War Eagles win playoff game, 28-14

War Eagle defensive back Auvion Thomas goes airborne as he returns an interception 50 yards in the playoff game against the Menendez Falcons. Wakulla won 28-14. (PHOTOS BY KEN FIELDS)

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla War Eagles got a dominant win over the Menendez (St. Augustine) Falcons on Friday night, 28-14.
Head Coach Scott Klees was pleased with his team’s performance – with his defense playing lights out, special teams doing well, and the offense controlling the ball and pace of play.
“I’m really, really proud of all three aspects,” Klees said.
Ranked No. 4, Wakulla will travel to Jacksonville on Friday night to face the No. 1 ranked Raines Vikings.
Raines demolished 8th ranked Bay County 53-14 last week.
(The other side of the regional bracket is No. 2 Godby hosting No. 3 Bishop Kenny from Jacksonville. The top regional team here will be in the Final Four to face regional winners from Tampa, Miami and Orlando.)
For Klees, scouting on Raines is that “They’re very athletic, big upfront on both sides of the ball and fast.”
They are also “always, always highly ranked and good.”
“If we can execute our game plan, we have a great chance,” Klees said. “If we play our A game, we definitely have a chance.”
The game plan? Defense needs to get three-and-outs and get Raines off the field. The offense needs to control the ball.
“We need to be able to run the ball to set up our play-action pass,” Klees said.

The War Eagles roar onto the field to start Friday night’s playoff game against the Menendez Falcons.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

MVP was running back Sion Ransom, who was a work horse against Menendez, carrying the ball 29 times for 171 yards and three touchdowns.
Offensive Player of the Week was Jordan Barnes, wo had 11 catches for 126 yards.
Defensive Player of the Week was defensive back Auvion Thomas, who had two interceptions – including a special play in which he tipped a pass to himself, caught it, and ran the interception 50 yards the other way.
Special Teams player was kicker Colby Carranza, who was perfect on extra points and had “great kickoffs,” Klees said.
Quarterback Owen Klees also had a good night completing 28 of 38 pass attempts for 353 yards and a touchdown, and one interception. He also rushed five times for 50 yards.

Jordan Barnes slips by Falcon defenders.

RECAP

Wakulla won the toss and deferred to second half. Three and out for Falcons. Punt to Wakulla to 19. War Eagle drive stalls but kept alive by roughing the punter penalty. Next play, Owen Klees pass to Danny Godbolt for touchdown. Wakulla up 7-0 with 7 minutes in 1Q.
Penalty filled drive for Menendez, but they overcome it – 10 yard touchdown pass and extra point ties it with 3:06 left in 1Q.
In the second quarter, 18 yard touchdown run by Sion Ransom puts Wakulla back on top. Extra point good it’s 14-7 War Eagles.
Later in the second, 4th and short and Wakulla defense gets the stop. First down War Eagles at their 44.
That set up Sion Ransom’s second rushing touchdown of the game. Extra point makes it 21-7 with 2:53 left in the half.
Then the big interception by Auvion Thomas – tipped it and then caught it and returned to the Menendez 40 with 1:49 left in the half.
Thomas would catch a pass to the 1 with 19 seconds left, but the War Eagles could not score before time elapsed.
In the second half, Wakulla took the kickoff but turned the ball over on downs. A few plays later, Thomas had his second pick of the night for Wakulla.
The War Eagles would drive the ball down to the 1, where it would take a few tries, but Ransom had his third touchdown on the night. Wakulla up 28-7.
On Wakulla’s next possession, deep in their own territory, Klees was scrambling, under pressure, hit as he tried to throw, the ball picked and scores for Menendez. Extra point makes it Wakulla 28, Menendez 14 with 2:37 left in 3Q.
In the 4th, Wakulla chewed up almost half the quarter on a long drive – it didn’t produce points but it kept the ball away from the Falcons.
The War Eagle defense stopped the Falcons, who were forced to punt, downed at the Wakulla 14 with 4:39 left.
Wakulla got a first down and ran out the clock.
Final: Wakulla 28, Menendez 14.

Wakulla Head Football Coach Scott Klees

Coach’s Corner

Last week: The War Eagles played well in all three aspects of the game: Offense, defense and special teams for a big playoff win.
Scouting: The Raines Vikings are athletic, big upfront on both sides of the ball, and fast. The No. 1 ranked team in the region.
Keys to victory: War Eagles need their defense to get three-and-outs. Offense needs to control the ball and get the running game going to set up play-action passing.

2024 War Eagle schedule

  • Fri, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. vs. Port St. Joe at WHS.
  • Fri, 8/30 at 7:30 p.m. against Taylor County in Perry.
  • Fri, 9/6 at 7 p.m. at Chiles.
  • Thu, 9/20 at 7 p.m. vs. FAMU DRS at WHS.
  • Fri, 9/27 at 7 p.m. vs Suwannee at WHS.*
  • Fri, 10/4 at 7 p.m. vs. St. John Paul II at WHS.
  • Fri, 10/11 at 7 p.m. vs. Godby at WHS.*
  • Fri, 10/18 at 7 p.m. vs. South Walton at WHS.
  • Fri, 10/25 at 7 p.m. at Baker County. *
  • Fri, 11/1 at 7 p.m. vs. Gadsden County at WHS.
  • * – District Game

2024 War Eagle JV schedule

  • Thursday, 8/22 at 6:30pm vs Madison County at WHS
  • Thursday, 8/29 at 7:00pm vs Gadsden County at Gadsden County
  • Thursday, 9/12 at 6:00pm vs Munroe at WHS
  • Thursday, 9/19 at 6:30pm vs Taylor County at WHS
  • Wednesday, 9/25 at 6:30pm vs Chiles at WHS
  • Thursday, 10/3 at 6:30pm vs Florida State University HS at FSUHS
  • Thursday, 10/17 at 6:00pm vs Arnold at Arnold