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State Runner-up. The MatDawgs set the tone early with an 83-0 win over Montgomery County in the first round of Area. In the second round, the MatDawgs dropped only two individual matches in a 71-8 win over Fitzgerald, setting up a final against Dublin. The Irish brought some fight, winning four individual matches, but the Bulldogs had little to worry about, securing the Area Championship with a score of 60-18. The top two teams from each Area earned bids to the State Dual Championships in Franklin, GA.
At the State Dual Championships, the Bulldogs took on Berrien County in the first round, rolling to a 66-13 victory. That set them up against Gordon Lee in the second round. This was a tougher match, but the Bulldogs came out on top, 48-26, to earn a spot in the semifinals.
Against Bremen in the semifinals, Toombs got wins from Lukas Young (106 lbs) and Walker Bunch (113 lbs) to take the early lead. Bremen tied the match at 12-12, but a decision by Wyatt Bunch at 126 lbs put the Bulldogs back on top. Bremen took a 21-15 lead, but wins by Robert Agzigian, Tyson Brantley, and Dabvn Wadley put the Bulldogs in front 25-21. A big technical fall win from Lucas Coley at 175 lbs gave the Bulldogs a 30-24 lead. Leeson Allen then got an 8-2 decision at 190 lbs to give Toombs a cushion. Bremen won the final match, but it wasn’t enough as the Bulldogs took the victory, 33-30, advancing to the finals.
Toombs gave it their all in the Championship, but Social Circle was too much, defeating the Bulldogs in the finals 51-18. Toombs picked up a win from Bunch at 126 lbs in a close 13-12 decision. Brantley picked up a major victory at 144 lbs, Wadley won by pin at 157 lbs, and Coley won by technical fall at 175 lbs. It is the second consecutive State Runnerup finish for the Bulldogs.
February 19 Local Wrestlers Win State Titles It was a banner weekend for the Toombs County and Vidalia High School wrestling teams at the GHSA State Traditional Wrestling Tournament in Macon. The Bulldogs and Indians each had two State Champions and several placers. Toombs also came away as the State Runner-up as a team behind Social Circle.
The Bulldog brothers Walker and Wyatt Bunch went back-to-back as State Champions. Walker claimed the State Title at 120 lbs, defeating Cohen Hargrove of Social Circle 10-5. His brother Wyatt followed with a Championship at 126 lbs, beating Elijah Karr of Bremen in a 9-2 decision. Also placing for Toombs was Jahir Lopez (3rd at 113 lbs), Lucas Coley (3rd at 165 lbs), Tyson Brantly (4th at 144 lbs), and Lukas Young (6th at 106 lbs).
The Vidalia Indians also had two wrestlers bring home State Championships, winning back-toback matches at 175 lbs and 190 lbs. Duece Hightower is now a back-to-back State Champion, earning his title at 175 lbs with an 8-1 decision over Ryder Schaltenbrand of Mt. Paran Christian. Jack Godbee also won his second consecutive State Championship at 190 lbs. Godbee won a thriller over Steele Brown from Mt. Pisgah Christian, scoring 8 points in the final 37 seconds to erase a deficit and win 107.
February 19 Lady Indians Win Region Title The Vidalia High School Lady Indians basketball team won the Region Championship, while the boys finished third after an upset by Toombs County in the semifinals.
The Lady Indians jumped out to a 15-5 lead in the first quarter against Swainsboro and extended that to 31-18 at halftime. VHS continued to pull away in the second half, winning 60-47 to advance to the Championship Game.
(L to R, Front): Fred Godbee (father), Jack Godbee, Mandy Godbee (mother); (Back): Gray Meredith.Photo by Mike Branch
2025 Cheer Coach of the Year Ann Michelle Toole.Photo by VHS
