VALDOSTA — Historically, the Valdosta Wildcats have excelled under the Friday night lights. They also played pretty well under the Saturday sun.

Valdosta High opened its 2007 season with a 23-21 victory over Utah power Jordan Saturday morning at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. The Wildcats overcame some big mistakes and a potent Beetdiggers offense to earn the victory.

“First of all, I’m proud of my players,” Valdosta head coach Rick Tomberlin said. “I think this team is special. This is a real good win for the Valdosta Wildcats, and for these players. It’s good to get a win, and to get one over a real good football team.”

The Wildcats and the Beetdiggers were supposed to play Friday night, but lightning and rain caused the game to be postponed until Saturday morning.

Saturday’s game came down to the final two minutes. With Valdosta clinging to a 23-21 lead, Jordan took over at midfield following a punt. Quarterback Chaun Cook’s first two passes fell incomplete.

Then on third down, Cook tried to find a receiver along the left side of the field. But Valdosta linebacker Curtis Weatherspoon read the play, and picked off the pass. The Wildcats kneeled down three times, and walked off the field victorious.

“It’s exciting to win this game,” Valdosta running back David Arnold said. “I believe this win sets the tone for the whole season. It’s gotten everybody up about the win, and it helps our confidence.”

Arnold was the offensive star for Valdosta, rushing for 105 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. He also caught three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.

“It wasn’t just me,” Arnold said. “I had help from God, my coaches and especially my offensive line. They made it happen for me. I’m tired, but it was worth it.”

“David had a great game,” Tomberlin said. “He’s a good player.”

On its second possession, Jordan marched 70 yards for the first score. The Beetdiggers, who flew in from Sandy, Utah to face the Wildcats, moved the ball from their own 30 to the Valdosta 24. On third-and-10 from the 24, receiver Bridger Battaglia slipped behind the secondary and Cook found him wide open in the end zone for the touchdown. Garrett Blaisdell’s extra point gave Jordan a 7-0 lead.

On back-to-back possessions, Valdosta drove deep into Beetdiggers territory, but turned the ball over both times. First, Turner threw an off-balance pass that Jordan’s Darren Carter picked off at the 1. Then, after Valdosta’s defense held, the ’Cats marched back inside the 10. But on first-and-goal from the 4, Marcus McNair coughed up the ball, and it was recovered by Jordan at the 2.

But that field position helped Valdosta get on the scoreboard. On first down, the Valdosta defense took down Jordan’s Hayden Moss in the end zone. Officials conferred, then called it a safety.

Valdosta then marched in for its first touchdown. A seven-yard run by Arnold and three straight runs by fullback Damian White moved the ball to the Jordan 14. On third-and-3, Arnold took the handoff, took a step left, then cut back to his right. He found an opening, and raced 14 yards untouched for the score. Then quarterback Michael Turner found Perry King for a two-point conversion, giving Valdosta a 10-7 lead.

The Wildcats began their next possession at the Jordan 33. On the first play, Turner threw a lateral to receiver Tavoris Belcher, who is also a back-up quarterback. Belcher then threw the ball deep, and Arnold hauled in the pass for the touchdown, giving Valdosta a 16-7 lead.