War Eagles get past JP II, 21-14
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
The Wakulla War Eagles lost to district rival Godby Cougars on Friday night, 27-7.
“We had our chances,” said head coach Scott Klees. “It just wasn’t our night.”
There were plenty of mistakes: dropped passes, broken tackles. “We didn’t have any breaks,” Klees said. “The ball didn’t bounce our way at all.”
Wakulla’s first drive of the game was methodical, going down the field, eating up almost 6 minutes of clock, and a 15-yard touchdown run by quarterback Owen Klees was called back for a block in the back penalty. The drive would stall and the War Eagles came away with no points.
To Coach Klees, what could have been with that first drive – the difference in momentum if the score had stood.
Instead, Godby would score two touchdowns in the second quarter – basically bubble screens with missed tackles.
Klees acknowledged his young team made mistakes, but stressed how proud he was of how hard they played.
“They never gave up,” he said. “They fought to the end and left it all on the field.”
The War Eagles are now 4-2 on the season and down 0-1 in the district with the Godby loss.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Jordan Barnes was named MVP Player of the Week. On offense, he had 2 catches for 95 yards and the War Eagles only touchdown. He also rushed 4 times for 50 yards. On defense, he had 2 tackles.
Offensive Player of the Week was receiver Julliun Harvey, who had 4 catches for 44 yards.
Defensive Player of the Week was lineman Marlon Gardner, who had 10 tackles including 2 tackles for loss.
Special Teams Player of the Week was punter Owen Klees, who average 41 yards for his four punts.
SUWANNEE GAME POSTPONED AGAIN
Wakulla had been set to host a makeup game against the Suwannee Bulldogs on Tuesday, but the FHSAA met on Monday and added a week to the regular season because of the impacts of hurricanes.
Suwannee was supposed to play Wakulla back in September but the game was postponed due to Hurricane Helene.
The War Eagles had faced the daunting task of playing three games in seven days: Godby, Suwannee and then South Walton on Friday for Homecoming.
“We’re OK with it being moved,” Klees said with a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile it’s put him and his staff a day behind as they had used the weekend to prepare for Suwannee and now have to focus on South Walton.
He was still looking at film on Monday, but said his impression was they throw the ball alot. They have a skillful quarterback and a sound defense that runs to the ball.
“It’s gonna be a barn burner of a game,” Klees said. “Should be a lot of fun to watch – and it should come down to the very end.”
For his War Eagles to win, they need to stop turnovers, eliminate mistakes, and tackle in space.
GAME RECAP
Wakulla took the opening kickoff and burned half the first quarter on a long sustained drive that had a touchdown called back for a block in the back. Godby used up the rest of the first quarter on a drive that stalled at midfield.
In the second quarter, Godby scored on a screen pass with some broken tackles and a race to the end zone. The next drive, the Cougars scored on a pass to the corner of the end zone. It was 14-0 at half.
Godby took the kickoff to start the second half, another 6-plus minute drive that added a field goal to go up 17-0. And added another field goal in the 4th to go up 20-0.
Wakulla scored on a pass from Klees to Jordan Barnes. An onside kick didn’t work. A few plays later, another Godby screen pass with broken tackles for a score.
Final: Godby 27, Wakulla 7.
Coach’s Corner
Last week: Things weren’t in sync with Wakulla against John Paul II and the team didn’t execute well, but getting a road win is good.
Scouting: Godby is explosive on offense with 5 or 6 big plays in every game against opponents, and a good solid defense.
Keys to victory; Offense has to move the chains and no turnovers.For defense, don’t allow big plays. And win the Special Teams battle.
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
