War Eagle receiver Samron Brinson makes a touchdown catch in the back of the end zone over a defender.

All week in practice, Wakulla Head Coach Scott Klees used how media had picked the Munroe Bobcats to beat his team.

Munroe was vaunted for its athletes who have signed with Division 1 powerhouses like Alabama, Oklahoma, and FSU.

The game was moved up to Thursday because of bad weather expected Friday night, and Munroe looked stunned as they were beaten 43-13 by the underdog War Eagles.

In the first half, the War Eagle offensive starting clicking and took what the Bobcat defense would give them. Load the box? Wakulla passed. Drop into coverage? the War Eagles ran.

“I’m really proud of our kids,” Klees said. “They were ready, they were ready for that game.”

Quarterback Haden Klees was 17 for 26 and 262 passing yards and four touchdowns, plus 6 carries for 49 yards. As the junior has developed, he is making big plays and often, unexpectedly, making plays with his legs.

Running back Xavier Blake had 17 carries for 120 yards and a TD. Bradley Kelly had 14 carries for 97 yards.

Receiver Jeremiah Thomas had 7 catches for 127 yards and 2 TDs, plus an interception and four tackles on defense. Gabe Carter had 4 catches for 76 yards. And Samron Brinson caught a touchdown pass.

On defense, Amonta Harris had 4 tackles and a fumble recovery. Todd Williams had 6 tackles and 2 sacks. And Tannier Lanier had 7 tackles and 3 sacks. The biggest night may have belonged to kicker Chase Linville, who kicked two field goals, including a school-record 47-yarder.

GAME RECAP

Both offenses started slow, and were forced to punt. On Wakulla’s second offensive series, the War Eagles score on a 30-yard pass from QB Haden Klees to WR Jeremiah Thomas. Extra point is good. Wakulla up 7-0 over Munroe with 5:44 left in 1Q.

Munroe pass intercepted by Jeremiah Thomas - War Eagle ball at midfield. War Eagles go for it on 4th and 6, Gabe Carter makes a diving catch for 1st down. Next play, Haden Klees scrambles for 8. Wakulla inside the 25. After RB Xavier Blake runs it to the 12, on the next run, Blake breaks tackles and carries defenders into the end zone. Extra point makes it Wakulla 14, Munroe 0 with 2:06 left in 1Q.

Two sacks in a row by DE Todd Williams puts Munroe in punt from 5, it’s blocked and recovered in the end zone for a safety. 1Q ends with Wakulla up 16-0 over Munroe.

On Wakulla’s next series, 4th and 2 at 6, pass interference, Wakulla at 4. Next play, big Todd Williams catches TD pass in the back of the end zone. Extra point good, it’s 23-0 Wakulla leads Munroe. A taunting penalty was called on Williams after the score enforced on the kickoff, and it’s a short kick that Munroe runs upfield, ball stripped recovered by Wakulla. 1st down at their own 10.

That series ends with a punt from the end zone, bad snap flies over Chase Linville’s head, he grabs it in end zone but tries to kick it instead of falling on it for a safety. Munroe blocks it, recovers for TD. Extra point good. Wakulla 23, Munroe 7

Wakulla next series: Bomb to Gabe Carter sets up Wakulla at the 12. Jeremiah Thomas in the back of the end zone, his second TD catch of the half. Linville adds extra point. It’s Wakulla 30, Munroe 7 at the half.

In the third quarter, Wakulla 1st and goal at 4 after run by Klees. Two previous first downs on Munroe defender offside penalties. Samron Brinson is n the back of the end zone for TD catch. Extra point good. Wakulla up 37-7 over Munroe.

The Bobcats put together a strong drive behind RB Ostin Perkins. Down to 1 yard line, hit in backfield by a War Eagle defender spins out of it and gets to the end zone. Bobcats go for 2, but no good. It’s Wakulla 37, Munroe 13. The next two scores were field goals: a 35-yarder with just under 10 minutes in the 4th, and a school-record 47-yard field goal with 2:40 left.

Final: Wakulla 43, Munroe 13.

NEXT UP:

BLOUNTSTOWN

Wakulla’s next opponent, the Blountstown Tigers, are also 3-0. They are, says Klees, identical to the War Eagles: a tough, hit-you-in-mouth-for-four-quarters kind of team.

And they play good defense.

The Tigers offense is primarily run, so Klees doesn’t expect a lot of offensive possessions – and his team will have to take advantage of its opportunities.

“Turnovers will be huge in this game,” he says.

This weeks game: Friday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Wakulla War Eagles travel to Blountstown to play the Blountstown Tigers.