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continuity within the coaching staff. Coach Garvin will once again be surrounded by a solid group of experienced mentors. Travis Blewett returns as Defensive Coordinator, while Britt Ingle will again lead the offense as Offensive Coordinator. The rest of the staff, including Bobby Blount (defensive ends/ offensive line), Steve Fullam (defensive line/tight ends), Jas Sneed (defensive backs/ receivers), Dermin Simmons ( linebackers/ running backs), Garrett Anderson ( linebackers/running backs), and Sam Collins (offensive line), remains intact, providing a stable environment for player development. And, as always, Trey Carroll will be a familiar face on the sidelines as the Head Team Manager.
Offense: A New Look and Quarterback Battle The most intriguing storyline on the offensive side of the ball is the ongoing quarterback competition. Junior Jake McCaw currently holds a slight edge, but senior DJ Wallace is pushing hard for the starting role. Coach Garvin sees upsides in both, and the nonstarter will still be a vital asset, likely contributing at running back or receiver. Henry Adams, Ryan Brantley, and Landon Scott could also see snaps under center.
In the backfield, look for Brycen Burns to lead the charge. McCaw will undoubtedly see time at running back, and Tyler McKinney, though undersized, is a 'speedster' who can 'absolutely fly and break big plays.' Andre Jackson is another quick player who will get carries, while Brayden Mulkey will provide a physical presence at fullback.
The receiving corps will be anchored by senior Kashun Coney, with sophomore Jamarcus Bouyer expected to be a key target. Junior Cayleb Sanford and senior DJ Wallace will also split out wide. At tight end, Justus Gabbard and Clay Mimbs will be in the mix. Coach Garvin also noted the addition of several players who haven't played since middle school but have shown significant progress and are pushing for impact roles.
Up front, sophomore Kayden McKinnon (275 lbs.) will anchor the offensive line at center; despite his youth, he's shown tremendous strides and could even emerge as a captain. Junior Rylan Keene is a returning starter at guard, while Torey Jackson, one of the team's strongest players, will man the other guard spot. Maxwell Jordan is a returning starter at tackle, with Nate Landon and Trey Jackson rotating at the other tackle position.
Perhaps the biggest change on offense will be the move to the single wing from the wing-T. This strategic shift, based on the team's personnel, will allow them to spread out the offense more. 'We are excited about what we have and look forward to seeing what they can do,' Coach Garvin shared, noting significant improvements in offensive execution over the summer.
Defense: Youthful Energy and Tackling Improvements On the defensive line, junior Cayleb Sanford will anchor the unit at nose guard. Sophomores Clay Mimbs and Henry Adams will fill the defensive end spots, expected to be key contributors in the trenches.
The linebacker corps will feature junior Andre Jackson and sophomore Jamarre Wiggs at outside linebacker. Junior Josh Farmer, with prototypical size at 6'2', 225 lbs., will be a force at middle linebacker, joined by Brayden Mulkey (210 lbs.). Both are described as hard-hitting players who will undoubtedly cause problems for opposing offenses.
The secondary welcomes back senior Lyric McKennie at safety, a senior leader who hasn't played since his freshman year but has dedicated himself to making an impact. Senior DJ Wallace will patrol the other safety spot. At cornerback, Brycen Burns, who started every game as a freshman last year, will be joined by Jake McCaw. Coach Garvin is particularly optimistic about the young talent on defense, noting that many will be returning for at least another year. The defense has also shown marked improvement in tackling and aims to significantly reduce points allowed this season, relying on their speed to make plays.
Special Teams
The kicking duties will be a competition between Josh Farmer and Jake McCaw, with McCaw also handling punting responsibilities.
A Gauntlet of a Schedule
The 2025 schedule is not for the faint of heart. The Indians face six challenging nonregion games, including rematches with tough teams like Dodge County and Pierce County, before even stepping into region play. Region action kicks off at home against Savannah Christian, a team that reached the Final Four in the Private School Division last year. They'll then face a much-improved Swainsboro squad before hosting perennial rival and defending State Champion Toombs County on October 24th. The regular season concludes on the road against Savannah Country Day on October 31st.
'If we can remain healthy over the year, not lose any key players, that will make a difference for us this season,' Coach Garvin emphasized, highlighting the importance of depth and avoiding injuries.
Community Support: The Heartbeat of the Indians Beyond the X's and O's, Coach Garvin expressed immense gratitude for the unwavering support from the Vidalia community. 'We just know we are always going to get great support from this community. Any time we need something, there is someone there for us. These people love Vidalia, they love these kids, and our players feed off it.' He also extended an invitation for more fans to fill the bleachers on Friday nights, eager to share the excitement of the season.
Garvin also spoke passionately about the internal culture of the team, emphasizing the strong bonds and shared commitment. 'We have a great group of people here that all care about each other. The coaches care about each other, they all care about the players, and the players care about the coaches and each other. We are all out there battling it out every day, working together, and building relationships. We are trying to teach these kids lifelong lessons, make them good people, good future fathers, and good members of this community. Building character is key. It is just a blessing to be here and to work with this team.' He concluded by offering a heartfelt thank you to his wife, “I also want to make sure to thank my wife for all her support. Kim is incredible and has just been a rock for me for 30 years. It wouldn’t be enjoyable for me if she wasn’t around.”
With a dedicated coaching staff, a committed group of players, and the steadfast support of the Vidalia community, the Indians are poised to embark on a season of growth, learning, and hopefully, many victories. Can this new-look Vidalia squad navigate their challenging schedule and make a significant jump in the win column? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the Vidalia Indians are ready to fight.
VHS Quarterbacks & Running Backs – (L to R, Front): Alton Boles, DJ Wallace, Jamarre Wiggs,Brycen Burns, Jake McCaw, Ryan Brantley, Henry Adams; (2nd) Jah Robinson, Lyric McKennie, Damarion Grifin, Landon Scott, Tyler McKennie, Kalep Wallace; (Back): Coach Travis Blewett, Jmac Lanier, and Coach Britt Ingle.Photo by Pix Photography
