Saturday, November 2, 2002
Fittingly, a shutout marks Valdosta's 800th victory
Associated Press
VALDOSTA, Ga. -- Valdosta High School became the first prep
team in the nation to win 800 games, shutting out Lee County 36-0
Friday night at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
''This is a special victory for this program,'' Valdosta coach
Mike O'Brien said. ''This is for all the players who played for
Valdosta in the past, and all the people who have supported us for
so long. There have been a lot of people who contributed to helping
us get to 800.''
Valdosta, 800-163-34 over 88 seasons, holds the record for state
titles with 23. The Wildcats, 6-1-1 this season, have captured
national attention over the years, being named the top team in the
nation six times. USA Today had the Wildcats No. 1 in 1984 and
1986.
''Each time you coach or play for Valdosta, it's an experience
you don't forget,'' O'Brien said.
Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio, is the closest to
Valdosta in victories with a 743-207-35 record, according to USA
Today.
In the game Friday, Lee County never made it past the 50-yard
line. Valdosta's defense has not allowed a running back to gain 50
yards this year.
Of Valdosta's 12 football coaches, the three biggest winners are
Wright Bazemore (268-51-7), Nick Hyder (249-36-2) and O'Brien
(68-18-1).
