War Eagles wallop Indians, 52-7

War Eagle receiver Delvon Zanders puts the ball across the goal line to score. PHOTOS BY KEN FIELDS

By CHRIS SAVARY Sports Correspondent

The Wakulla War Eagles played their second home game of the season this past Friday at Reynolds field. The War Eagles (3-0) faced the Seminole County Indians (1-2) in a Florida vs Georgia high school matchup.
The War Eagles came into the game with a perfect record through the first three games and ranked fifth in Florida Class 2S football. There were widespread showers falling before kickoff that threatened to make this a wet and potentially sloppy football game but the rain let up about 15 minutes before kickoff and with the turf draining nicely, the Wakulla faithful were treated to another outstanding effort by the young men on the War Eagle squad.
Wakulla came into the game having put up huge numbers both offensively and defensively winning the first three games by a combined score of 110 to 24. Many wondered if this Seminole County team out of Georgia would be the team that along with the wet weather came into Reynolds Field and dampen the fire created by this supercharged War Eagle offense and stingy defense. It would not take long to get that answer…. they would not.
The scoring came fast and furious early in this game. In the first quarter after a quick drive senior quarterback Haden Klees found receiver Delvon Zanders in the endzone for a 3-yard touchdown. Then two minutes later after getting the ball back on offense junior running back Bradley Kelly got the ground game going for the War Eagles scoring on a 29-yard rushing touchdown pushing the lead to 14-0 very early in the first quarter. The defense continued to be dominant getting the ball back to the offense just a few minutes later.
QB Klees then found senior receiver Nehemiah Chandler connecting for a 51-yard touchdown to move the score to 21-0 War Eagles midway through the first quarter. The War Eagle offense tacked on two more touchdowns in the first, a 47-yard touchdown reception from Klees to Zanders and a 32-yard touchdown reception by Samron Brinson that made the score 35-0 War Eagles at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter started with the War Eagle defense absolutely refusing to give up anything to the visiting Indians of Seminole County.
The offense rewarded the defensive effort by scoring quickly on a 2-yard touchdown rush by Zanders making the score 42-0 early in the second quarter.
Seminole County then found their way into the endzone on a 11-yard touchdown rush in what would be the only score allowed by the War Eagle defense in this game.
Late in the second quarter Klees again found one of his favorite targets – Samron Brinson – and fired a missile to him for a 45-yard touchdown making the score 49-7 War Eagles with a little over two minutes to go before the half.
The final score of the game came on an outstanding 40-yard field goal from senior kicker Luis Quintonilla to push the score 52-7 as time expired in the first half.
For the third contest in a row the War Eagles found themselves in a running clock situation to start the second half. A running clock is established in Florida high school football when a team goes up by 35 points or more and the clock only stops for time outs or injuries.
The second half went by very quickly with the War Eagles again getting very important game reps for the younger players on the roster. The game would end with the War Eagles posting a dominant 52-7 victory and unblemished 4-0 record.
Defensively the War Eagles stayed dominant allowing only one touchdown and creating two turnovers: Jeremiah Thomas forced a fumble that was recovered by Brandon Burton; and Nehemiah Chandler snagged an interception all in the first half.
Offensively the aerial fireworks continued with Klees finishing the contest throwing for 317 yards on 14 completions for 5 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Klees is now the No. 2 ranked quarterback in the state and has now thrown for 1,185 yards, 18 touchdowns and no interceptions through four games on this young year. (And Klees has only played the first half in the past three games because the War Eagles have been so far ahead.)
Zanders had 5 catches for 76 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Brinson had 4 catches for 102 yards and 2  TDs.
Nehemiah Chandler had 4 catches for 133 yards and a TD.
War Eagle head coach Scott Klees said his team had come out on fire and had played well in all three aspects of the game – offense, defense and special teams.
“Defense is playing at a high level,” Klees said. “They’re flying around making plays, forcing turnovers and three-and-outs.”
The offensive production is because of the defense giving them more possessions, Klees said.

NEXT UP: MOSLEY

The War Eagles now go back on the road for a tough short week matchup against a very good Mosley Dolphins (3-1) football team Thursday night in Panama City.
“They will test us,” Klees said.
He noted Mosley’s one loss came last week – unfortunate, Klees said, because he anticipates the Dolphins will be focused.
Also, as a Thursday night game, the War Eagles will be missing a practice. And there’s the potential distraction for the War Eagles of leaving early to travel.
“We need to be focused,” Klees said. “ We make little mistakes. Can’t make penalties or turn the ball over. We have to play well on offense, defense and special teams.”
Wakulla will be looking to avenge last year’s home loss to Mosley. Gametime will be 8 p.m. EDT at Tommy Oliver Stadium with live pregame and play by play coverage starting at 7:15 p.m. on 94.1 FM.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

The overall player of the week was running back Bradley Kelly, who got the War Eagle running game going with 5 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Dalton Avera was the offensive player of the week with the lineman grading out at 88%.
Linebacker Tanner Lanier was defensive player of the week with 8 tackles and a forced fumble.
Kicker Luis Quintonilla was special teams player after kicking 7 of 7 extra points and a 40-yard field goal.

COACH'S CORNER

Wakulla Head Football Coach Scott Klees

FROM THE COACH

Scouting report: Mosley will be ready, and they are really good. Before their loss last week, the Dolphins were ranked higher than the War Eagles.
Keys to victory: Stay focused. No mistakes, no penalties, no turnovers.
Last week: War Eagles came out fired up and excelled at all three levels – offense, defense, special teams.