Week 1 preview: Warner Robins to take on Valdosta in Macon Touchdown Club Classic
A pair of old friends and former teammates will clash on Saturday night as the head coaches of two powerhouse Georgia high school football programs.
Warner Robins is set to take on Valdosta as part of the Macon Touchdown Club Kickoff Classic at Mercer’s Five Star Stadium after last year’s classic was postponed due to COVID-19.
Warner Robins head coach Marquis Westbrook guided his team to a fourth straight state title game last season. After falling in its three previous trips, Warner Robins finally exorcised its own demons to bring home the title.
Shelton Felton will lead the 2021 Valdosta Wildcats. Felton replaced Rush Propst, who was fired from Valdosta after a recruiting scandal.
Familiar foes
Felton and Westbrook have a long history with one another — they were teammates on the Crisp County High football team — as well as a tremendous amount of respect. Asked what it will be like to face off with Felton, Westbrook cracked a big smile.
“It’s going to be a little different. We grew up together,” Westbrook said. “His dad was my first coach. It’s going to be a different level of intensity. There are going to be some bragging rights going on there a little bit.”
For Felton, the game against Warner Robins is an early chance for the new head coach to make a statement against one of the premier programs in the state.
Felton said he is excited to carry on the football tradition that both his family and Westbrook’s have. He is ready for the chance to face off against last year’s state title winner.
“We accept the challenge. Our mindset is we are Valdosta High School and we don’t back down from nothing,” Felton said. “It’s a great honor. Me and coach Westbrook go back a long way.”
The Demons return this season with a target on their back as teams will be looking to give the defending 5A champions their best shot.
Warner Robins players are adjusting to life after the graduation of a group of seniors that were a part of four trips to the state title game and who played in more than 18 playoff games.
But Westbrook said that he is confident in his group of upperclassmen to fill in the gaps left behind. One, in particular, is senior quarterback Christon Lane. Lane replaces Jalen Addie, a dual-threat quarterback who led the Demons with his ability to push the ball down the field with his arm and improvise with his legs. Westbrook said Lane is one of the key players heading into the season.
“Christon Lane is going to have to lead us. He is going to have to orchestrate the offense,” Westbrook said. “Our senior offensive line, we will lean on them heavily. We got some guys who are three-year starters who have a lot of experience under their belts.”
Warner Robins and Valdosta will begin Saturday at Mercer University following the conclusion of the ACE and FPD game that begins at 4 p.m.
Here’s the rest of the Week 1 games for Middle Georgia high schools. All games begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, unless noted otherwise.
Week 1
- Central at Howard on Thursday
- Baldwin vs Liberty
- Rutland vs Jeff Davis
- Mary Persons vs Towers
- Peach County vs Central (Phenix City) at 8 p.m.
- Bleckley County at West Laurens
- Houston County at Perry
- Northeast at Jones County
- Northside at Veterans
- Westside at Bradwell Institute
- ACE vs FPD at Mercer at 4 p.m. on Saturday
- Warner Robins vs Valdosta at Mercer after the conclusion of ACE/FPD
Games of the week
Three Telegraph staffers will make picks each week for the top five matchups around Middle Georgia, and we’ll keep track of how we do.
Reporter Justin Baxley
- FPD over ACE
- Warner Robins over Valdosta
- Houston County over Perry
- Northside over Veterans
- Northeast over Jones County
Senior editor Caleb Slinkard
- FPD over ACE
- Warner Robins over Valdosta
- Perry over Houston County
- Veterans over Northside
- Jones over Northeast
Photo journalist Jason Vorhees:
- FPD over ACE
- Warner Robins over Valdosta
- Perry over Houston County
- Northside over Veterans
- Jones over Northeast