The Wakulla War Eagles take the field on Friday night for the preseason game in Madison County against the Cowboys.

There are only six seniors on this year’s War Eagle football team, and three of those have never played football before.

That means there’s a lot of young players – juniors and sophomores – playing this year.

Despite having so many young players, Head Coach Scott Klees notes Wakulla is ranked 3rd in the state in the Suburban classification and 56th in the state overall.

Wakulla Head Football Coach Scott Klees

Klees believes the high-rankings are because of the team’s playmakers, which include Quarterback Haden Klees, a junior, who is back under center for his third year as a starter; defensive end Todd Williams, a senior who has numerous college offers; kicker Chase Linville, a senior who was given 4.5 stars coming out of camp this year; receiver Samron Brinson, a junior; lineman Cody Walker, a senior; and running back Xavier Blake, a senior.

“How well these guys come along will determine our season,” Klees said. And while he’s obviously proud of the high preseason ranking of his team, Klees says “Rankings really mean nothing. We have to win our district games against Taylor and Suwannee.”

In an interview before the scrimmage against Madison, Klees said he was looking forward to getting a look at his team in action – and that he knew his players were ready to play.

Again, this War Eagle team is undersized, but they have speed and play hard, Klees said.

“This was one of the best summer’s we’ve ever had,” he said of summer practice. “The kids worked extremely hard.”

“We need to play to see where we’re at, and what things we need to improve on.”

Quarterback Haden Klees, son of the coach, last year threw for more than 2,300 yards with 23 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

Running back Xavier “Bull,” will be getting a lot of touches this year. Defensive end Todd Williams will have more responsibility to be a leader of the defense, and not just a player. Last year, Williams, who is listed as 6’3” and 240 pounds, racked up some gaudy numbers, including more than 100 tackles including 14 sacks.

Klees also has a high expectation for senior kicker Chase Linville. “He just has to perform.”

THIS YEAR’S SCHEDULE

The change in FHSAA classifications putting Wakulla in the Suburban class gave Klees an opportunity to go after the toughest opponents he could find. Especially important given that so much emphasis is put on “power rankings” based on strength of schedule.

Gone from the schedule is longtime rival Godby – though Klees noted that the Cougars weren’t as good as in past years and that playing Godby actually diminished Wakulla’s strength of schedule and was a factor in the War Eagles having to go on the road in last year’s playoffs. (And Klees is quick to point out how good his team is at home.)

This year’s regular season kicks off against the Chiles Timberwolves, who have yet to give up a score on defense in either the spring game or last week’s preseason game.

The schedule includes high-ranked teams like R.F. Munroe, who walloped their preseason opponent 40-0 last week, as well as Mosley, Rickards and North Florida Christian.

“There’s no one on our schedule that can’t beat us or no one we can’t beat,” Klees said.

Also, with Mosley playing Wakulla at J.D. Jones Stadium, it looks like the farthest travel during the regular season is Blountstown – unlike past years when the team was traveling to Gainesville and Ocala (and during Covid, having opponents drop out and Wakulla having to look for last-minute replacements).

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

“A big reason we’re successful is because of the overall community support,” Klees said. He praises school staff from Superintendent of Schools Bobby Pearce to Wakulla High Principal Michele Falk to district Facilities Director (and former Wakulla High principal) Mike Barwick getting a new sound system for the stadium; to the crews who keep the facility ready, and the janitors who keep the field house clean for the players; and the coach is thankful for the churches that feed his team before their Friday night home games.

War Eagles make some plays against Madison Cowboys

Quarterback Haden Klees on a scramble.

The Wakulla War Eagles varsity lost 13-7 to the Madison Cowboys in a Friday night preseason game.

The varsity played the first half, then second-string guys played the third quarter, and JV played the fourth quarter.

“Overall, I was pretty pleased with the way varsity played,” Klees said after the game.

There were mistakes, as is to be expected early in the season, Klees said, but he expected that coaches could work on issues with players and be ready for the start of the season this week.

For example, Klees said he was pleased with how the defense played: “They ran to the ball and got after it but just didn’t make tackles. That’s what we’ll work on this week: wrapping up and securing the tackle.”

For seconds and JV, same issues, he said.

Klees also said he was proud of his coaching staff: “They’re so good,” he said. “They worked so hard Monday through Thursday over the summer.” They do it, he said, “because they care about the kids.”Klees was disappointed by the score, obviously: “Varsity goes up one point then on 3rd and 15 give up a touchdown on a screen pass.”

Basically, he said, the defense gave up two big plays for scores. Xavier Blake had a big game running for 120 yards in the half, plus a touchdown.

“I told him after the game that half was a big way to start his senior year,” Klees said.

Samron Brinson had an extraordinary catch in which he laid out to grab – a 60-yard completion from QB Haden Klees.

Running back Xavier Blake breaks loose for a long run deep into the Madison red zone, but the Cowboy defenders caught him before he could score. The drive stalled

GAME RECAP

Madison scored first: a long touchdown pass late in the first quarter. They went for 2 and it was no good. Score: 6-0 Madison with 4:40 left in the first quarter.

A 70-yard run from Blake deep into Madison territory, inside the 10. But the drive stalled after a penalty for delay of game, and a 25-yard field goal was missed. Still 6-0 Madison leading with 1:54 left in the first quarter.

Coach Scott Klees talks to his offense.

In the second, Brinson lays out for a big catch that puts the War Eagles in Madison territory. A couple of runs by Blake and Wakulla has it at the 2 yard line first and goal. Two plays later, Blake scores a touchdown to tie it. Linville kicks the point after, Wakulla is up 7-6 with 8:45 left in the half.

At the 4:45 mark, Madison scores on a screen. The Cowboys kick the extra point to make it 13-7.

With time running out, the War Eagles go into their 2-minute offense but the Cowboys put the pressure on and get a couple of sacks, and then a holding call against Wakulla ends the half.

New process for buying tickets to high school athletic events

Wakulla High School announces a new process for buying athletic event tickets this year. All ticket sales will be through GoFan.co for all athletic events. Fans are encouraged to login and create an account in advance for quicker access to tickets.

Fans should visit: GoFan.co to purchase tickets or they can visit the school websites where a QR code will soon be available for scanning.

Posters with QR codes will also be available at the event site for ticket purchase. All major credit cards are accepted, along with Apple Pay.

FHSAA has new school classifications

The Florida High School Athletic Association has changed how it classifies schools – Metro, Suburban, and Rural.

Wakulla is classified as Suburban, and the three-team district for Wakulla includes Taylor and Suwannee.

No longer on the schedule is longtime rival Godby. But Klees notes Rickards and North Florida Christian are on the schedule and potential rivals.

This year’s schedule also includes highly ranked R.F. Munroe, Mosley and Blountstown.