VALDOSTA – The Valdosta Wildcats' offensive line, known as the "Big Five," was recognized as the Georgia High School Football Daily Offensive Line of the Week on Thursday morning, October 22, 2026, in the VHS multipurpose facility. The acknowledgment follows their instrumental role in setting a new school record for total yardage last Friday in a decisive 52-44 victory over Colquitt County.
The "Big Five" – Austin Spray, Jah’khias Neloms, Adron Thomas, Tyler Richardson, and Tremayne Miley – were key to the Wildcats accumulating an unprecedented 703 total yards against the Packers. The offensive line cleared paths for the Valdosta run game, contributing to 320 rushing yards. Star running backs Marquis Fennell and Deron Foster combined for 314 yards and five touchdowns on 39 carries during the game.
Beyond opening holes for the powerful ground attack, the offensive line also provided critical protection for senior quarterback Tripp Perry. Perry had a career-best performance, completing 20 of 25 passes for 383 yards and two total touchdowns, largely due to the time afforded by his linemen.
Valdosta offensive line coach J.T. Black spoke about the recognition for the senior group. Black noted that offensive linemen are often "in the shadows of things," making the recognition a significant moment for them. He emphasized that much of their success is tied to the playmaking ability of the running backs, Marquis Fennell and Deron Foster.
Under head coach Shelton Felton, now in his sixth year, the Wildcats have cultivated a strong run game. Felton expressed his pride in the linemen, highlighting their hard work and the fact that this senior group has played together for four years. He noted that in the current sports landscape, skill players often receive more publicity, making this recognition especially meaningful for the linemen. Felton also spoke of the deep "brotherhood" among the team, particularly how the linemen treat Deron Foster like a younger brother, fostering mutual success and motivation.
Fueled by the performance of players like Fennell and Foster, the Wildcats currently hold a dominant 7-0 overall record and a 1-0 standing in Region 1-7A. The team has consistently scored 52 points or more in all six games they’ve played this season. Marquis Fennell leads the team with 1,419 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns, while Deron Foster has amassed 839 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns through six games. Offensively, Valdosta averages 55.5 points per game and wins by an average margin of 36.2 points per game.
Coach Black acknowledged the challenge of maintaining such a high level of performance, stating that the team sets a new standard for itself every week. He indicated that after setting a new benchmark for yards and points against a tough opponent, the team now faces the task of upholding that standard through three more equally challenging region opponents.
