War Eagles beat NFC, 42-21

War Eagle Quarterback Haden Klees prepares to step out of bounds. His second half rushes were a difference in the game, including two touchdowns.


Radio broadcasters Tucker Pearce and Chris Savary calling the football game from the sidelines.


Haden Klees accepts the trophy after the win over NFC.

PHOTOS BY KEN FIELDS

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Editor

The Wakulla War Eagles battled a tough North Florida Christian team on Friday night and came away with a 42-21 victory to improve to 9-0.
Tied 14 all at halftime, Wakulla Head Coach Scott Klees made some adjustments at halftime  – including runs by quarterback Haden Klees – that opened up the War Eagle offense in the second half.
Klees said he was proud of his defense – NFC had three scoring plays including two scrambles by their quarterback JP Pickles that turned into long runs for touchdowns. “Good athleetes made big plays,” Klees said.
Coach Klees was frustrated with the first half: “My biggest takeaway: we  were not clicking on all cylinders and making silly mistakes.”
One devastating injury was to last week’s Player of the Week, receiver Del Zanders who went down with a leg injury and will likely be out in this week’s game against district rival Suwannee.

GAME RECAP

NFC won the toss and took the opening kickoff, but were forced to punt.
Quarterback Klees connected on a bomb to receiver Samron Brinson. Extra point good. Wakulla up 7-0.
In the second quarter, NFC has a short pass to back Leon Washington, who runs 60 yards for score. They go for 2 but it’s ruled an illegal forward pass. Wakulla 7, NFC 6.
NFC attempts an onside kick, recovered by War Eagles.
Wakulla on the move: first and goal at the NFC 2. On 3rd down, pass to Jeremiah Thomas for the score. Extra point puts Wakulla up 14-6 with 2:22 left in the first half.
NFC quarterback Pickles is pressured, scrambles, then takes off - runs for 70 yard TD. NFC converts the 2-point play to tie it at 14.
War Eagles receive the second half kickoff. Two rushes by Jeremiah Thomas, then Haden Klees breaks a long run to 9. A play later, Samron Brinson scores on a jet sweep. Extra point puts Wakulla up 21-14 over NFC.
A 75-yard run by the NFC QB for a touchdown and the extra point and game is tied at 21.
Wakulla’s Sion Ransom carries to the 10. 1st and goal. Third and goal from the 3, Klees runs for it, pushes across goal line.
Next drive: Klees scores again, this time from 3 yards out. Extra point makes it Wakulla 35, NFC 21.
NFC touchdown called back for illegal formation. Ball at 15, third and 10 with 7:20 left in the game. Fourth and 10 at Wakulla 15 for NFC and pass falls incomplete. Wakulla takes over on downs with under 7 minutes left.
On that series, Samron Brinson laid out and mades a diving catch at the NFC 30. Wakulla would turn the ball over on downs, but NFC couldn’t get a drive going.
On Wakulla’s next series, with less than 2 minutes left, a bomb from Klees to Nehemiah Chandler to put Wakulla up 42-21.   

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Overall Player of the Week was Haden Klees, who threw for 272 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed 16 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
Offensive Player of the Week was Samron Brinson, who had six receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensive Player of the Week was defensive back Nehemiah Chandler who played lockdown at corner. He had five tackles. On offense, he had six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Special Teams Player of the Week was kicker Luis Quintonilla, praised by Coach Klees for putting his kickoffs in tough spots for NFC, and going 6-for-6 on extra points.
Klees also priased running back Jeremiah Thomas for his 120 yards on 19 carries, plus receiving yards. Thomas also played defense the whole night as safety. “He didn’t come off the field the whole night,” Klees said. “That’s hard to do.”

NEXT UP: SUWANNEE BULLDOGS

The War Eagles have a big game to end the regular season against district rival Suwannee Bulldogs. A win and Wakulla is guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.
“Suwannee is the best team we’ve played to this point,” Klees said. “They’re big and good and physical.”
Their only loss this season has been to Madison.
“On offense, we have to be patient when we have the ball and take advantage,” Klees said.
 

COACH'S CORNER

Wakulla Head Football Coach Scott Klees

FROM THE COACH

Last week: Big win against a tough, athletic and well-coached North Florida Christian team.
Scouting report: Suwannee is the best team the War Eagles have faced: big, physical and athletic.
Keys to victory: The War Eagles will want to speed the game up, the Bulldogs will try to slow it down. Offense has to be patient and take advantage of opportunities.