War Eagles fall to Gadsden, 49-6
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
It was a game both teams had circled on the calendar: Wakulla players because a number of their teammates from last year had transferred to play for the Gadsden County Jaguars; and for the Jags, the War Eagles had embarrassed them in the playoffs last year, sending them home with a 46-14 loss.
It was the Jaguars night, though. From the opening kickoff when Devonta Roberts (formerly of Wakulla) returned it for a touchdown, the War Eagles never got on top.
The War Eagles were beat at home 49-6 and fell to 6-3 on the year.
Of all the student transfer hoopla, Wakulla Head Coach Scott Klees shrugged it off. “It is what it is,” he said.
Of the game, he said: “We just got beat.They beat us good.”
He shrugged that off too, saying he’s not talking about the loss with his team – there’s no lesson to learn. They got beat. Move on.
Season’s not over, of course: one more regular season game – a makeup against the Suwannee Bulldogs for a game that was postponed in September due to hurricane.
And the game has playoff implications. If the War Eagles win, they’re in.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
MVP was receiver Julliun Harvey who scored Wakulla’s lone touchdown.
Punter Owen Klees was named Special Teams Player of the Week. For Coach Klees, it was one of the few areas where the team executed.
Offensive Player of the Week was lineman Sam Wright, who Klees said had a good game.
Defensive Player of the Week defensive lineman Antonio Harvey.
COMING UP
Klees notes this is the third time his team has prepared for Suwannee: the week the game was canceled; a couple of weeks ago when a makeup was scheduled for a Tuesday night, which was postponed again after the FHSAA added a week to the regular season schedule for hurricane postponements – and the third time is this week.
Suwannee comes in with a record of 4-5 and ranked a spot above Wakulla.
“They started off 1-5, so they’re rolling right now,” Klees said.
The Bulldogs have a receiver/running back who Klees called “a special, special player” – No. 5 Michael Rossin. “We’ve got to stop him.”
The War Eagles have to be able to run the ball, Klees said, control the clock and not turn the ball over.
On defense, the War Eagles need to stop the run.
One key in the game, Klees said, is to “Stay patient in what we do. We can’t get overwhelmed.”
At the same time, he said, “With a young team like we are, you can’t get too excited, can’t get too low.”
The team needs to keep their balance, their poise, and play War Eagle football, Klees said.
Coach’s Corner
Last week: The War Eagles got beat by Gadsden. Sometimes there’s a lesson in it, sometimes you just get beat.
Scouting: The Suwannee Bulldogs have a special player in No. 5, and the War Eagles will have to shut him down.
Keys to victory: War Eagles need to be able to run the ball, control the clock and have no turnovers. The defense needs to stop the run. And the team needs to be patient.
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
