By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla War Eagles suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Pace Patriots 37-29 in a hard-fought battle. The War Eagles are now 3-1 on the year.
Head Coach Derek Allen Jr. said he was obviously disappointed in the result.

See our Football page for Coaces Corner and Players of the Week.

“We played a very good 5A team in that environment” – which he compared to the homefield environment of Taylor County, only more so. “We had three turnovers, which is a recipe for disaster. The defense couldn’t tackle, couldn’t get guys on the ground.”
Still, coach added, “It’s all fixable stuff.”
Ryheem Moore was back from a one-game suspension after his two unsportsmanlike penalties against Taylor County, and he had a big impact with two touchdowns and a blocked punt.
Quarterback Ashton Brooks went 9 for 15 passing for 126 yards and two touchdowns, but threw two interceptions.
Jaylen Jones played wildcat QB and carried the ball 10 times for 41 yards and a touchdown, but had one fumble. He got it back on the other side of the ball, though, causing two fumbles. He also had 7 tackles.
The team had a total of 156 rushing yards,
Linebacker Rayshon St. Hilaire had a scoop-and-score fumble receovery and lead the team with 9 tackles.
Armon Lindsey had an interception. And kicker Colby Carranza went 3 for 4 on extra points.

GAME RECAP

Wakulla took the opening drive and settled into a run-heavy drive that burned 5 minutes off the clock but ended with an interception by Pace around their 20. The Patriots took advantage of the turnover, a pass and run to the Wakulla 20, then an outside run for the score. Extra point puts Pace up 7-0.
Wakulla takes kickoff out to the 20. On 3rd and 1, fumble recovered by Pace at the Wakulla 20. Unsportsmanlike penalty moves the ball half the distance. Couple of plays later, a quarterback run, fumble, ball rolls into the end zone and recovered by a Pace lineman for the score. It’s 14-0.
To start the second quarter, Ryheem Moore makes a great play on a pass from QB Ashton Brooks for touchdown. Wakulla cuts the lead to 14-7.
But Pace strikes back on their next drive with an 85-yard touchdown pass. Extra point missed. Pace leads 20-7.
On the next series, Wakulla drives to the Pace 25. Jaylen Jones in as QB and runs to the 14, then the 3, then the end zone. It’s 20-14.
Pace running back makes a big run from midfield and scores. It’s 27-14.
Wakulla takes over at their 15. Long pass to Demarkus Roberts at 45, then a long run by Bryce Manning to the 10. With 8.3 seconds until halftime, 4th and goal at 3, pass to Moore for his second touchdown of the night. Extra point missed. At halftime, Pace 27-Wakulla 20.
On Pace’s drive to start the second half, Armon Lindsey picked off a pass in the end zone and took it out to the 25. Wakulla’s offense would stall, and when the War Eagles went to punt, the ball sailed out of the end zone for a safety. Pace up 29-20.
Pace then scored on a 3-yard run for a touchdown. Wakulla was called for encroachment on the extra point attempt. With ball at the 2, Pace went for 2 and made it. Pace lead extended to 37-20.
In the fourth quarter, Moore blocked a Pace punt and Jones scrambled to recover it for a touchdown, but it got away from him and rolled through the end zone for a safety. Wakulla trailing 37-22.
On Pace’s next series, Jones caused a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Rayshon St. Hilaire who scooped it up and scored. Wakulla trailing now 37-29.
Kickoff out of bounds gave Pace the ball near midfield. A few plays later, Pace has a 4th down and 12 at the Wakulla 16 with 1 minute in the game. Line up for a field goal – it’s wide right.
Game ends with Wakulla with the ball trying to make passes to sideline but run out of time. Final: Pace 37, Wakulla 29.

UP NEXT:
RICKARDS RAIDERS

After a long three weeks of road games, the War Eagles return home this week to play the Rickards Raiders at J.D. Jones Stadium.
The War Eagles played Rickards in the spring exhibition game, along with Chiles.
Rickards is super athletic, Coach Allen said. “They throw the ball around a lot.” Their quarterback can scramble and make plays with his feet. “I don’t know that he’s been sacked” this season, he said.
“We’re bigger than them, but they’re just as athletic,” Allen said.
For Wakulla, the key is win the turnover battle – and not turn the ball over.
“We have to be more physical,” he said. “We have to play our game.”
“We look forward to being back at home and seeing all the familiar faces in the crowd,” Coach Allen said.

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, the Wakulla Lady War Eagles volleyball team defeated Lincoln 3 games to 0, 25-14, 25-16, 25-17.

