VALDOSTA — Tonight Valwood Stadium will host what very well could be the GISA 3-AA game of the year, as the defending region champion and state runner-up Valwood Valiants (6-1) play host to the top ranked GISA Class AA team in the state, the Brookwood Warriors (7-0).

“We’ve got a mighty tough task this week,” said Valwood head coach Mike Patrick on Thursday. “They have a great coach in Shane Boggs, and a bunch of hungry kids that are very good. They are definitely the team to beat in GISA-AA right now.”

Last year, the Valiants traveled to Thomasville and handed Brookwood their first region loss, and third total loss of the season, 28-21. Three weeks later, the Valiants beat the Warriors 3-0 in a round-robin play-off to win region 3-AA.

The two teams had another chance to play in the state championship game, but Brookwood fell to eventual the eventual champs, Trinity Christian.

“They were a mighty tough ball club last year and I think they’re even better this year,” said Coach Patrick. “Last year we won that game, but turned around and lost to SGA the next week which shows the parity in our league.”

Before last year, the Warriors had owned the match-up, winning for four straight years. The closest Valwood had come to beating Brookwood was in 2002, when they fell 17-14.

The Warriors come into town as the top-ranked team in the land, and are well deserving of that title. Brookwood has dominated opponents all season and they are outscoring opponents by an average of 20 points per game.

The Brookwood offense has received the majority of the attention this season with senior All-State quarterback Scott Cheney lighting up the scoreboards. The Warriors are averaging 37.9 points per game and scored a season-high 54 points against Eagle Nest Christian Academy four weeks ago.

On the year, Cheney is 62-for-104, with 1,587 yards, 18 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. He has thrown for 10 more touchdowns and nearly 600 more yards than anyone else in GISA-AA.

“He’s the best thing I’ve seen at this level, he reminds me of a young Chris Hatcher,” said Coach Patrick.

“(Cheney) can pick you apart and read the defense. He is a quality quarterback that will play at the next level, so it all starts with him.”

Cheney’s receiving core is also the state’s best, with three players ranking in the top four in receptions and yards. Keith Bentley leads the team with 24 receptions for 415 yards and two touchdowns and Blair Austin has 21 receptions for 344 yards and five touchdowns.

Running back Drew Balfour has also seen a lot of balls thrown his way. He has 24 receptions for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Balfour has also run the ball well, gaining 311 yards and seven touchdowns on 50 carries.

To compliment the offense, Brookwood has also put together a tough defense that is only allowing 17.1 points per game.

Ethan Howell is the team’s leading tackler with 36 and Clay Childs leads the team with two sacks. Sean Bell leads the secondary with three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.