THOMASVILLE — A tough regular season and brutal region slate has come and gone for Brookwood.

The GISA Class AAA playoffs will begin tonight for the Warriors.

Despite posting a 2-8 regular-season record, Brookwood will open the playoffs on the road at Pinecrest Academy. Although Brookwood has lost its most games since 2004, coach Robert East is hoping his team will play loose tonight with a nothing-to-lose attitude.

“We’re trying to communicate to them that there is a purpose in what we’re doing,” East said. “We have an equal shot at winning this weekend. We’ve got to do what we can do to get better as a team.

“(No.) four seeds are supposed to roll over and die,” East added. “There’s no pressure on us, so our job is to go out there and let it all hang out, play to the best of our ability and see if good things can happen.”

Good things will happen for Brookwood if the Warriors can control the line of scrimmage against a much-bigger Paladins teams. Pinecrest used its size advantage in reeling off nine straight wins to end the season. That’s a big concern for East.

“They’re probably going to try to come right at us because of the size advantage that they have. We’ve got to do a great job in getting on our angles, both offensively and defensively,” East added.

After a season-opening shutout defeat to Edgewood Academy (Ala.), the Paladins have scored in double digits in every game during their winning streak. They’ve also only allowed two teams to reach 10 points. It’ll be a tough challenge for the Warriors, who have been shut out in their last two games.

“Defensively, they’re a six-man front. We feel like they may drop into a 5-2 against us at times,” East said.

“As a six-man front, they’re trying to muscle you at the line of scrimmage. They do a good job with that.”