VALDOSTA — After an incredible season and playoff run, the Valwood Valiants faced off against John Milledge Academy in Valwood’s most anticipated game. The Valiants won the game 42-21, a score many found remarkably impressive due to John Milledge’s (at the time) over 60-game win streak.
Valwood’s head coach, Brad Wells, understood the situation from the outside looking in, but regarding confidence in his team, he said, “Going into it, we knew not many outside the locker room gave us much of a chance. We embraced that as a team. We have a very mature and resilient football team, and I was just glad they were able to display that on the biggest stage.”
Coach Wells attributed much of the season to the support the team received from the school and community.
“You could just tell, after the game, during the celebration with the crowd and our families, that there was just an abundance of joy,” Wells remembered. “You could tell we all felt that all the hard work we put in and the sacrifices we made during the summer had paid off, and we were able to get the state championship trophy back to Valwood.”
In his first year as head coach in the program, Wells highly values his coaching staff. “I’m just really proud of my staff. I don’t know if we could have done any better than with the group of coaches we were able to assemble. I know they’re on Cloud 9; many of them, this is their first championship, and I’m just glad I can share in that with them.”
Asked if there would be further celebration, Wells looks forward to formally recognizing the achievement with the community and the players, “We’re looking to incorporate the rings into the banquets. We’re looking forward to that and giving them the recognition they deserve.”
The Valiants are already looking forward to next season.
“The expectations going into this year were low, but we put on a great season,” he said. “Next year won’t be the same. We’ll have somewhat of a bullseye on our backs. I can speak for myself when I say I’m looking forward to defending this crown.”
The Valiants coach is grateful for the support and to be part of this achievement. “I was just very thankful for the support we got. I was astonished when we took the field to see the visitor side crowd full of fans. I think it was a definite boost to us, and I think they played a factor in the game. I was thankful we could do this for them.”
It’s safe to say a new era for Valwood football has begun. Wells and his team have earned a spotlight and a target going into next season. It is exciting to see what the future has in store for the new championship title holder.