War Eagles beat Chiles, 21-17

Samron Brinson celebrates after catching a touchdown pass that put the War Eagles ahead over the Chiles Timberwolves. PHOTO BY WILLIAM SNOWDEN


Nehemiah Chandler tries to get to the outside after a catch. PHOTO BY KEN FIELDS


Jeremiah Thomas picks off a Chiles pass at the goal line. PHOTO BY KEN FIELDS


PHOTO BY KEN FIELDS

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Editor

“It was a great high school football game,” said Wakulla Head Coach Scott Klees of his War Eagles 21-17 win over the Chiles Timberwolves on Friday night.
“We didn’t play our absolute best,” he acknowledges. “But when you don’t play your best and still win, there’s a lot of room to go and get better as a football team.”
The War Eagles didn’t have a lot of success with their running game, for example. And Klees said his team has struggled with the center position – snaps have been a problem, especially in shotgun.
“It’s a good thing our quarterback plays shortstop on the baseball team,” Klees joked, noting that QB Haden Klees, coach’s son, was scooping up balls from all over.
One positive takeaway from the game was the confidence the War Eagles showed as a team when they were trailing late. “They didn’t flinch at all,” Klees said. “They went back to work and had a drive to take back the lead.”
Klees attributed the attitude to having a “senior-led team.”
 QB Klees went 16 of 22 passing for 218 yards and 3 touchdowns. As an example of the muted running game, Klees was the top rusher with 48 yards on 7 carries.
Receiver Samron Brinson had 7 catches for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns – including the game winner.
The defense was led by Devontae Roberts, who had 10 tackles, 3 assists and an interception that sealed the War Eagle win.
Jeremiah Thomas was also a big contributor: On defense he had 9 tackles and an interception; and on offense he had 3 receptions for 72 yards.
Kicker Luis Quintonilla was also praised by Coach Klees: “He made every extra point. And on kickoffs, he squibbed it – and when they started moving up, he kicked it deep.”

GAME RECAP

Chiles kicked off to Wakulla to start the game. And the War Eagles first drive was perfect: five plays, each for more than 10 yards, capped by a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Haden Klees to receiver Samrom Brinson. The drive took less than 2 minutes and Wakulla was up 7-0.
After exchanging punts, Chiles mounts a drive and gets inside the Wakulla 10. On a 3rd and goal inside the 5, Chiles QB sacked for a 3 yard loss. Timberwolves kick a field goal to cut the Wakulla lead to 7-3.
Another Wakulla punt, then a Chiles fumble is recovered by Wakulla. Pass to Jeremiah Thomas then Samron Brinson. Third and 10 at 20. Offsides on Chiles makes it 3rd and 5. Klees runs for it. 1st and goal at 6. Third and goal from half-yard out. Pass to Delvon Zanders in the back of the end zone. Extra point makes it Wakulla 14 Chiles 3 with 9:54 remaining in the second quarter.
Chiles threatens again, but War Eagle Jeremiah Thomas intercepts a pass at the goal line returns it to the 23. Wakulla tries a fake punt on 4th and 10 but it comes up 5 yards short of a first down. Chiles ball at Wakulla 45.
Chiles lines up for a 35-yard field goal - don’t think it was intended to be a fake, think the holder bobbled the hold and tries to run – he’s tackled for a loss with less than 2 minutes left in half.
Score at halftime: 14-3.
In the 3rd quarter, busted coverage by War Eagles on a pass play gets a Chiles touchdown, and the Wakulla lead is cut to 14-10.
After a Wakulla punt is returned to the War Eagle 25, and Chiles takes advantage of the short field, driving into the red zone and then scoring on a run from the 4. It’s the Timberwolves first lead of the night: 17-14.
To start the 4th quarter, Wakulla faces 4th and inches at Chiles 33, and Kless picks it up on a quarterback sneak. War Eagle drive finishes with pass from Klees to Samron Brinson in the back of the end zone. Wakulla back on top of Chiles 21-17.
The Timberwolves try to start a drive as time is running out – it ends when War Eagle Devontae Roberts intercepts a pass with 1:27 left that sealed a Wakulla victory.
War Eagles go into victory formation and run out the clock.
Final: Wakulla 21, Chiles 17.

UP NEXT: THE BALBOA BUCCANEERS FROM SAN FRANCISCO

The War Eagles travel to Kissimmee on Thursday to the Austin-Tindall Sports Complex to play Balboa High School from San Francisco.
State champs in California two years ago, the Balboa Buccaneers are big, says Coach Klees. The front line averages 6’3” and 300 pounds. “That’s average,” he says.
He anticipates the Buccaneers will try to use their size and come right at the War Eagles – and the War Eagles are going to have to use their speed.
But this is Balboa’s first game of the season so Wakulla’s coaches don’t have film on the Buccaneers.
“So it’s gonna be basic defense and offense until we can figure out” what they’re doing, Klees said.
Klees noted a few players got banged up against Chiles – “hopefully nothing too serious,” he says. And he’s anxious to get some players back who have been out, including lineman Kane Tucker.
Of the trip, Klees says he’s excited to get on the road and go to Central Florida. After the game, coaches and players plan to visit a water park on Friday and have some fun.

COACH'S CORNER

Wakulla Head Football Coach Scott Klees

FROM THE COACH

Scouting report: Balboa is big. Anticipate they’re going to use their size and come right at us.
Keys to victory: As always, no turnovers. Play physical. And spread it out to use team speed.
Last week: Great high school football game between Wakulla and Chiles to start the season. Showed up some shortcomings, like in running game, but also a lot of team confidence.