Monday, August 04, 2008

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 3 Lowndes

3. Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.)
Last season’s record: 14-1, Class 5A champion
Coach: Randy McPherson
Key players: RB/DB Greg Reid (5-10, 175, Sr.), DB Gerald Demps (6-0, 195, Sr.), DB Marcus Solomon (6-0, 190, Sr.), LB Chris Stinson (6-2, 190, Sr.), DT Devin Simmons (5-10, 275, Sr.), K Mark Willis (5-10, 165, Sr.), DT Ridge Spivey (6-1, 245, Sr.), OL Brady Brantly (6-1, 235, Jr.), TE Jordan Black (6-4, 250, Jr.), OL Ed Christian (6-5, 280, Jr.), QB Khary Franklin (5-7, 170, Jr.), DB Tyler Hunter (5-11, 190, So.), DE Michael Copeland (6-3, 210, Jr.)
Biggest strength: Team speed, experience
Question mark: Inexperience at LB
Outlook: Thirteen starters return from the Vikings’ fourth state championship team since 1999. There is good speed throughout the Lowndes roster. Two-time all-state selection Reid, a Florida recruit, starts on both sides of the ball. He is an electrifying open-field runner and a highly skilled cornerback. Rounding out a star-studded secondary is Florida State-bound safety Demps, lockdown corner Solomon, and future blue chipper Hunter. Some key Interior members of the defense that limited opponents to only 7 points a game last year are also back with tackles Simmons and Spivey along with talented junior end Copeland. Small but speedy Franklin is the Lowndes signal-caller again after leading his team as a sophomore. The offensive line features good size and ability with Brantly, Christian and Black all returning to action. The Vikings’ kicking game gives them another edge. Willis connected on seven of 10 field goals last season.
Toughest games: Sept. 5 vs. Peachtree Ridge, Oct. 3 vs. No. 95 Northside, Oct. 10 at Valdosta

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lowndes is probably playing in the toughest high school region in country with 5 teams as legit 5A contenders for State Championship. NS Warner Robbins joining region after two undefeated seasons in 4a:Valdosta winningest program in nation:Coffee and Tift top contenders. Winningest Coach in Alabama moves to region at Colguitt. WOW great season ahead>>>

Anonymous said...

the lowndes co. vikings will more than likely come out on top in 1-aaaaa,although this is a very tough region,the vikings has a lot of speed,returning senior Greg Reid is a offensive machine,and on defense senior Chris Stinson is a beast with good speed on the corners,The secondary also has alot of speed as well,I feel they will play for the 5a state in 2008.

ditt348 said...

The Lowndes County Vikings are a very strong team this season ,the speed and agility of the whole team is tremendous.If the whole team can stay level headed, balanced and play as one theres no doubt the state title will go back to titile-town,a well deserved title to those people over there in valdosta,that town alone has more wins than most of us will ever see....

Anonymous said...

I have traveled all over thanks to the military and my current job, Ok, Tx, Ca, Fl and South GA. Lowndes does not have one good running back, one good QB, a good defender, corner back, or just one good receiver. They are 2,3,4 deep in these positions. If one person is not working well, they'll put another in. Region 1 AAAAA is one of the toughest regions in the country. It amazes me the low strength ratings they get simply because the 'other' places that rate teams cannot focus on just one or two players. How strong is South Ga? Look what Camden did to Hoover.

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