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TRADITION
Valdosta Wildcats celebrate Thanksgiving tradition
words & photos by KEVIN TOLIVER
At the new Valdosta High School athletic building , Head Coach Shelton Felton was seated comfortably behind his desk with his hands clasped . Behind him were many plaques helmets and mementos of the high school with the most football game wins in history . He ’ d been busy preparing for the annual game versus Lowndes County known as the Winnersville Classic .
“ I became the position coach in 2021 ,” he said . “ I was hired as the safeties coach and special teams coordinator coach .”
Felton then took over the interim head coaching position before being named head coach . When speaking on his position as coach , he recalled the years when every incoming class played for the state championship .
“ That ’ s what we ’ re trying to get back to ,” he said .
However , Valdosta High School football is not just about the games and wins , it ’ s more like a family . Any affiliation to the football program is a source of pride . It ’ s woven into the very fabric of the community .
“ So here at Valdosta High , the first thing we want to do is to be playing ,” he laughed .
But , in order to play well , the athletes must be mentally and physically strong . There is nothing stronger than a bond which connects a team . Traditions often create a bond , while helping the team become stronger in ways they never expected .
“ The second thing we try to do is have Thanksgiving dinner as a team ,” Felton said . “ Everybody comes in … coaches , coaches ’ wives , kids . A lot of my kids come from tough backgrounds so we make sure that they have a good Thanksgiving meal and even if they want to , we invite their friends and family if need be . Then we have all kinds of food catered in by our booster clubs . We ’ ll have it right here in the cafeteria of the high school .”
So much of the holidays is family . Wildcat nation is no different than any other family .
“ High school football … that ’ s something special ,” Felton said . “ I love it to see them grow into young men . It ’ s the most rewarding thing that you can get is to see them grow .”
The Thanksgiving dinner is only one of the many ways the team is celebrated and loved on throughout the year . However , Felton is always looking for ways to expand the bond between his players and appreciates any community support .
24 Valdosta Scene | December 2023