South Georgia Wildcats



Years of Existence: 2005-2009
Venue: Albany Civic Center (Albany, GA)
Accomplishments:
2005 –
2006 -
2007 - Quarterfinal appearance
2008 - South Division champions, playoff appearance
2009 - Playoff appearance
Lifetime Record: 40-44
Home: 21-21
Away: 19-23
Playoffs: 1-3
Average Attendance: 4,925

The South Georgia Wildcats, after moving from Fayetteville, NC, were very unsuccessful in their first year at their new home in Albany, GA. The Wildcats lost several close games; they could have had a 11-5 season. As it was, the team got their three victories from Albany, Arkansas, and Birmingham. Also, despite the losing, the Wildcats have drawn several large home crowds. Donnie Davis remained the head coach for the 2006 season, and again the team went 3-13. The Wildcats did upset the defending champion Memphis Xplorers, 48-41 and dropped 82 on Tennessee Valley. In 2007, the Wildcats got out to a 7-2 start, eclipsing their total number of wins in the two previous years. The team stumbled down the stretch, however, losing four of their last seven. The Wildcats missed winning the division in the final week of the regular season, dropping them from the third seed to the sixth seed in the playoffs. However, the Wildcats powered past the Florida Firecats for the third time that year. South Georgia then traveled to Tulsa. The WIldcats were in it in the fourth quarter, trailing 35-28, but were unable to score and ended up losing, 49-28. In 2008, the Wildcats started 5-4, but won seven straight to end the regular season. The Wildcats were responsible for Spokane's only regular season loss, a 57-55 defeat in Washington as time expired. Andrico Hines and Cecil Lester split time at quarterback and P.J. Berry led the team in receiving with over 1,400 yards and 28 touchdowns. After securing a division title, the Wildcats would host a first round playoff game against Manchester. Manchester rode a four game winning streak into the postseason and defeated the Wildcats by capitalizing on a recovered fumble in the final minute to win 46-42. Darnell Kenedy led the Wildcats in 2009, throwing 81 touchdown passes to just 11 interceptions. He also ran for 21 scores. The team produced three 1,000+ yard receivers in Alvan Robinson, Clenton Rafe, and Antwone Savage. The team had several strong fourth quarters and it turns out that this is the only quarter where the Wildcats outscored their opponents (285-174). The Wildcats allowed opponents to convert 53% of fourth downs and score 80% of the time in the redzone. Towards the end of the season, the team went on a three game losing streak in which no transactions were posted by the league. Reports later surfaced that the team owed approximately $80,000 in league dues to play in the postseason. The money was payed and the team finished at 11-5 and would host Kentucky in the first round of the playoffs. Kentucky would win the season series with a 66-63 upset win of the Wildcats. Following the 2009 season, the Wildcats folded.