Valwood's game on Friday was all tied up 14-14 at the half, but sadly for them it didn't stay that way. They took a 27-21 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Tiftarea Academy Panthers. The Valiants were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Panthers apparently hadn't forgotten their defeat the last time these teams played back in September of 2023.
Despite the loss, Valwood saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Braylon Neal rushed for 236 yards and a touchdown while picking up 9.1 yards per carry. Those 236 rushing yards set a new season-high mark for Neal.
Neal was just one part of a punishing run game: Valwood was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 236 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 167 rushing yards in 18 consecutive matchups dating back to last season.
John Robert Walker was his usual excellent self, rushing for 214 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 7.6 yards per carry, and also throwing for 155 yards and a touchdown on only 12 passes for Tiftarea Academy. Walker has been hot for a while, having posted two or more rushing touchdowns the last nine times he's played. John Jackson was Walker's top target, picking up 129 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Valwood's defeat was their third straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 7-3. As for Tiftarea Academy, the win (which was their fifth in a row) raised their record to 9-1.
Valwood will be playing at home against Frederica Academy at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Valwood is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 30.5 points per game this season. Tiftarea Academy does not have any more games scheduled as of now.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
