Local Sports
War Eagle receiver Samron Brinson makes a diving touchdown pass against John Paul II on Friday night. PHOTOS BY KEN FIELDS
Dalton Avera gets a hand up to block the Panther extra point attempt.
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Editor
The Wakulla War Eagles improved to 6-1 with a 39-36 win over the John Paul II Panthers. “It was exciting and aggravating at the same time,” said Wakulla Head Coach Scott Klees. It shouldn’t have been that close – we dominated the game and were up 36-12 with 9 minutes left.”
Coach Klees said the team had a lack of focus that allowed the Panthers to get back into the game – and it was to be expected, perhaps, with the distractions of Homecoming at halftime.
Klees acknowledged his plan to drive down the field and run the clock down and get a field goal with a minute left to go up 39-28 and seal the game.
But the Panthers returned the kick 99 yards for a touchdown, and then added a 2-point conversion to get right back in it.
The onside kick was recovered by Wakulla and the War Eagles went into victory formation to run out the clock and win.
The War Eagle offense was b: running back Xavier Blake had more than 300 yards from scrimmage: 26 carries for 249 yards, plus 5 catches for 53 yards.
Running back Bradley Kelly ran 12 times for 89 yards and 2 TDs, plus scored on a 2-point play.
QB Haden Klees was 13 of 21 for 109 yards passing, plus he ran 5 times for 39 yards and a TD.
“I’ve been a coach for 21 years and during all that time, everybody’s trying to stop the run,” Klees said. Now teams are playing back to stop the pass and daring Wakulla to run.
GAME RECAP
The War Eagles took the opening kickoff but the drive stalled and they were forced to punt. John Paul II punted on their first possession.
On their second possession, the War Eagles scored on a drive capped by a 20-yard run by RB Bradley Kelly. Kicker Chase Linville added the extra point. War Eagles 7-0 I with 3:44 remaining in 1Q
Fumble recovered by Wakulla at the 33. On 4th and 8, Wakulla goes for it, pass intended for WR Samron Brinson, defender tries to jump the route, called for pass interference. War Eagle first down at 19. Couple of plays later, a diving catch by Brinson for TD. JPII offsides on extra point attempt, Coach Klees puts offense in to go for 2. Kelly takes it in. It’s 15-0 with 28.5 seconds left in 1Q.
Two drives later, War Eagles go for it on 4th down, don’t make it. JPII takes over and moves the ball down the field pretty well. 1st down at Wakulla 12 with 29 seconds left and they connect on a pass over the middle at the goal line for TD. Wakulla offside on PAT, so the Panthers put the offense in to go for 2. It’s no good. Wakulla up 15-6 at halftime.
On opening drive of second half, John Paul scores a touchdown on a pass to TE Jukil Whitehead and Wakulla defenders cannot bring him down. Extra point blocked by War Eagles. Wakulla lead cut to 15-12.
Jeremiah Thomas rushing TD from 10 yards out. Extra point makes it 22-12 with 7:09 left in the 3Q.
Next drive, 4th down and 12 at 32 and War Eagles come up short. JPII takes over on offense and a pass intercepted by Jeremiah Thomas is returned to the 14. Back on offense, Kelly takes it in from there - extra point is good and Linville kicks it over the field house into the parking lot. It’s 29-12 Wakulla leads.
Wakulla’s next drive, Brinson running down the sideline with the defender pulling on his shirt and he still makes the catch but out of bounds. Pass interference called. QB Haden Klees rushing TD from 12. Extra point good. Wakulla up 36-12 with 9:45 left in the game
JPII receiver gets behind defense and is tackled at 2. Two plays later pass to Whitehead in the corner of the endzone, outjumps defender for the ball. The Panthers go for 2 and it’s good. Wakulla lead is cut to 36-20.
Wakulla punts. John Paul drives down the field for a score and a 2-point conversion to pull within a possession - it’s 36-28 Wakulla leads with 5:43 left.
Wakulla’s next drive, they face a 4th and goal at 6. Coach lets clock run down and takes delay penalty. Sends in kicking team. JPII jumps. Linville kick is good, makes it 39-28. The Wakulla kickoff is returned by the Panthers’ Jaden Walden for 99 yards for touchdown. 2-point play is good. Score is 39-36 with 1:08 left.
Onside kick is recovered by Wakulla’s backup quarterback Owen Klees and Wakulla goes into victory formation.
Final: Wakulla 39, John Paul II 36.
NEXT UP: TAYLOR COUNTY
“This is a must-win for us,” said Coach Klees of this week’s game against the 3-3 Taylor County Bulldogs. It’s a district game, like Suwannee County in the lasts regular season game. Win those two games and the War Eagles are certain of a playoff berth.
It’s a must-win for Taylor too, since they played Suwannee and lost.
Friday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Wakulla War Eagles travel to Perry to take on the Taylor County Bulldogs. It’s a district game.