By Bryant Roberts

HAHIRA – The Valwood Valiants (6-2) returned to Goddard Field on Friday to host the Brookwood Warriors (0-8) for the Valiants Senior Night. The Valiants were looking to get back on track after a 27-6 loss to Deerfield-Windsor in Albany last Friday.

Valwood not only won, 38-7, but more importantly stayed in the mix for the District 3-3A championship. Tiftarea Academy scored in the last minute to defeat Terrell Academy to remain the conference’s only undefeated team. Deerfield-Windsor ended its regular Friday with only one 3-3A loss, meaning all three teams have a shot at the title. The Valiants and Panthers play this week.

With 10:41 to go in the first quarter, the Valiaints’ defense looked to force a Warriors punt early but would be forced to stay on the field after a 12-yard catch by the Brookwood tight end. Four plays later, the Valiants had another chance to get off the field after forcing the Warriors into a fourth-and-8 are their own 32 yard line.

The Warriors lined up in punt formation but faked the punt and pick up the first down after a 9-yard catch near the Brookwood sideline.

With 7:02 to go in the first, the Valwood defense finally got off the field after a pressure from Mills Moorman forced a bad pass on fourth down.

Taking over at the Brookwood 47, the Valiants only needed three plays to score, taking the lead on a 43-yard touchdown run by Braylon Neal with 5:57 to play in the opening quarter. The Valiants elected to go for 2 after a penalty by the Warriors moved the ball closer to the goal line, taking an 8-0 lead after a QB keeper from Asher Wells.

On the next Warriors drive, the Valwood defense would only need four plays to force a punt, giving the ball back to the offense with 4:33 to play in the first.

With the ball at their own 40-yard line, the Valiants offense moved into Warrior territory after a 13-yard rush by Neal. On the next play, a 12-yard catch and run by Dywan Powell moved the offense to the Brookwood 35 yard line.

Two plays later, a 28-yard run by Kamari Jackson set the Valiants offense within the Brookwood 6 .

At 2:13 to play in the first quarter, the Valiants lead was pushed to 14-0 after Cort Kurrie took the touch pass from Wells for a 6-yard touchdown. Tommy Marrero’s PAT would be good, giving the Valiants a 15-0 lead.

Much like their last drive, the Valwood defense would not be on the field long, giving the ball back to the offense after a Dustin Gibbs interception on fourth down at midfield.

With 43.6 to play in the first quarter, the Valiants offense only needed one play to add more to their lead, taking a 21-0 lead after a 50-yard touchdown run from Wells. Marrero made his second PAT, giving the Valiants the 22-0 lead with 31.3 to play in the quarter.

On the next Brookwood drive, Moorman sacked the Warriors’ quarterback on second down. On third-and-14, Andrew Belcher forced a pass breakup, forcing the Warriors to line up in punt formation. Valwood bobbled the return, giving the ball back to Brookwood.

Back on defense, Moorman got his second sack of the night. After giving up three yards on third down, the Valiants defense got off the field after a breakup by Ayundrae Belcher on fourth down.

With the ball at the Valwood 42, the Valiants moved into Brookwood territory over the next four plays, including a 3-yard rush on third and 2 by Kamari Jackson. At 7:26, Wells added 26 yards to his rushing total, moving the ball to the Brookwood 15 yard line. Two plays later, Wells connected with Mason Corbett for a 13-yard reception.

With 4:58 to go in the half, Wells kept the ball again, scoring from one yard out to put the Valiants up 28-0. Marrero made his third PAT, pushing the Valiants lead to 29-0.

Over the next four minutes, the Warriors controlled the clock, moving the ball into Valwood territory on a 28-yard, nine-play drive that ended after a TFL from Deonte Henley on fourth-and-3 with 43.8 seconds in the half.

Looking to push the Valiants lead to end the half, Marrero kicked a 29-yard field goal with 0.8 seconds left after a 37-yard catch by Corbett on the previous play put the Valiants at the Brookwood 12.

The Valiants took a 32-0 lead into halftime.

After picking up 11 yards on the first two plays of the second half, the Valiants were forced to punt after being set back due to a sack and penalties over the next three.

With the ball at the Valwood 40, the Warriors were faced with a fourth-and-1 decision after picking up nine yards on third down. Electing to keep the offense on the field, the Warriors turned the ball over on downs after Jack Shepard tackled the Warriors quarterback in the backfield for a loss.

Much like their last drive, the Valiants offense stalled, being forced to punt the ball back to the Warriors just four plays later.

After the Valwood defense returned the favor and forced a 3-and-out of their own, the Valiants finally found their groove again, moving the ball to midfield after rushes of 19 and 10 by Neal on back-to-back plays. The series, though, ended on a turnover.

The Warriors took advantage of the turnover, moving the ball deep into Valwood territory after a 39-yard pass. On first down from the Valiants’ 12, Austin Corbett and Powell brought the Warriors runner down for a yard loss. Over the next three plays, the Valiants’ defense shut the Warriors receivers down, forcing three straight incompletions, with a fourth down pressure from Cannon Brantley.

With 1:15 to play in the third, Coach Brad Wells started rotating in the B-team Valiants. On the first two plays of the Valiants drive, Jackson moved the ball into Brookwood territory after rushes of 33 and 19, running out the third quarter clock.

A running clock was implemented for the fourth quarter.

Facing a fourth-and-long at the Brookwood 37 yard line, Coach Wells elected to keep the offense on the field, allowing for the Valwood drive to continue after a 21-yard rush by Jackson.

With a fresh set of downs at the Brookwood 16, Luke Lanier connected with Camden Crump for four yards. After a seven-yard rush from Jackson, Lanier kept the ball for five yards, pushing the Valwood lead to 38-0. The PAT failed.

On the next drive, Brookwood had their best drive of the night, scoring from 45 yards out to cut the Valiants’ lead to 38-7.

Valwood’s last drive saw them run the clock out with Lanier and Jackson each picking up 10 yards on the final two plays of the game.