ATLANTA -- The state championship trophy is heading back to Valdosta.
Valdosta Wildcats quarterbacks Josh Belton and Hunter Holt combined for 167 passing yards and 94 rushing yards, and Belton threw two touchdown passes in the first half that were enough to overcome the Tucker Tigers and win the 6A state championship 17-7 at the Georgia Dome on Friday.
The Wildcats won their 24 state title, but it was the first time they had hoisted the trophy since 1998, the school's longest title drought. Head coach Alan Rodemaker joined the Wildcats this season with only two years of prior head coaching experience at Peach Co. Nether of those years come close to what Rodemaker accomplished this season.
Belton and the Wildcats got to work quickly, starting with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Damarrius Marrow. Then after getting set up by a 40-yard punt return by Jayce Rodgers, J.R. Ingram made a leaping 17-yard catch in the end zone to go up by two touchdowns.
Ingram had six receptions for 82 yards in the game, putting him over the 1,000 yard receiving mark for the season.
The Wildcats looked like they were on the cusp of running away with it with a third touchdown on their next offensive drive, but Tucker's Tylan Oglesby intercepted Belton, but it didn't lead to any points. The Wildcats drove down field again on the next drive, but failed to convert on a fourth down conversion, allowing the Tigers to stay in contention.
Valdosta kicker Donta Bushware kicked a 44-yard field goal to end the first half to give the Wildcats a 17-0 lead. The field goal came after a trick pre-snap maneuver by the Wildcats on fourth down. The Wildcats looked like they were going to attempt a fourth down conversion, but suddenly swapped out units on the field, drawing Tucker off-sides to get a first down.
Tucker, who entered the game averaging 384 yards per game, finished with 262 total yards. The Tigers looked energized to start the second half, and quarterback Xavier Shephard Jr. made a couple good throws to move 36 yards down field, but the drive ended in an interception by Rodgers.
But the Tigers still had some fight. After running 29 yards to get into the red zone, Chris Broadwater scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to avoid the shutout, making it 17-7.
The Tigers got all the way to the Wildcats' 21-yard-line in the fourth quarter, but turned the ball over on downs.
Tucker running back Taurean Taylor did not play most of the game because of an ankle injury. He entered the game with 1,315 rushing yards.
Tucker returned to the state championship for the first time since losing to Creekside in 2013. Their last championship was in 2011, but the Tigers were unable to win their third on Friday.
