War Eagles defeat Baker County, 34-18
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
The Wakulla War Eagles improved to 6-2 on the year with a 34-18 win over district rival Baker County on Friday night.
As the season starts winding down, it’s not clear what the implications are for the playoffs with the War Eagles.
Wakulla Head Coach Scott Klees said it’s not clear with this year’s rules.
Godby is the district champ by running the table against other three district teams. But the win over Baker gives Wakulla a 1-1 district record. The War Eagles will face Suwannee in the last game of the season on Nov. 9.
Klees noted that all four district teams are in the Top 8 teams ranked by classification.
“We’re just focused on game by game,” Klees said.
Of last week’s game against the Wildcats, Klees said he told his players and coaches that it was “Easily in my Top 5 wins of my time here.”
Both teams were evenly matched, both coming in with 5-2 records, and both played hard.
But it was the hard play and effort by the War Eagles that gave them the win.
“It was their best game of the year by far,” said Klees. He praised his special teams, offense and defense.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Kicker Colby Carranza was named Special Teams Player of the Week and came in with high praise by Coach Klees. It was Carranza’s 29-yard field goal in the 4th quarter with 1:33 left that put the game out of reach for Baker with a score of 27-18. (An interception returned for a touchdown by this week’s MVP Danny Godbolt in the final 10 seconds sealed the win.) Klees noted that an earlier field goal attempt by Carranza had been blocked, and the coach noted there was a lot of pressure on his kicker to make it. Carranza was perfect on his extra points and kickoffs, Klees noted.
As already mentioned, Danny Godbolt was named MVP Player of the Week. His 103 yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the win. On offense, he had three catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Offensive Player of the Week was quarterback Owen Klees, who completed 19 of 28 passing for 423 yards and two touchdowns. And he ran for another touchdown. On special teams, one of his punts was downed at the Baker 2.
Defensive Player of the Week was safety Andrew Nelson, who had 12 tackles, 2 sacks, “and a great game,” Klees said.
Klees praised his receivers and offensive linefor their play – praising lineman Mason Blair for being a leader.
Running back Sion Ransom had 22 carries for 130 yards.
Receiver Julliun Harvey had 4 catches for 152 yards and a TD.
Jayden Jean had 5 catches for 93 yards. And Jordan Barnes caught 4 passes for 78 yards.
COMING UP
The War Eagles host the Gadsden County Jaguars this week.
The Jaguars are 7-1 on the season and are ranked 10th in the state.
“They are very, very good,” Klees said. “They’re huge and very physical. They have no weak spots.”
The Jaguars have built a tough team through the new rules on high school NIL. They’ve recruited kids from throughout the area – including a few from Wakulla.
Klees shrugged that off.
“We’ll just keep being who we are – and do what I know is the right thing,” he said.
As for keys to victory Friday night, he said: “Stay true to who we are.”
“We have to play good defense,” he said, “and we’ve played really good defense the past two games. And we can’t turn the ball over.”
Coach’s Corner
Last week: Another good performance by the War Eagles. Played hard, put in the effort to get the win.
Scouting: The Gadsden Jaguars are very, very good. Huge, physical, and fast. No weak spots in their team.
Keys to victory: War Eagles will have to play their best. But stay true to who they are. Continue to play good defense as they have for the past two games. And they can’t turn the ball over.
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
