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HAHIRA — A familiar opponent returns to Valwood’s schedule Friday night as the top-ranked Valiants host No. 9 Sherwood Christian in the teams’ first meeting since 2013.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Goddard Field at Sikes Stadium. Valwood enters the GIAA AA/A Region 3 matchup at 6-1 overall and 1-0 in region play, while Sherwood brings a 4-2 record and an 0-1 region mark. The teams’ rankings come from the Oct. 4 MaxPreps GIAA AA standings.

For Valwood, the goal is to keep a five-game winning streak rolling after a commanding 52-0 victory over Brookwood. The Valiants have outscored opponents 219-63 during that stretch, pairing an explosive offense with a defense coming off its second shutout of the season.

Senior running back Kamari Jackson and senior quarterback Stanton Beverly lead an offense that can threaten defenses in several ways. Valwood’s recorded Hudl totals credit Jackson with 956 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, while Beverly has accounted for 871 passing yards, 693 rushing yards and 23 combined passing and rushing touchdowns.

Those totals remain provisional because camera gaps affected the Brookwood report, but the production illustrates the challenge facing Sherwood: slowing one runner still leaves several other options.

Sophomore Brycen Wetherington adds another threat in the backfield, while Holt Folsom is coming off a Brookwood performance that included 106 recorded rushing yards and two touchdowns. Jackson was credited with 126 yards and three scores on just eight carries in that victory.

Valwood can also capitalize through the air. Rylan Neal caught two touchdown passes against Brookwood, and fellow receivers Malachi Thomas and Greyson Bailey give Beverly additional targets when defenses crowd the line of scrimmage.

Sherwood arrives looking to rebound from a 54-22 loss to Southwest Georgia Academy in its region opener. The Eagles have shown their own scoring ability, averaging 34.5 points per game and combining for 97 points in consecutive wins over Chattahoochee County and Calhoun County before last week’s defeat.

Junior quarterback Chuck LaGrange presents a challenge as both a passer and runner. Freshmen Bryson Gay and Dyson Harris provide receiving options, making containment and sound tackling central to Valwood’s defensive task.

Under head coach Doug Eason, Sherwood is navigating its first season back in 11-man football after winning an eight-man state championship in 2025. Its posted 31-player roster includes 11 freshmen and just four seniors, putting added importance on how the Eagles handle sustained drives against Valwood’s varied rushing attack.

The matchup also renews a series Valwood leads 9-6. The Valiants won the last meeting 43-7 in 2013, following a 59-7 home victory in 2012.

Thirteen years later, the immediate stakes are a fresh region result. Valwood can move to 2-0 in region play and extend its winning streak to six; Sherwood has an opportunity to rebound with a road victory over the classification’s top-ranked team.