarterback since I feel the sixth or seventh grade. He makes a distinction. He performed with confidence. I’ve received to inform him on a regular basis, ‘For those who play with confidence, you are able to do something you need to do and the blokes are going to comply with you.’
“As a younger man, he received hit for the primary time and he realized they didn’t damage him. I feel he simply began enjoying from there.”
3) They nonetheless run it
Final season, the ‘Cats constructed their offensive id behind a punishing offensive line and a steady of proficient younger operating backs.
Final week towards North Miami, they rushed 44 occasions for 258 yards with 4 speeding touchdowns. General, Valdosta completed with 344 yards whole offense.
Seven completely different ‘Cats recorded carries final week, led by Robinson’s 79-yard effort. Senior operating again Charles Williams Jr. had the majority of the touches with 14 carries for 72 yards and a landing. Ahmad Denson had eight carries for 50 yards whereas Shaq Wright had six carries for 25 yards and a landing.
“I believed we have been balanced on offense and was capable of (put factors on the board),” Felton mentioned. “The most important factor I used to be happy with was Todd Robinson. He got here out his shell and directed the offense. We had a slew of operating backs touching the ball. I believed (offensive coordinator) Coach Nick Harduvel did an incredible job calling the sport tonight.”
4) Reuniting with the Hornets
Regardless of enjoying simply 27 miles up the highway, Prepare dinner has solely performed Valdosta 4 occasions – ever.
Previous to tonight, the final time Valdosta confronted Prepare dinner was Sept. 18, 1953 – a recreation the ‘Cats gained 51-7.
Valdosta is 4-0 all-time towards the Hornets. The primary assembly between the 2 groups was Oct. 30, 1931 when Valdosta gained 39-2. On Oct. 28, 1932, Valdosta gained 31-0. The groups wouldn’t play one another once more for 20 years.
5) What to anticipate
Prepare dinner comes into Bazemore-Hyder Stadium 1-0 after walloping Pelham 55-7 within the Battle of the Hornets final week – a recreation that noticed Prepare dinner rating 49 first-half factors.
With it being so early within the non-region schedule, Felton mentioned the target for the ‘Cats is to excellent their base schemes every week to arrange for area play.
“It’s essential to strengthen to base – our core offense and core protection – irrespective of who we play,” Felton mentioned. “We’re gonna run, so it’s essential to get that stuff down and see completely different folks and completely different fronts. I don’t know a lot about Prepare dinner, however I’m positive it’s going to be an incredible staff coming in right here with a combat.”
Kickoff for tonight’s recreation is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Shane Thomas is the sports activities editor on the Valdosta Each day Instances.
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