MACON — The GIAA crowned a new Class 3A football champion Thursday night as the Valwood Valiants ended the 62-game winning streak by John Milledge Academy. The final score was 42-21.

In head coach Brad Wells’ first season in charge, the Valiants broke a 21-21 third quarter tie with 21 consecutive points.

The loss was the first for John Milledge since the 2018 state championship game.

After battling from a 13-0 early deficit, Valwood went ahead 21-13, but the Trojans tied it at 21 with 1:37 left in the third quarter.

That tie was the last time the game was ever close.

Starting on their own 36 after the kickoff, De’Mar Riley picked up a yard on a run. On second down, quarterback Tayt Snellgrove kept it, this time bursting through the Trojan defense for a 63-yard touchdown run, giving the Valiants a 28-21 lead with 45 seconds left in the third after Wyatt Wolford’s extra point kick.

Down 28-21, John Milledge got into Valwood territory at the start of the fourth period on a Kolt McMichael pass to Jalen Butts, but on fourth-and-seven, Andrew Belcher broke up a pass attempt to get the ball back.

Riley exploded on the first play of the new Valwood drive with a 53-yard touchdown run, placing the ball deep in Trojans territory. Riley lost a yard, then Snellgrove gained eight on second down. On third down, Triston White scored his touchdown of the game on a two-yard run at 8:16. Wolford’s kick gave the Valiants some breathing room at 35-21.

Any chances of a John Milledge comeback ended quickly.

Hunter Paylo forced a fumble and Valwood was in business at the 47.

An unnecessary roughness call boosted a Marquis Fennell run for a fresh set of downs at the 38. Fennell picked five on a pair of runs, setting up a 33-yard touchdown pass from Snellgrove to Riley at 6:28. At 42-21, Valwood now had the Trojans doubled up.

Down 21 points, the Trojans looked for a comeback with less than seven minutes left, keeping the ball in the air for most of the 16-play, 4:07 drive. McMichael completed to Bud Veal at the Valiants’ 12, but they got no closer than the 7. Paylo broke up a pass in the end zone on third down, then did so again on fourth when McMichael attempted to go to Butts.

Valwood took over with 2:21 remaining.

Riley took three handoffs to run out the clock, completing the upset and ending John Milledge’s 62 consecutive wins.

Valwood received the opening kickoff but were pinned deep by the Trojans, forcing White to punt out of his own end zone.

Starting at the Valwood 41, Butts ran for three yards on his first carry. Veal picked up JMA’s second first down on a catch from McMichael at the 10. Pass interference gave them a fresh set of downs. Dallas Hatfield made a tackle in the backfield and Landen Ryan broke up a pass, and on fourth-and-goal at the 2, Hatfield and Belcher stopped the Trojans for no gain.

Valwood was unable to get anything going and had to punt out of the end zone again. John Milledge again began their drive at the 41.

This possession had similarities, with the Trojans again in a fourth-and-goal at the 2. However, Butts went over from there and John Milledge took a 7-0 lead with 12 seconds left in the first period.

The lead extended to 13-0 at 9:58 in the second quarter. Veal caught a long touchdown pass from McMichael to overcome a first-and-25 on a chop block. JMA would not get the point-after, however, as an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty made for a long try the Valiants blocked.

Valwood bobbled the kickoff, but made it to midfield for their best opportunity so far. Dalton Smith gained six on a Snellgrove pass. Snellgrove ran for 10, then hit Fennell for 10 to get to the 30. On the next play, White found a huge hole in the Trojan defense, going all the way for a touchdown at 8:48. Wolford kicked the point to pull to 13-7.

The Trojans had to punt on their possession, and Valwood needed little time to take advantage after a pass interference call.

With third-and-11 on their own 38, Snellgrove hit Fennell, who glided the 62 yards down the field for a touchdown at 5:07. Wolford broke the 13-13 tie with the all-imptorant kick.

Milledge almost picked up a fourth-and-15 with a 13-yard pass from McMichael to Butts, but it was not enough. Valwood had the ball again, albeit at their own 19.

Riley got them out of the hole with a 22-yard rush. Another penalty put them on the Trojans side of the field. A pass to Fennell had a facemask penalty at the end, moving the ball to the 10. Valwood was in trouble with a big loss on a botched snap and JMA blocked a field goal try. The halftime score was 14-13 in Valwood’s favor.

Ryan picked off McMichael after the Trojans got very deep into Valwood territory to start the second half.

Just like they have all season, the Valiants quickly made big gains when they needed. Fennell broke through for a 51-yard run, which came with the bonus of a sideline warning penalty. With the ball now on the JMA 31, Riley added 12 yards on a run to get into the red zone. On the next play Snellgrove kept the ball, scoring from 19 yards out. At 8:59, Wolford’s kick extended the lead to 21-13.

After an exchange of punts, the Trojans had their last huge drive of the night. Veal caught a 28-yard touchdown in stride for the last John Milledge touchdown at 1:37. Veal caught a conversion pass from McMichael, tying the score at 21-all.

Valwood finished 11-1 in 2023, their lone loss to North Florida Christian. This was their first state title since 2017 and seventh overall. Their average score in 2023 was 49-17.