It’s time for War Eagle football!
‘Lots of kids, lots of talent’ this year, says Klees
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
There are a lot of War Eagles in the football program this year.
“It’s as big as it’s ever been,” says Head Coach Scott Klees. There are 85 kids playing – 46 on the varsity.
There’s 12 seniors on the team – but only two returning starters: Mason Blair, a senior offensive lineman, and Auvion Thomas, a junior wide receiver.
“We’re talented and have a lot of speed at the outside position,” Coach Klees says. “But we’re trying to catch up on physicality. The weight room was very important this summer.”
A lot of focus has been on player strength – and fundamentals and technique.
This year’s starting quarterback is a familiar one: Owen Klees, son of the coach, whose older brother Haden set passing records over his four-year career at Wakulla.
Owen, of course, stepped in a couple of years ago as quarterback when Haden broke his collarbone. Only 14 at the time, young Owen played the last three games of the season – North Florida Christian, the last district game, and then the first playoff game. A lot of pressure on the then-freshman.
Last year, Owen was backup quarterback – and got some playing time on defense playing safety.
This year’s War Eagle team has to get better every week, coach says.
“With a young team like this, can’t have setbacks. It’s going to be how fast these guys grow up is how far we go,” he says.
Asked which game he’s looking forward to this year, coach says: “Every game is important to me. That’s because I don’t remember the wins as much as I do the losses – it hurts so bad, and I just think of things I could have done differently.”
FIRST GAME: PORT ST. JOE
The Tiger Sharks of Port St. Joe will be the season-opener on Friday night.
“Huge. They are big,” Klees said. “Upfront, they’re gonna dwarf us. We’re gonna have to play tough, play low.”
The Tiger Sharks will want to run the ball and control the clock.
The War Eagles will be going fast and use their speed.
“We can’t have turnovers,” Klees said.
“I believe we’re also going to win the special teams battle in order to win.”
2024 War Eagle schedule
- Fri, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. vs. Port St. Joe at WHS.
- Fri, 8/30 at 7:30 p.m. against Taylor County in Perry.
- Fri, 9/6 at 7 p.m. at Chiles.
- Thu, 9/20 at 7 p.m. vs. FAMU DRS at WHS.
- Fri, 9/27 at 7 p.m. vs Suwannee at WHS.*
- Fri, 10/4 at 7 p.m. vs. St. John Paul II at WHS.
- Fri, 10/11 at 7 p.m. vs. Godby at WHS.*
- Fri, 10/18 at 7 p.m. vs. South Walton at WHS.
- Fri, 10/25 at 7 p.m. at Baker County. *
- Fri, 11/1 at 7 p.m. vs. Gadsden County at WHS.
- * – District Game
2024 War Eagle JV schedule
- Thursday, 8/22 at 6:30pm vs Madison County at WHS
- Thursday, 8/29 at 7:00pm vs Gadsden County at Gadsden County
- Thursday, 9/12 at 6:00pm vs Munroe at WHS
- Thursday, 9/19 at 6:30pm vs Taylor County at WHS
- Wednesday, 9/25 at 6:30pm vs Chiles at WHS
- Thursday, 10/3 at 6:30pm vs Florida State University HS at FSUHS
- Thursday, 10/17 at 6:00pm vs Arnold at Arnold
War Eagles hang tough against Madison Cowboys
Varsity was down 15-10 in first half; second string and JV play well in second half
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
There were mistakes from both teams, as is to be expected early in the season.
“I’m very pleased,” said Head Coach Scott Klees. “I’m pleased with just continuing to get better.”
Two plays early in the first quarter put the War Eagles behind – a 56-yard pass play for a touchdown by the Cowboys, and a sideline passed picked off and returned for a touchdown. (A trick two-point play after the second score made it 15-0.)
But the War Eagles showed fight, and an ability to move the ball on offense. They were also aided by blocking two Cowboy punts and forcing a turnover on another.
As drives stalled around the red zone, kicker Colby Carranza kicked a 30-yard field goal to put the War Eagles on the scoreboard to start the second quarter.
A second punt-block set up Wakulla at the 35, and a later unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Cowboys put the War Eagles with a first down at the 15.
But the drive stalled, and a 25-yard field goal by Carranza was just left of the upright.
In the next series, Coach Klees was trying to call a timeout on a formation that wasn’t set up right but didn’t get the stoppage – and the ensuing play resulted in a War Eagle touchdown. QB Owen Klees connected with wide-open tight end Christian Nicolas, who rumbled for a score.
It cut Madison’s lead to 15-10.
Another Madison punt problem – the snap sailed over the punter’s head and was recovered at the Cowboy 5, first and goal for Wakulla.
In that series, QB Klees rolled out looking for a receiver, coach yelled “Run it!” and Klees headed to the end zone, met by two Cowboys who delivered a lick and forced a fumble, recovered by Madison.
With only 25 seconds left in the half, Wakulla defensive pressure forced the ball loose from the Madison quarterback, caught by a War Eagle lineman to give Wakulla the ball at the 20.
Four incompletions later, the Cowboys took over on downs with 3.8 seconds left.
In the third quarter, second string gave up a touchdown and dropped a touchdown pass. The JV lost 6-0 in the fourth.
Klees said he saw improvement from the tough regimen the team has been subject to: a summer camp in Georgia, a recent referee’s training event gave the team the opportunity to scrimmage against Lincoln, Florida High, and Bay County, and then the Madison scrimmage.
“We have put them through the ringer,” Klees said. “They just continue to get better.”
Of the Madison scrimmage, Klees said, the team gave themselves a chance to win going in for a score when the fumble at the 2 happened.
And the War Eagle defense played well.
“We’re gonna be ready for week 1,” the coach said.
Coaches awards
War Eagle assistant coaches Grady Guess and Marcus Farland received awards from the Florida Athletic Coaches Association as Outstanding Assistant Coaches. Guess is defensive coordinator and has been with Head Coach Scott Klees for 20 years.