– Perry Dissmore

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla War Eagles improved to 3-0 on the season with a 26-7 win over the Chiles Timberwolves on Friday night.
Head Coach Derek Allen Jr. said the game was notable in that his team cleaned up some of the penalties that had dogged them in their first two games.

And while the War Eagles are still a run-first offense, they went to the air more – a couple of long bombs were attempted, but some were overthrown or just off the fingertips of receivers.
“We threw the ball more – about 20 times – but didn’t complete as many,” Coach Allen said.
“We beat a good Chiles team,” he said. “Last year was the first time Chiles beat Wakulla, and we’re glad to put that to an end.”
Quarterback Ashton Brooks went 6 for 17 passing for 67 yards and a touchdown, according to MaxPreps. Coach Allen said he thought that stat was wrong, that Brooks had more attempts and more yardage.
Running back Nigel Cloud carried the ball 11 times for 44 yards.
And Player of the Week Demarkus Roberts had one catch on offense for 36 yards. On defense, he had two picks,

GAME RECAP

After a back-and-forth battle in the first quarter, Chiles scored first after returning a Wakulla kick to the 35. The drive culminated with a pass over the middle in the end zone. Extra point makes it Chiles 7, Wakulla 0 with 2:09 in the 1Q.
In the second quarter, a Wakulla punt was muffed by the Timberwolves and recovered by Wakulla at the 12. Two runs by Nigel Cloud gave Wakulla a first and goal at the 1. A quarterback sneak was stopped by Chiles inches from the goal. Second attempt Brooks was pushed in. Extra point by Colby Carranza was good. Tied at 7 with 7:42 in 2Q.
On the next series, Chiles QB under pressure throws the ball and it’s picked off by Demarkus Roberts. Jaylen Jones comes in as wildcat QB and rushes for a score. Extra point puts Wakulla up 14-7 with 6:24 in 2Q.
Chiles drive stalls, and they line up for a long field goal – it’s a fake and the ball is intercepted by Rayshon St. Hilaire who takes it back 60 yards for a score. PAT no good. Wakulla 20-7 at halftime.
No scoring in the third quarter.
In the 4th, Brooks connected to Demarkus Roberts on a 40-yard pass play. Couple of plays later, Brooks hits receiver Jarrell Randolph in the end zone for a score. Extra point blocked. Wakulla 26-7 with 5:31 left.
Later, Demarkus Roberts has a long punt return to inside the 10, but it’s called back on a sideline infraction.
Wakulla runs the clock down to 2 minutes and punts. Roberts seals the win with his second interception of the night and the War Eagles go into victory formation.

UP NEXT:
PACE PATRIOTS

The War Eagles round out a three game road series traveling to Pace this Friday night. The Patriots are 1-2 and have a running back who is a three or four star commit to South Alabama.
Coach Allen says Pace is physical like Wakulla.
To win, Allen says Wakulla needs to take care of the football, connect on passes and stop the Patriots’ rushing attack.

Players of the week

MVP

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla War Eagles got their second victory of the season, a hard-fought 25-19 win over a tough Taylor County Bulldog team.
Head Coach Derek Allen Jr. said it was a “sloppy” game – lots of mistakes and penalties. “Difficult playing in that environment” of Perry. But he was pleased that War Eagle fans packed the stands as well, and credited the fans with helping get the win.
Some of the sloppiness included four unsportsmanlike penalties on Wakulla – with two of those going against Ryheem Moore, receiver and safety, which led to him being ejected.
The first call was after a receiving touchdown. Coach Allen said players get 5 seconds to celebrate and Moore exceeded that limit, according to referees.

The second foul came after referees met with both coaches and warned there was lots of unsportsmanlike conduct. Right after that, Moore made a tackle on the scrambling Bulldog quarterback and appeared to flex as he stood up, drawing a flag and ejection.
The game was notable as well in seeing Coach Allen’s rushing attack with multiple running backs. Quarterback Ashton Brooks shared time with Jaylen Jones, who played quarterback for Coach Allen last season in Blountstown, and RB Danny Godbolt came in and ran a wildcat play.
With the game on the line in the 4th quarter, the War Eagles up by 6 points, they took over with about 4 minutes left.
“I told the boys we only need one or two first downs to run out the clock,” Coach Allen said.
And that’s what they did.
The team combined rushing totaled 281 yards. Offensive player of the week was RB Nigel Cloud who gained 90 yards on 17 carries, including a touchdown.
QB Brooks was named MVP of the week, going 10 of 13 passing for 158 yards and a TD.
Defensive player was linebacker Cedric Hicks who had 3 tackles and a forced fumble.
A special teams player was Jaylen Jones with a blocked PAT and a tackle. (He also scored an offensive touchdown.)

