VALDOSTA —
Two undefeated teams are set to clash tonight at Goddard Field when the top-ranked Valwood Valiants host the third-ranked Memorial Day Matadors in non-region play.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
“They can play ball,” Valwood head coach Ashley Henderson said. “They are going to make us earn everything we get. There is no question that if we aren’t on top of our game, we will have our hands full. It is a challenge for us.”
After three straight wins to start the season, the Valiants face a challenge tonight with the Matadors, who recorded back-to-back wins over Mount de Sales, the largest school in GISA, and Frederica Academy, winning by an average of 21.5 points.
Valwood and Memorial Day have met six times, but tonight’s meeting is the first since 1997. The Matadors have won two-straight, including a 66-6 decision in the ’97 meeting.
While Valwood has become a power in GISA Class AA football the past two seasons, Memorial Day has been a staple program at the Class A level since 2008, winning at least nine games each season, including the ’08 state championship.
““They can play ball,” Henderson said. “Based on their records the past few years, they are a real good football team. And since they made the jump to AA this season, they are playing like they have chip on their shoulder.
“The last two years they have been beat in the Class A state championship game by Westwood, who is in our region now,” Henderson continued. “(Coach Michael Thompson) has a lot of athletes on that team. It is easily the most athletic team we have seen this season. He is sharing the ball with his folks. They have some speed and they are using it to their advantage.”
One of Memorial Day’s top athletes is running back Jamal Bryant, who leads the team with 220 yards rushing with six touchdowns.
Quarterback Earl Washington runs the offense. Based out of a wing-T with the occasional spread, the Matadors are capable of making big plays, including when Washington touches the ball.
“They can do either one,” Henderson said. “They like to run the ball and get it to the edge. They have a quarterback, where if he breaks contain, he is going to hurt you bad. He is the second leading rusher on the team.”
Through the first two games, Washington is averaging over 10 yards per carry (138 yards on 13 rushing attempts).
A large key for the Matadors’ offensive success is their huge offensive line. Two lineman weigh over 320 pounds and another tackle comes in weighing at 295 pounds.
The large offensive line sets up a massive battle in the trenches, meaning Valwood players like Aulden Bynum, Griffin Clyatt and Jackson Pegg will play a massive part in helping shut down the Memorial Day offense tonight.
“No question, they’re a big, physical line,” Henderson said. “The stuff they do, they do it well. They are scoring a lot of points. They gave up some against Mount de Sales, but that is one of the better teams in triple-A.”
Defensively, Memorial Day will play man coverage on the outside and force pressure up the middle, according to Henderson.
“They are going to man you up on the outside and then blitz you up the middle,” Henderson said. “They have athletes out wide where they can afford to man you out there.”
Valwood has its share of athletes, too.
In last week’s dominating 50-15 win over Flint River, running back Khary Paige led the way with 126 yards on just five carries, finding the end zone twice.
On the season, Paige is averaging 15.2 yards per carry (203 yards on 13 rushes) with three touchdowns. Marik Merine has added 121 yards on 10 carries with a score.
Paige is also making an impact in the passing game. He is currently the second-leading receiver on the team with 4 catches for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Rashad Mathis leads the team with eight catches and three scores.
Quarterback Jake Lastinger continues to impress coaches with his transition into the spread offense. Lastinger has completed 24 of his 44 passes for 372 yards with eight touchdowns and just one interception this season.
Valwood football can be heard all season long on The Jock 1150 AM, 96.1 FM.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
The Valwood Valiants host the Memorial Day Matadors tonight at Goddard Field. Paul Leavy | Special to the Times
Discussion
Undefeated teams clash tonight
Valwood hosts Memorial Day at 7:30 p.m.
- Local Sports
-
-
Prince Automotive donates new baseball equipment
Prince Automotive of Valdosta is supporting the Valdosta community through its partnership with the Valdosta/Lowndes County Recreation Department. The dealership has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment, instructional clinics, and a monetary donation.
-
Needmore holds final races before big Memorial Day weekend
Saturday night racing at Needmore Speedway saw some new faces in victory lane.
That wasn’t the case in the Late Model division, as Valdosta's Gene Ross drove to victory once again, but not without some close competition from Steven Roberts who came in second.
In the Limited Late Model class, it was another win for Cole Exum, with Gene Maine finishing second in the NAPA Auto Parts special. -
VSU softball wins South Region, headed to nationals
For the third time in four years, and second in a row, Valdosta State’s softball team will play in the national championship tournament.
The Blazers won their third South Region championship Saturday, beating Alabama-Huntsville 8-3 in game three of the best-of-three series at Steel’s Diamond at Blazer Park. -
VSU baseball season comes to an end
Delta State scored seven unanswered runs to defeat Valdosta State 7-2 in an elimination game of the NCAA South Region Tournament at the UT Baseball Field Saturday afternoon.
-
Blazers take 1-0 series lead
Angela O’Connor launched a pinch-hit two-run home run over the left-field fence, tying the game against Alabama-Huntsville in the bottom of the sixth inning, and sparking the Blazers and their fans along the way.
-
Blazer baseball stays alive, beats Stillman
Valdosta State scored five runs in the first inning to defeat Stillman 6-2 in an elimination game of the NCAA South Region Tournament at UT Baseball Field Friday morning.
-
Lowndes’ Harwell, Wortham sign with Valdosta State
Lowndes’ Ty Harwell and David Wortham won’t have to go far to play college baseball.
-
Blazers host respected rival UAH in Super Regional
One would expect a matchup featuring two of the top softball programs in Division II to come in the national championship game.
Unfortunately for Valdosta State and Alabama-Huntsville, who have combined to appear in four straight national championship games, they won’t be meeting in title game on Memorial Day in Salem, Va. -
Pop Warner Football coming to Valdosta
Pop Warner Football is coming to Valdosta.
The nationally known organization that puts an emphasis on education and developing American youth has been established in the Valdosta area and will begin playing football this August. -
Blazers lose to Delta State, fall to loser’s bracket
If the Valdosta State baseball team is going to win the South Region Tournament, the Blazers going to have to do it from the loser’s bracket.
The Blazers (33-17) dropped their first game of the tournament Thursday, falling to Delta State 4-2 at UT Baseball Stadium.
VSU will face Stillman College, which lost to No. 1 seed and tournament host Tampa Thursday, Friday at 11 a.m. to advance to the weekend portion of the tournament. The loser will be eliminated. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
