This past Friday heralded the return of exhilarating high school football as the Valdosta Wildcats embarked on their preseason journey, facing off against the Cook Hornets in a compelling scrimmage at Cook Memorial Stadium. The Wildcats delivered a powerful performance, demonstrating their readiness for the upcoming regular season by securing a commanding 34-13 victory at the conclusion of three varsity quarters. Their dominance extended into the junior varsity portion, where they notched the lone touchdown, successfully fending off a Cook goal-line stand as time expired.

The varsity offense for the Wildcats took a few drives to establish its rhythm, but once it clicked, an undeniable momentum surged through the air. Following an exchange of punts to initiate the evening’s contest, Valdosta launched a remarkable 76-yard drive, culminating in their first score. This impressive march to the end zone was capped by a skillfully executed 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tripp Perry to the dynamic Eldemetris Hunter, signaling an early statement of intent.

Cook’s subsequent possession resulted in a quick three-and-out. However, a lengthy punt left the Wildcats seemingly pinned deep in their own territory, starting their next drive from the 11-yard line, which became the 6-yard line after a penalty. Undeterred, Valdosta orchestrated another explosive play that quickly turned the tide of field position.

In a display of impressive route running and vision, Jamarian Mingo deftly slipped past the Hornet secondary, finding himself wide open near midfield. He secured the pass and, with no defenders able to challenge him, sprinted untouched for an electrifying 86-yard touchdown. This play not only extended Valdosta’s lead but also underscored the potency of their aerial attack and the danger posed by their speedsters.

The Wildcats continued to press their advantage, with Foster gaining significant yardage to position the ball at the Cook 44. Quarterback Perry attempted two deep throws; while both were knocked away by the Hornets, the second defensive effort resulted in a critical pass interference penalty, granting Valdosta another opportunity to strike deep into Cook territory.

Despite a would-be touchdown pass to Prince Jean being batted away, Valdosta maintained its composure and scored on the very next play, employing a slightly different but equally effective strategy. Perry delivered a short sideline pass to Marquis Fennell, who then exploded into action. Fennell displayed remarkable agility and determination, shaking off two Cook defenders inside the 5-yard line before tumbling into the end zone at the 2:51 mark, further extending the Wildcats’ commanding lead to 27-0.

Cook managed to gain some yards on the ensuing kickoff return, but a crucial turnover occurred when their returner was stripped of the football around the 30-yard line. The loose ball fortuitously bounded into the arms of Markeise Miller, who wasted no time in darting down the sideline for yet another Valdosta score, adding to the growing point differential.

Before the half concluded, the Wildcats resumed their offensive assault. In just two plays, they advanced to the 47-yard line. A reception by Jean then moved the ball to the 34 with 1:30 remaining in the half. Foster then carried the ball to the 15 and later to the 1-yard line before finally punching it in with 27 seconds left, pushing Valdosta’s lead to 34-7 at halftime.

In the third period, Valdosta introduced wholesale changes to its lineup, allowing many players valuable scrimmage time. While their most promising drive in this quarter reached the 4-yard line, it ultimately concluded with a blocked field goal attempt by Cook. The Wildcats also demonstrated their defensive capabilities by blocking a kick. After M.J. Tippins secured a 50-yard touchdown for Cook, Valdosta’s defense swiftly batted down the subsequent point-after attempt, preventing further points. With this strong preseason showing, the Wildcats now have two weeks to meticulously prepare for their next challenge: an “invasion” from Tucker, a DeKalb County team that went 7-4 in 2024 and previously fell to Valdosta 65-19 in their opener.