Brookwood's Marcus West looks for room against Valwood on Friday night. West had one of the Warriors' three second-half touchdowns.

THOMASVILLE — Shane Boggs  made it a point to commend his team for their resiliency and valor Friday night.

His Brookwood Warriors gave him to do so.

The Warriors, eliminated from a shot at the GISA Class AAA playoffs the week prior, rallied time and time again Friday night against Valwood before ultimately falling 44-29 in their home finale. 

The Valiants improved to 7-2 on the season and 3-0 in Region 3-AAA. Brookwood fell to 3-7 overall and 0-4 in the region

“Our kids, I’m so proud of them,” Boggs said. “They played so hard. They gave themselves opportunities to beat a great team. I’m just disappointed we didn’t get the win. But I’ll always remember this group as a group of fighters.

“I’m so impressed with their effort and so impressed with their belief down the stretch,” Boggs continued. “I wish I could have done something to help us make another play or two.”

Brookwood trailed 27-7 after Valwood’s Pate Hogan ran in from 9 yards out to close out the second half’s opening drive.

But Marcus West scored from 12 yards out to help bring Brookwood within 27-14 barely three minutes later.

Then one of the many big breaks that didn’t go Brookwood’s way took place. A squib kick that landed just inside the sideline near the 20-yard line  looked as if it would put the Valiants deep in their own territory. Instead, it become an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

The Warriors answered with an 11-play, 79-yard drive, converting a fourth down and two third downs as Dallas Forsyth hit Grant Gaston for a 4-yard scored.

Brookwood held, but Forsyth connected with Nick Knifer for a 31-yard pickup, the Warriors fumbled on the next play. That led to a Valwood field goal and a 37-21 lead with 5:14 to go.

Knifer made another spectacular over-the-shoulder grab on the sidelines for 25 yards to move Brookwood deep into Valiant territory. Forsyth, though, was picked off two plays later, the Warriors third turnover of the game, including Aalah Brown’s 27-yard fumble return in the second quarter that put Valwood in front to stay.

Forsyth, who threw for 211 yards in the second half, led a three-play drive that ended in Nathan Yokley’s leaping 8-yard TD grab with 1:40 to go. Forsyth connected with West on the two-point play, cutting the lead to 37-29.

Valwood, though, turned another kickoff into points. Tyler Cross collected the onside kick attempt and darted 55 yards through the Warriors for a touchdown and a game-sealing touchdown. 

“Those were big plays,” Boggs said of the two kick returns. “It didn’t seem like the ball bounced our way. But it didn’t affect their effort. I’m so proud of how hard they play and their commitment to one another.”

The Warriors end the season next week on the road at Creekside Christian.

Editor Pat Donahue can be reached at (229) 226-2400 ext. 1806.