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.
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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.
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