VALDOSTA – The Valwood Valiants and Brookwood Warriors squared off in the most anticipated game of the season for both teams. In the end, Brookwood came out with a big 35-7 win at Valwood Stadium.
“Brookwood is the best team we’ve played this year,” said Valwood head coach Mike Patrick after the game. “They run a college offense, and run it well.
“We made some mistakes, and some things didn’t go our way, but we stuck around until late.”
The state’s top team, Brookwood (8-0, 1-0), had trouble with Valwood (6-2, 0-1) early, but were able to score quick and take the Valiants’ momentum out of the air time and time again.
Brookwood quarterback Scott Cheney showed why he is one of GISA’s best by running the Warriors’ spread offense, no huddle, and going 17-for-26 for 243 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
The Valiants’ offense was in stark contrast, struggling all night and totaling only 100 yards of offense, their lowest of the season.
Both defenses showed up first on the night, as neither team could get going on their first two possessions. Valwood’s first two possessions ended by punt and loss of downs, while the Warriors’ first two ended by a punt and a Todd Baker interception.
Finally, the Warriors were able to put a drive together, and with four runs and two big passes, they moved from their own 28-yard line to the Valwood 1. Then on first-and-goal from the 1, Brookwood receiver Rodger Walker tried to run the ball, but was hit by Kyle Hall and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Robert Hires for the Valiants.
The referees came in and discussed, and after about 30 seconds Brookwood retained possession on an inadvertent whistle call. On the following play, Drew Balfour took the snap and ran in the score from one yard out. Kevin Hudson converted the extra point, and Brookwood never looked back with their 7-0 lead.
On the Warriors’ following drive, they were able to score again, this time on the back of Cheney. He went 4-for-5 for 49 yards, the last pass a 10-yard strike to Chase Harvard. Kevin Hudson converted the extra-point and Brookwood led 14-0.
Valwood’s offense woke up and put together their best drive of the night. Led by Zac Henry, who went 3-for-3 for 59 yards on the drive, Valwood scored their only points of the night on a one-yard plunge by Robert Hires with 4:02 left in the half. Henry converted the extra point, and the Valiants were back in the game.
It wouldn’t be for long, though, as the Brookwood offense wasted no time putting points on the board. Cheney ran for nine yards and threw for 55 more, before hitting Sean Bell in the corner of the end zone for a 10-yard momentum-killing touchdown.
The extra point by Hudson sailed through, and Valwood fell behind 21-7 going into halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter by both teams, the Warriors were able to put the final nails in the coffin in the fourth quarter. Brookwood scored on two quick drives, first on a one-yard run from Cheney, and then on a 12-yard run by Ethan Howell. Brookwood held on to win, 35-7.
In the other GISA 3-AA game, Tiftarea defeated Southwest Georgia Academy, 33-21. Now Valwood faces SGA next week in a tough situation.
“It’s do-or-die next week against SGA,” said Patrick. “Whoever loses is pretty much out of the playoffs. We’ve got to regroup and get ready for next week.”
For Valwood, Hires had six carries for 17 yards and one touchdown. Henry went 7-for-19 with 72 yards and one interception. He also had a game-high 10 tackles. Kyle Hall had three tackles and one sack.
For Brookwood, Cheney had a game-high 61 yards rushing on 11 carries. Walker had four catches for 72 yards and Harvard had four catches for 41 yards and one touchdown.
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Discussion
Valiants fall to No. 1 Warriors
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