TALLAHASSEE – The Valwood Valiants (1-4) were 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter but were left with a 50-44 loss to the North Florida Christian Eagles (4-1) Friday night.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the game was drawn three times – a wild conclusion.
The Eagles opened the fourth quarter with a chance to recapture the lead from the Valiants. After great offensive games by Pickles, the Eagles found themselves back in Valiants territory.
In a crucial third down, Pickles hit receiver Ray Daly with a 30-yard touchdown pass, giving the Eagles a 42-38 lead with 11:15 in the third quarter.
The game felt like it was a heavyweight fight as both teams were throwing haymaking all the time.
The Valiants came out on their next drive with the intention of answering the Eagles’ touchdown. Sanders and Pettigrew traded the role of go-to guy for the Valiants and took on hard yards when they were in the red zone.
On the next play from the one-yard line, Pettigrew dropped his shoulder to get the Valiants into the end zone.
Push the Valiants back in front of the Eagles 44-42 with over 6 minutes remaining. The Eagles would have one more answer for the Valiants as they drove across the field in four games.
The Eagles slid the ball to running back Devon Jackson, who slipped into the end zone and put the finishing touches to the game.
Valiants coach Justin Henderson was very happy with his team performance despite the defeat.
“I thought our offensive line set the pace of the game by just dragging and hammering throughout the game,” said Henderson. “We had that ‘It’ factor that we were looking for and they kept fighting. I’m proud of their achievement and proud of how this team develops in the future.”
After giving up a touchdown to open the third quarter, the Valiants offense tried to level the result immediately. Tahj Sanders and Noah Pettigrew spun the carries while the Valiants drove down the field until Pettigrew stormed into the end zone and narrowed the lead to 30:24 with 6:24 in the third quarter.
The Valiants successfully recovered the onside kick as the Eagles did to open the second half with the potential to tie the game. The Valiants got back to work as soon as they drove the ball into the red zone.
Once again, the Valiants relied on Pettigrew, who carried a line of Eagles defenders into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown to tie the game at 30 at 2:44 in the third quarter.
The Eagles had an answer for the Valiants when they came out on a rapid fire offensive. Eagles quarterback JP Pickles went 4 for 4 in the passing game as he led them into the end zone.
On the next play, from the 6-yard line, Pickles called his own number as he made his way down the defensive line for a 6-yard touchdown and the Eagles 36-30 ahead, 34 seconds back half pushed into the front.
With another offensive possession before halftime, the Valiants offense took just one play from Scrimmage as Sanders rumbled up after a 47-yard touchdown to re-tie the game. Pettigrew hit in the two-point conversion to give Valwood a 38-36 lead – the team’s first lead in the game.
Pettigrew had 24 carries for 179 yards and three touchdowns, while Sanders finished 18 carries for 175 yards with three of his own scores.
Junior Eli Pay led the Valiants into defeat with six tackles.
NEXT
The Valiants are returning home this week as they prepare for the John Milledge Academy on Friday, which is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m.
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