QB Jake Garcia withdraws from Valdosta High

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - The Valdosta High School’s quarterback withdrew from the school Tuesday.

Head Coach Rush Propst confirmed to WALB that Jake Garcia withdrew from Valdosta High.

The Valdosta Wildcats must also forfeit the team’s first win against Warner Robins, according to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA).

For the Cats, it’s back to the drawing board as they gear up for their first game since October 9th.

“Just numb, just numb. I mean nothing surprises me anymore. Nothing surprises me with anything," said Valdosta High Head Football Coach Rush Propst.

He addressed the team Tuesday after Jake Garcia’s departure.

“All I can worry about is what’s ahead of me and our players. So my concentration and focus is going to be towards our football team and getting our football team ready for the playoffs and that’s all I know how to do and that’s what I will do," said Propst.

All signs point to Grayson High School as Garcia’s next stop.

Though, nothing has been made official.

“For the Wildcats, it’s next man up. For us, it’s Amari Jones," said Propst.

The Cats have been at the center of controversy since the beginning of the season.

Propst continued, "With everything we’ve been hit with the past couple days with COVID and contact tracing and the Jake Garcia thing, it just seems like every day it’s more piling on, more piling on.”

For a team desperate to find it’s footing, Friday is crucial.

“Playing Westfield out of Jacksonville will give us some clarity of where our football team is heading. And maybe we can start gaining some identity moving forward," said Propst.

Despite the limited time left in the regular season, the Cats are looking to accomplish a lot in 2020.

“We’ve just got to continue to move forward and keep a positive attitude and go to practice and fight and claw and scrap," said Propst.

For Garcia, it’s nothing but well-wishes from his now-former head coach.

Propst told me he’s always going to be supportive of Jake going forward and hopes they played a small part in his development.

GHSA upheld its initial ruling of the forfeiture after Valdosta High appealed having to give up the win against the Warner Robins Demons.

The forfeiture came after GHSA deemed Garcia ineligible to play.

This is a developing sports story and we will update as more information becomes available.

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