GAME RECAP

Wakulla took the opening kickoff and the first drive stalled behind numerous penalties. On the punt, the ball sailed over the punter’s head and was a scoop and score by the Bulldogs. Extra point was blocked. Taylor up 6-0.
Taylor tried an onside kick, but Wakulla recovered it at midfield. The War Eagle drive was feeding running back Nigel Cloud, who completed the drive with a touchdown run, dragging defenders into the end zone with him. War Eagles go for 2 point conversion but come up short. Tied at 6.
Bulldogs couldn’t move the ball and punted. Wakulla takes the punt at the 45 and drive down and score on a 10-yard TD pass to Rhyeem Moore. He’s called for unsportsmanlike on celebration. Extra point missed. Wakulla 12-6.
Bulldog next drive: long pass to inside the 20. Couple of plays later it’s first and goal at the 4. Halfback pass for a score. PAT good. Taylor up 13-12.
On Wakulla’s next drive, they get a 27-yard field goal by kicker Colby Carrranza to take a 15-13 lead.
Bulldog fumble on their next drive, but Wakulla can’t move the ball. Punt from deep in their own territory goes off the side of the punter’s foot, downed at 25. Bulldogs take advantage of the short field and score on a touchdown pass. Extra point no good. Taylor up 19-15 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Jaylen Jones as QB scores on a rushing touchdown. Extra point makes it 22-19.
In the 4th quarter, Carranza added a 30-yard field goal to make it Wakulla 25-19 with 6 minutes remaining.
Bulldogs forced to punt on their next possesion and Wakulla ran the ball to run out the clock. Final: Wakulla 25, Taylor 19.
While it was sloppy, Allen said “It’s always good to find a win.”
War Eagles are 2-0 on the young season.

UP NEXT: CHILES
TIMBERWOLVES

Wakulla travels to Tallahassee this Friday night to play the Chiles Timberwolves.
Coach Allen noted Chiles is 1-1. He noted they won their first game by 50 points and then were locked in a 14-14 tie with Florida High last week before falling in the second half 24-14.
“They’re no pushover,” Allen said, addding that his War Eagles would have to play more fundamental football.
“We’ve got to play more disciplined,” he said.

By WALT JACOBS
Correspondent

The title “Kendal Haynie, 2026 State Champion” has a nice ring to it and now her copious collection of awards does too.

On Aug. 21st, at J.D. Jones Stadium, Wakulla High honored a legend in the making as Principal Michele Falk, joined by coaches Jon Sanchez and Tommy Haynie, presented Haynie with a ring commemorating her 2026 FHSAA girls state wrestling championship.
Last season, Haynie compiled a 24-0 record while only surrendering one takedown. Haynie simply dominated her competition via 20 pins and 4 technical falls while becoming the first girl to win a state title in any sport at Wakulla High.
Currently, Haynie is ranked No. 1 in the state, and 12th in the nation by FloWrestling.

With the cancellation of last week’s preseason game, we didn’t have a photo of this Color Guard for the Football section.

Here they are: Top row: Autumn Bodziak, Emma Carnivale, Lyla Sealy, Chase Hall, Kinley Ledington, Shannon Miller, and Makenzy Coring.
Bottom row: Kinslee Benton, Autumn Mckenzie, Emilee Mason, Violet Sexton, Annaleyse Roland, Paisley Allen, and Olivia Drapeau.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla War Eagles and their new head coach got their first victory of the season, a 27-7 win over the Gadsden Jaguars in a weather-shortened game.
There were two lightning delays. The first delay came in the third quarter, and the game went on until the second lightning alarm, which sounded with 9:18 left in the fourth quarter.
The game was eventually called.

Head Coach Derek Allen Jr. was somewhat disappointed with his team’s performance.
“We didn’t play our best football, but still able to get the job done,” he said.
He attributed the off-play to lack of a preseason game – last week’s exhibition game against Evans High from Orlando was cancelled due to weather.
“Us not having an opportunity to play a preseason game (took away) time to clean up mental mistakes,” Coach Allen said.

