VALDOSTA, Ga. — Absent its star running back, Bradwell Institute never stood a puncher’s chance.

No. 6 Valdosta High scored touchdowns on each of its first six possessions en route to a 50-0 shutout Friday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

The Wildcats (2-1) entered the contest with goals of scoring a touchdown on their first offensive drive, and holding South Carolina commit Kevin Harris to fewer than 100 yards rushing, and they accomplished both missions with flying colors.

Although Bradwell Institute (0-3) ultimately decided to hold out its banged up star running back in preparation of region play, Valdosta never relented as it held the Tigers to 104 yards of total offense, including just 24 on the ground.

A week after seeing their defense allow nearly 300 yards rushing and the offense struggled to put points on the board, the Wildcats flipped the script.

“I was just proud of our kids,” said head coach Alan Rodemaker. “Because our defense has really started slow, and I think we flew around straight from the start tonight. Offensively, we went down and scored.

“We’re growing up. There will be a lot to correct, but I think it’s good for our kids to have fun again.”

Valdosta took delight in moving the ball up and down the field at will against a Bradwell Institute defense that had few methods of stymieing the run or pass.

Senior running back Rajaez Mosley ran for more than 100 yards in the first half alone, finishing with 128 rushing yards and his first touchdown of the season to extend the lead to 36-0 just before halftime. As a team, the Wildcats averaged 6.75 yards on 28 carries.

In the passing game, only two Wildcat passes hit the turf all evening as quarterback Tate Rodemaker completed 16-of-18 passes for 222 yards and touchdowns to Tarrell Roberts, Aalah Brown and Jaheim Bell.

Bell also found the end zone on a pair of carries out of the wildcat formation, reclaiming the Region 1-6A lead with six touchdowns this season.

As Valdosta’s offense opened up, its defense smothered Bradwell. The Tigers had just 56 yards of total offense in the first half against an aggressive Wildcat unit as multiple defenders flowed to the ball on nearly every play.

By time a running clock was established to begin the second half, it was all smiles on the Valdosta sideline.

“I need to remember to have fun, and I haven’t had a whole lot of fun lately,” Rodemaker said. “When I’m not having fun, they’re not having fun…

“I just think it ended up being a fun win for us.”

The biggest cheer of the evening came on the final play of the game.

Trailing 50-0, Bradwell Institute called a timeout with one second remaining and lined up for a field goal after a last-minute drive against Valdosta’s reserve defense.

The Wildcats poured onto the field from the sidelines to celebrate moments after the Tigers’ field goal bounced off the crossbar and into the end zone.

“If we’ll learn to practice that way, if we’ll learn to go to class and work on our school that way, if we’ll learn to be that way as a citizen, good things are going to happen,” Rodemaker said. “You play to the end. That’s a good lesson.”

Derrick Davis is the sports editor at the Valdosta Daily Times.