The Deerfield-Windsor (Albany, GA) and Valwood (Valdosta, GA) varsity football teams are set to meet in a crucial neutral-site playoff game tonight at 8:00 p.m. at Valwood. This game marks a key moment in the 2024 GIAA Class AAA Football Championships.

Team Records and Rankings

• Deerfield-Windsor enters the game with a 9-3 overall record and a 3-1 mark in league play. The team has been strong on its home turf, going undefeated with a 6-0 home record.
• Valwood, also sporting a 9-3 record, is coming off a season of dominant performances, especially at home with a perfect 6-0 record. The team has had a slightly tougher time on the road with a 3-3 record in away games.

Recent Matchup

In their most recent meeting on October 18, Deerfield-Windsor defeated Valwood 27-6 at home. Deerfield-Windsor capitalized on a strong second-half performance, with a 14-0 third quarter that ultimately secured the victory. This sets the stage for an exciting rematch, with Valwood looking to avenge that loss in this neutral-site playoff game.

Team Strengths

Deerfield-Windsor:

• Rushing Game: Led by Cole Jones, who averages 120.8 rushing yards per game, the team is solid on the ground, totaling 168.7 rushing yards per game.
• Passing Attack: Quarterback Lane Sceals has been a reliable performer, accumulating 228.2 passing yards per game with 243.8 total yards per game.

Valwood:

• Rushing and Passing Balance: Valwood’s offense is well-rounded, with Triston White leading the charge on the ground, averaging 113.6 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Tayt Snellgrove has been excellent in the air, posting 114.2 passing yards per game.
• Defensive Leadership: Jackson Johnson leads the defense with 7.6 tackles per game and has contributed significantly to the team’s ability to limit scoring.

Scoring Averages

• Deerfield-Windsor has averaged 28.3 points per game, with a notable performance in the fourth quarter, where they’ve averaged 9.2 points.
• Valwood, on the other hand, has averaged 32.1 points per game, scoring most notably in the second quarter (11.5 points per game) and maintaining solid performances throughout the game.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Both teams have shown strength in their respective games, with Deerfield-Windsor averaging 396.8 total yards per game, while Valwood comes in slightly lower with 324.8 total yards per game. Both teams also boast strong defenses, with Deerfield-Windsor totaling 59.9 tackles per game, and Valwood at 56.9 tackles per game.

Key Players

• Deerfield-Windsor: Cole Jones (RB), Lane Sceals (QB), and Gabe Daniel (WR) will be key in driving the offense. On defense, Mangham Pippin and Marcus Williams are crucial contributors.
• Valwood: Triston White (RB), Tayt Snellgrove (QB), and Cort Kurrie (WR) will need to step up for the offense, while Jackson Johnson will anchor the defense.

Game Outlook

With both teams boasting strong overall records and coming off impressive regular seasons, this promises to be an exciting playoff matchup. Deerfield-Windsor will look to extend its winning streak over Valwood, while Valwood will aim to bounce back from their earlier loss and secure a spot in the next round of the playoffs.

With a balanced offensive attack, solid defensive units, and a history of close competition, this GIAA Class AAA playoff game will be one to watch. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. tonight, and both teams will be ready to give it their all in a highly competitive postseason battle.