“We’ve got a good group of kids,” Jacobson said. “They’re fun kids to be around and coach.”

“Jordan’s got some athletes, no doubt about it,” Valdosta head coach Rick Tomberlin said. “They looked pretty good on film. I tell you, they worry me. They spread you out and throw it, and they do a good job of it.”

Last Friday, Jordan routed Layton 35-0. Taylor threw three touchdown passes, and the Beetdiggers’ defense held Layton’s passing attack to just 144 yards of total offense and no points in the victory.

Jordan arrived in Valdosta on Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, they toured Moody Air Force Base. The team was also scheduled to go to Wild Adventures during their time in Valdosta. On Thursday evening, the team held a closed practice at Valdosta’s stadium, which gave them a chance to work out on the Sprinturf playing surface at Bazemore-Hyder. Before practice, the team toured the Wildcat Museum at the stadium.

Practicing at the stadium also gave Jordan a chance to experience South Georgia’s intense heat and humidity, which Jacobson admitted was a concern.

“I’m worried about the humidity,” he said. “We’re not used to (South Georgia humidity).”

Unlike most of his players, Jacobson has been to Georgia before. He did his missionary work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Georgia in the early 1980’s. He spent time in Columbus, LaGrange, Griffin and Rome. He came away from his mission with fond memories of the Peach State.

“You have a lot of great people in the state of Georgia,” Jacobson said. “The people there are so nice. You truly feel southern hospitality there.

“While I was there, I got to see Georgia play BYU when Herschel Walker was playing for Georgia and Steve Young was the quarterback for BYU. Those were two amazing players, and what a great experience to get to see them play against each other.”

Jacobson has also talked about Valdosta with former Valdosta State offensive coordinator Mike Leach, now the head coach at Texas Tech. Leach was a friend and teammate of Jacobson’s growing up in Cody, Wyo.

So what is a Beetdigger?

Jordan’s mascot dates back to the school’s early days, when students were dismissed from school each fall to help local farmers harvest the sugar beets. Though the sugar beet industry is gone from the Sandy area, the school has kept the unique nickname for its athletic teams.

This will be Valdosta’s season opener. Last week, the Wildcats defeated Bainbridge 16-13 in a scrimmage at Bazemore-Hyder.