War Eagle receiver Jeremiah Thomas is open on a long pass and takes it 65 yards for the score.

Wakulla took care of business in Havana on Friday night,beating the Gadsden County Jaguars 37-6.

Wakulla Head Coach Scott Klees said he knew Gadsden was big upfront on defense and so he decided to take that advantage away by throwing the ball. It certainly worked: Quarterback Haden Klees threw 27 times, completing 18 for 312 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran two times for 20 yards and a touchdown.

Among the receivers: Xavier Blake, who had 5 catches for 58 yards and a touchdown; Jeremiah Thomas with 5 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown; Samron Brinon had 2 catches for 77 yards and a touchdown; and Gabe Carter caught 4 passes for 69 yards.

On defense, the War Eagles only gave up one big run to Gadsden’s speedy back, Cedric Byrd, who broke a long one for a score in the first quarter and was otherwise kept pretty much under control.

The only drawback in the game for the War Eagles is that they couldn’t administer the knockout punch in the second half.

Coach Klees acknowledged that, saying his team “could have finished better. Another score and we’ve got a running clock.”

The only score in the second half was an impressive 42-yard field goal by Chase Linville.

War Eagle receiver Jeremiah Thomas catches a short pass and turns it up field.

GAME RECAP

Gadsden got the opening kickoff and picked up some first downs, but the Wakulla defense stopped them near midfield, forced a punt – the snap was bad, punt was blocked, War Eagles first down at Gadsden 21.

On 3rd and goal at the 5, Xavier Blake scores on a screen pass, Chase Linville adds the extra point - Wakulla up 7-0 early in the 1st quarter.

A mishandled kickoff puts Gadsden back at their 11. Next play, Jags RB Cedric Byrd takes it to the house. They go for 2, no good. It’s 7-6 Wakulla leads.

The next offensive series for Wakulla ended with a punt. Jaguars fumble, Wakulla recovers at their own 31 with seconds left in 1Q. One running play and the clock runs out. It’s 7-6 Wakulla leads Gadsden at the end of the quarter.

First play of 2Q, pass to War Eagle Jeremiah Thomas who takes it 65 yards for a touchdown. Extra point blocked by Jags. Wakulla up 13-6 over Gadsden. Gadsden punts, Wakulla starts at the Jaguar 40.

War Eagles drive the ball and have a 3rd and 1 at the 3, War Eagle Bradley Kelly with a hard run up the middle for a score. Extra point good. It’s 20-6. Mishandled snap by Gadsden recovered by Wakulla at the 15. Pass to Gabe Carter to the 5. 1st and goal.

QB Haden Klees fakes to Blake and takes it in himself. Extra point no good. It’s 26-6 Wakulla leads with 6:50 left in the half.

Big play: 4th and 2 and Gadsden going for it. Wakulla gets the stop and takes over on downs. 4:01 left in first half.

Bomb to a wide open Samron Brinson, QB Klees puts it right on him, it’s a 70-yard TD. Wakulla fakes the kick throws pass for 2. It’s 34-6 Wakulla leads Gadsden with 3:04 left in half.

That would be the score at halftime.

The third quarter was scoreless.

In the fourth, kicker Chase Linville had a 42-yard field goal to put the War Eagles up 37-6, and that was the final score.

NEXT UP: MUNROE

The Munroe Bobcats are undefeated and everybody has picked them to win, Klees said.

The Bobcats are extremely talented athletes, and include a receiver who has committed to Alabama, another receiver who is going to Oklahoma, and a tackle who is committed to FSU. “There are several other Division 1 athletes” on the team, Klees said.

“Their defense is really good; they have a running back who’s really good, and any of their receivers can score,” he said.

“We’re going to have to be physical,” Klees said. “I think the most physical team will win.”

An advantage for Wakulla: the War Eagles are playing at home and they are hard to beat at J.D. Jones Stadium.