GAME STATS

Cornerback Ryheem Moore had an amazing game: three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Plus a 41-yard touchdown catch on offense.
“I’ve never seen numbers like that from a corner,” said Allen, noting that it’s usually a safety who’s sitting back and able to react to a pass and make a pick.
Quarterback Ashton Brooks went 7 for 10 passing for 115 yards, plus rushing for 72 yards, most of that picked up on scrambles.
Jaylen Jones, known for his defensive play, also took some snaps as quarterback and rushed three times for 29 yards.
Running backs got some work: Danny Godbolt carried 6 times for 34 yards; Nigel Cloud had 5 carries for 10 yards; Bryce Manning had 4 carries for 39 yards.
Offensive Player of the Week Jarell Randolph had one catch for a touchdown. RB Danny Godbolt had one catch for 31 yards.
Defensive Player of the Week, lineback Rayshon St. Hilaire, had 10 tackles in the game, 7 solo and 3 assists.
Allen was pleased with his team’s defensive play, saying they played really well.
The lone Gadsden touchdown was on a play where the corner got caught looking into the backfield and the Jaguar receiver got in front of him and caught the ball and made it to the end zone.

GAME RECAP

Wakulla took the opening kickoff and drove the field – rushing plays only, no passes, and capped by a 15-yard run by RB Armon Lindsey. Kicker Colby Carranza kicked the PAT. Wakulla 7, Gadsden O.
Gadsden scored on their possession, a 96-yard TD pass and run that Coach Allen attributed to the corner looking in the backfield and letting the receiver get by him. Extra point good, tied at 7.
Wakulla responded with a 41-yard TD pass to Ryheem Moore. Wakulla up 14-7.
The War Eagles drove down to the 5 but couldn’t score; Jaguars take over on downs. A few plays later, Moore makes a diving interception, his first of three.
The offense scores on that, RB Jarell Randolph starts one way, shakes a defender and cuts back across the field to score. Extra point was hindered by a 5 yard penalty for false start. Wakulla up 20-7 and that was the score at halftime.
Gadsden got the second half kickoff, and Moore got his second pick of the night.
There was the first lightning delay at 4:51 in the third. When play resumed, Wakulla was driving and attempted a field goal to start the 4th quarter, but it was no good.
Moore had his third pick and took it to the house. Wakulla up 27-7 when second lightning delay happened.

UP NEXT: TAYLOR COUNTY BULLDOGS

Wakulla travels to Perry this Friday to take on the Taylor County Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have won the past two meetings, and Allen said the team is well-coached and disciplined.
The War Eagles have to stop the Bulldogs’ athlete who wears the No. 1 jersey and plays QB, RB, receiver and some defense.
And they have to win upfront. Against Gadsden, Wakulla’s O-line was moving people around.

Coach’s Corner

From the coach

Last week: First game was not our best. Lack of preseason game meant no time to clean up mental mistakes.
Scouting: Taylor County Bulldogs are a well-coached and disciplined team. On the road, so crowd will be into it.
Key to victory: Win up front, and stop the Bulldogs player wearing No. 1 who plays quarterback, running back, receiver and defense.

MVP

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Ten years ago, 2016, Derek Allen was getting ready to take over the Wakulla War Eagle offense as quarterback. He led the team, under Head Coach Scott Klees, to the playoffs.

For more Football stories see our Football Special Section

Allen makes his return to the War Eagles as the new head coach, after Klees retired from coaching at the end of last season.
Allen comes to Wakulla after coaching at Blountstown as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and before that as wide receivers coach at Harris County High School.
In addition to serving as head coach, Allen is the offensive coordinator and play caller for the War Eagles.
He is a run-first coach, he says, but when the defense starts crowding the box, he goes for deep passes.
New quarterback Ashton Brooks has a strong arm, Allen says, and can throw a ball 60 yards in the air.
Brooks will be looking downfield for a receiving corps that includes Jarell Rudolph, Rhyeem Moore, Randy Moore, and Demarkus Roberts.
The offensive line will be headed by senior Brice Rowan at center, and senior Wyatt Jones at left tackle.
The defense includes lineman Antonio Harvey, linebacker Rayshon St. Hillaire, and safety Jaylen Jones – who returns to Wakulla after playing last year at Blountstown.
Allen says he sees his role as a football coach as “Preparing these guys for life. As a coach, everybody wants to win football games, but the main thing is setting these guys up for life.”
Other coaches on the staff include defensive coordinator Chris Beverly, who played at Citadel, D-line coach Doot Engram, who Allen brought from Blountstown, and longtime linebacker coach Vic Culley. Other coaches include Marcus Farlin, Michael Pierce, Paxton Tomaini, Ra’Kwan Allen, and Bre Hill.

