Seasons come to end
THOMASVILLE — The Brookwood Warriors took on the Deerfield Windsor Knights for the second time this season in the semi-finals on Friday night. Despite a Warrior win in their first meeting, the Knights made all the necessary adjustments and pulled through with a win as the clock ran out.
Deerfield opened up scoring early on. The Warriors took first possession and made it to the DWS 41- yard line on a fourth down with 8 yards to go. Right as Quarterback Rodge Waldrop looked for an opening, he was sacked for a turnover on downs.
The Knights took over and looked for an opportunity as they made it to their third down with 2 yards to go.
With Quarterback Thomas Ray out, fillin Reid Martin got the first down. From there, alternate quarterback Ethan Johnson completed a huge pass to wide receiver Parks Cohen for another first down. As the team moved down the field, Johnson was able to walk the ball into the end zone with 5:26 left in the quarter to go up 6-0. Waylon Marbury’s extra point attempt was successful giving the Knights a 7-0 lead.
Brookwood attempted to even up the score, but a a low snap and illegal procedure on a fourth down, forced them to punt the ball back to Deerfield.
After receiving the ball and getting a 1st and 10, Martin made a huge carry to get a 1st and goal from the 7- yard line.
The Knights let the clock run down, as they ended the first quarter looking to score again.
The second quarter opened up with the Knights attempting to make a touchdown. They had been pushed back by the Warrior’s tough defense to the 10-yard line and were on their 3rd and goal. Martin was able to gain six yards, putting the team at fourth and goal, when Johnson scored his second touchdown of the night to go up 130.
As Marbury attempted the extra point, Brookwood’s Rex Schofill blocked the kick, which would haunt Deerfield throughout the rest of the game.
With a renewed spirit from the blocked kick, Brookwood took back over.
The team was once again forced into another fourth down situation with 4 yards to go at midfield. A missed catch gave the ball back to the Knights at midfield, where the Knights took full advantage, scoring once again.
Johnson got a big pickup to gain a first down, before Martin picked up another first down, putting the Knights all the way at the 29-yard line. Martin went on to score on the next play with 2:39 left in the half. Marbury’s kick was not blocked during the final attempt of the half, putting the Knights up 20-0.
The last minute of the half was critical for Brookwood if they wanted any chance at a comeback.
Brookwood made the minutes count, scoring with 18.6 seconds left.
TJ Thomas got a huge punt return, taking it to the 40-yard line for a first down. He then picked up another first down after taking the ball to the 14-yard line.
Thomas dominated, even when forced into another fourth down situation. He made a 9-yard touchdown to put the Warriors back in the game. Oskar Thompson closed out the half with a successful extra point, giving the Warriors a fighting chance, 7-20.
The team came out of the half rejuvenated, no one more so than Thomas.
Thomas scored two touchdowns within minutes of each other, with both kicks good to go up 21-20.
Brookwood had the lead for the first time in the game and held DWS to no touchdowns throughout the entire third quarter.
It appeared to be the case in the fourth quarter as well, up until the last 18 seconds.
The Knights had one opportunity to score and used a lateral play to do so.
Johnson completed a pass to the 50yard line, where the receiver then proceeded to lateral it around where the ball was later picked up back at the 30-yard line by the running back, who broke tackles and followed his blocks, taking it 70 yards into the end zone for the game winning touchdown as the clock ran out.
As the Knights rushed the field, the Warriors were understandably disappointed, but Head Coach Shane Boggs could not have been more proud of his team and their hard work and effort, especially the seniors all season long.
“I’m not just proud of the way our kids bounced back tonight, being down 20-0, but we were 2-3 a couple of months ago and reeled off all of those wins,” he said. “Our kids just kept believing in each other and kept improving.”
Boggs reminded his players that the final play did not define who they were and definitely didn’t define how much he loved them.
“I love this group and I’m just so proud of how they fight for each other, and if there was anything in the world I could do to take away their pain, I would do it,” he said. “There are so many players on this team that I am proud of, especially our seniors to be three peat region champions for the first time since 1975.”
Boggs knows the team can bounce back from this, as the work now begins for next season.
Coach Boggs reminded his players that the final play did not define who they were and definitely didn’t define how much he loved them.
Coach Boggs reminded his players that the final play did not define who they were and definitely didn’t define how much he loved them.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.