Yesterday, along with over 10 thousand other cheering fans of Valdosta High, Lowndes High, Valwood High, Valdosta State University, and several other sports organizations, I sat in the stands of Bazemore-Hyder stadium, baking in the South Georgia sun, as ESPN recorded the winner’s pronouncement from the green grass of the football field. Jesse Tuggle, 5-time Pro Bowler, received the trophy on behalf of Valdosta.

I’m a huge football fan so this was an exciting moment. Honestly, I know it probably doesn’t matter much to many people around the world, but it was exciting for us as a community to be voted for over big cities like New York City, LA, Boston, and Detroit.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Valdosta football, here’s a few items of interest:

• IN 1971, the T.C. Williams High football team, a newly integrated football program, dominated almost all of their opponents. The movie Remember the Titans is based on their accomplishments. They won state and were 2nd runners up in the nation after losing the national championship game to another newly integrated football program from way down south. You guessed it, the Valdosta High Wildcats.
• Valdosta State University: 2 National Championship Titles in the last 4 years.
• VSU has over 40 titles.
• Valdosta High: Winningest highschool football program in the nation (838-191-34).
• Valdosta High: 6 National Championship Titles, 23 State Championship Titles.
• VHS has 116 titles.
• Lowndes High: 5 State Championship Titles, including 3 in a 4 year span (2003-2007).
• LHS has 94 titles.
• Valwood has 55 titles.

This was a fan-voting competition. It wasn’t based solely on number of titles or past accomplishments, although it doesn’t hurt to have a handful winning organizations that consistently dominate in their own respective rights. I know some people are arguing that Green Bay is THE Titletown USA, and for me it is. It always will be.

But at the same time, I’m proud to be part of a community that loves it’s sports, and comes out in droves to support it. Our “official” nickname here in Valdosta is Winnersville. So whether you are on board with the results of ESPN’s Titletown competition or not, we’ve got Winnersville, a highschool rivalry that is one of the nation’s finest.

Congratulations go out to all the athletes and fans that represent Valdosta’s community and tradition of fine sports.