By WALT JACOBS
Correspondent

“I wasn’t the fastest kid on the block,” said Sam Harris Sr. “So when I started getting these phone calls and talking with Coach Kam, he was like, ‘Mr. Harris, your son is pretty fast.’ I’m like OK, cool. He said, ‘I don’t think you get it, he’s really fast.’ I said, OK, well let’s see. From there it took off.”

In Sam Harris Jr.’s first year competing in track and field, the 14-year-old eighth grader set school records at Riversprings Middle School in the 50 meters (6.1 seconds), 100 meters (11.35 seconds), and 200 meters (22.94 seconds).
Although Harris only competed in the long jump a few times, he also set the school record for that event as well, with a leap of 19 feet 8 inches.
His performances during the season qualified him for the FLYRA Middle School Track and Field State Championship held in Bradenton at the IMG Academy.
On the biggest stage, Harris recorded his best numbers of the season, resulting in a 6th place finish in the long jump, 6th in the 200 meters, and 11th in the 100 meters. Harris’ stellar performance earned him an invitation to compete in the Under Armour Track and Field Nationals. It is the first time a middle school track and field athlete from Wakulla County has received the honor.
Riversprings Principal Joshua Sandgren described Harris as the “total package.”
“Sam is the type of kid that has his priorities in the right way,” said Sandgren, “where it’s always school first and academics are most important. As tremendous of an athlete as he’s grown to become, he still hasn’t lost that vision of ‘I’m a student before I’m an athlete.’ I think a lot of that probably goes back to what his mom and dad have instilled in him.”
Harris’ dad, Sam Harris Sr. said, “I can’t give all the credit to me and his mom. Just like he brags about his parents, Sam brags about Coach Knight, he brags about Coach Kam, he brags about all the teachers out there, the principal, just everybody. You know it takes a village to raise these kids.”
Kam Rosier, Harris’ track and field coach, said, “Sam is very humble, very self-motivated, and very outgoing. He’s always willing to put in the work and go above and beyond, with no questions asked.” Rosier continued, “He exceeds all expectations that he has set for himself. Even the goals that I had set for him as a coach, he set his own goals even higher. He’s an overachiever, a real true go-getter when it comes to sports, academics, all around. He’s the definition of a student-athlete.”
Tom Robison is another coach and teacher who has had the pleasure of having Harris as a pupil. Robison, who played professional football in both the USFL and the NFL, raved about Harris saying, “He is one of the most respectful kids his age. It’s pretty amazing. He’s very polite and no trouble. If you ask him to do something, there is no argument, there is yes sir and he does it.”
“At some point, you’re going to be playing against people that have just as good or better physical abilities as you do,” says Robison. “If you’re better, you’re just barely better.” Robison believes diligence, discipline, and preparation make the difference.
Rhetorically, Robison asked, “Do you put in the work? Are you prepared? Do you know what you’re going to do? Do you put in the practice time? Do you pay attention? Are you studying?” Robison affirmed, “Sam is unbelievably coachable. He will respond and work hard.” He added, “He’s really an amazing kid. If the school was full of kids like Sam, what an easy job teaching and coaching would be. He’s a tremendous young man with a great future.”
Harris’ optimistic outlook and affable demeanor have made a positive impact on everything he does and everyone he meets. Harris’ math teacher Sierra Miles said many students claim Harris as “their best friend.” Harris’ parents recognize these traits in their son as well and are proud of how he conducts himself. Harris’ mother, Janay said of her son, “He is so sweet.”
That may sound like a mother just saying what mothers are expected to say, but her words were seasoned with such love and tenderness that you could not help but feel the truth in them. Harris Sr. said, “He knows how to uplift people around him. When he’s out there with the other kids, they are happy to see him. He comes around, he gives them a little advice, not only that, his energy rubs off on them, he’s always staying positive and saying you know what, we can do better today, let’s do better tomorrow, every day we come in let’s just get better.”
High achievement is something that everyone has come to expect from Harris, leaving Principal Sandgren to conclude, “If he continues to work at it, I think Sam Harris could be one of those names that people remember for a very long time.”

Staff Report

The Wakulla High School Lady War Eagles are in the Final Four after a walloping of Paxon 13-2 on Thursday, May 14.

In the semi-final to be held this week on Thursday, May 21, the No. 2 Lady War Eagles will face the No. 3 Eustis Panthers at the Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, in the Orlando metro area. The winner plays in the state championship game on Friday against the winner of No. 1 Coral Springs Charter and No. 4 McKeel Academy.
Because the semi-final is on Wakulla’s graduation day, a special graudation for the five seniors on the softball team will be held on Wednesday, May 20 at 11 a.m.