WHS Football
War Eagles fall in playoff game
War Eagle Jeremiah Thomas outruns Penscola Catholic defenders on a 50-yard run to the end zone for a touchdown. PHOTO BY WILLIAM SNOWDEN
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Editor
The Wakulla War Eagles lost to the Catholic High School Crusaders in Pensacola in the first round of the playoffs on Friday night, 45-21, ending their season. It was the third straight loss for Wakulla, and they finished with a 7-4 record. Head Coach Scott Klees said he was proud of his team and how hard they fought this season.
But it was sad thinking of what could have been a few weeks ago when Wakulla was 7-1 and ranked No. 2 in the state, which was before junior quarterback Haden Klees was injured a dislocated collarbone.
Klees did appear in a limited role Friday night – he came in in the second quarter to attempt a fade pass to receiver Samron Brinson that fell incomplete. And when his younger brother, freshman Owen Klees, limped off the field after a sack in the third quarter, Klees came in and made a terrific 32-yard throw to Brinson, who climbed the ladder to grab it over a taller defender, and came down with a touchdown.
But Klees was obviously told not to take any chances – he threw the ball away when pressured and never tried to scramble or run. Prior to his injury, he was an effective runner, getting what he could and then sliding. The War Eagles’ highlight reel for the game would also include Xavier Blake’s run for a touchdown, and Jeremiah Thomas busting a 50-yard run for a touchdown. “We just couldn’t finish, we couldn’t get over the hump,” Coach Klees said of the end of the season.
But the coach noted the team is young with only a handful of seniors, so they’ll be even better next year.
Some year-end stats for the team (not including the playoff game):
• QB Haden Klees completed 117 of 187 passes for 1,948 yards, a 62% completion rate, with 21 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
• Running back Xavier Blake, one of the few seniors on the team, had 163 carries for 1,228 yards and nine touchdowns.
• Receiver Samron Brinson caught a touchdown in every game, which Coach Klees noted was the first time in his 21 years of coaching he’s ever had that happen. Brinson ended the year with 37 receptions for 750 yards and 14 touchdowns.
• Receiver Jeremiah Thomas wasn’t far behind with 33 receptions for 740 yards and six touchdowns. And on defense he led the team in interceptions with five.
• Defensive end Todd Walker, a senior, had 13 sacks this year and, as has been noted before, has committed to Tulane.
• Tanner Lanier, leader of the defense, had 100 tackles this year.
Also singled out for their work in the trenches were:
• Offensive lineman Deondre Strong, a senior, who Coach Klees said “played well this year.”
• And defensive lineman Cody Walker, also a senior, who Coach Klees said “had an unbelievable year.”
Coach Klees also praised his assistant coaches for their efforts. “They really worked hard and got after it,” he said of his coaching staff.