LOWNDES VIKINGS
Region 1-7A
SCOUTING REPORT : words and photos by Shane Thomas
The 2022 season ushers in a new era for Lowndes High football
Lowndes running back Aalim Brown ( 24 ) gets past Tift County ’ s Jonta Strozier ( 12 ) during the first half of a spring game Friday , May 20 at Martin Stadium .
VALDOSTA — The Vikings enter this season with a new head coach , a new quarterback and a running back poised for a breakout as well as a young defense looking to find its footing after a down year by its own standards .
Former Thomasville head coach Zach Grage was introduced as the new head coach at Lowndes April 12 after the resignation of head coach Jamey DuBose .
In two seasons with the Vikings , DuBose led the team to a 20-5 record and a 5-1 mark in region play with one region title . Inheriting a team that went 1-8 in 2015 , Grage compiled a 53-23 record with the Bulldogs with multiple playoff appearances over the last five years .
Under Grage , the Bulldogs won region titles in 2017 , 2018 and 2021 . Four of his teams went to the quarterfinals or further with the Bulldogs making a state championship game appearance in 2021 .
Through the spring , Grage said the most important habit he and his staff wanted to instill was the Vikings learning how to practice his way .
The Vikings ’ summer has consisted of padded camps , OTAs and 7-on-7s throughout June and July . The team recently practiced with Thomas County Central , Bainbridge , Lanier County and Cook .
“ I think the kids have been getting after it ,” Grage said . “ They ’ ve been so receptive to some of the changes , some of the expectations throughout this summer . We ’ ve definitely gone through some dog days where we may have been pulling a little teeth here and there but all in all , we ’ ve revamped our weight room . We kind of let it ride with what we ’ d been doing before . In the spring , we really focused on football and how we practiced . The major focus of this summer was getting our weight program instilled and making a difference there and they ’ ve been awesome with that – coaches and players together .
“ Like I said , there ’ s still a lot of unanswered questions . I think we need to get into full , Friday night lights-type competition to get some of those done . Those non-region games and our first scrimmage are going to be crucial , but I ’ ve loved our get after it-ness . The kids are coming in to work everyday . Is every day perfect ? Absolutely not , but I think they love football . I think they love Lowndes , I love being here and we ’ ll try to find the best guys that ’ ll give us the best chance to win .”
The Vikings went 10-3 last season , going undefeated in Region 1-7A and claiming the region championship .
Offensively , the Vikings were as potent as ever – putting up 34.6 points a night . However , defensively , the young and inexperienced
30 2022 SOUTH GEORGIA FOOTBALL