War Eagles fall in playoffs, end season
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
The Wakulla War Eagles’s season ended in Jacksonville against the No. 3 seed Bishop Kenny Crusaders on Friday night, 43-19.
The War Eagles entered the game as the No. 6 seed as district champs with a 6-4 overall record, and 3-0 in the district.
Bishop Kenny finished the regular season at 8-2.
While the score looks lopsided, it was still competitive halfway through the second quarter – Wakulla was up 13-7 before the game started getting away.
The Crusaders scored with 2 minutes left before halftime, added a 2-point conversion to go up 15-13 and never looked back.
The War Eagles, hampered by injuries, were game but outmanned.
Head Coach Scott Klees noted that, unless you make it to the state championship, your season is going to end with a loss.
He called it an unbelievable season with a “bittersweet ending.”
“There was so much adversity, so many injuries,” Klees said. “I’ve never had a year like this in 32 years of coaching.”
Klees was pleased with his team winning the district championship and making it to the first round of the playoffs – but, again, with so many injuries the team was playing with a next-guy-up mentality.
Klees praised his assistant coaches for their work each week in getting the players ready.
And he praised his players for how hard they worked and how hard they practiced.
“I’m super proud to be part of these guys,” he said.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Special Teams Player of the Week was Bryce Manning, who had 3 big tackles and 2 returns.
Defensive Player of the Week was Jordan Barnes with 8 tackles and 2 pass break ups.
Offensive Player of the Week was Lacari Murry with 8 catches for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.
And MVP was quarterback Owen Klees who rushed 12 times for 94 yards and a TD, and threw for 390 yards and 2 TDs.
Coach’s Corner
There is no Coaches Corner this week as the season ending game was last week.
2025 War Eagle schedule
- Thu, 8/21 at 7 pm at Gene Cox Stadium vs. Leon
- Fri, 8/29, at 7 pm vs. Taylor County at Wakulla High School
- Fri, 9/5 at 7 pm vs. Chiles at WHS
- Fri, 9/19 at 7 pm vs. FAMU DRS at WHS
- Fri, 9/26 at 7:30 pm at Live Oak vs. Suwannee*
- Fri, 10/3 at 7 pm at Fort Walton Beach
- Fri, 10/10 at 7 pm at Gene Cox vs. Godby*
- Fri, 10/17 at 7 pm at Santa Rosa Beach vs. South Walton
- Fri, 10/24 at 7 p.m. vs. Baker County* at WHS
- Fri, 10/31 at 7 pm vs. Gadsden County at WHS
2025 War Eagle JV schedule
- Wed, 8/20 at 7 pm at Madison County
- Thu, 8/28 at 7 p.m. vs Gadsden County at WHS
- Wed, 9/10 vsTBA Opponent
- Thu, 9/18 at 7 pm at Taylor County
- Wed, 9/24 at 6:30 p.m. at Chiles
- Thu, 10/2 at 7 pm vs Florida High School at WHS
Cougars are Champions
Special to The Sun
Congratulations to the Cougars – Undefeated Super Bowl Champions of Wakulla County!
The Cougars completed a perfect 11–0 season by dominating the Mountaineers 36–0 in the Championship Game!
Powered by a high-octane offense that scored 453 total points and a stingy defense that allowed only 12 points all season, this team proved to be something truly special. Their success is a reflection of hard work, discipline, and determination from start to finish.
“This is now back-to-back Super Bowl wins for the Cougars, which comes with a lot of hard work and dedication,” said Head Coach Derrick Franklin.
Congratulations to our outstanding players:
Vanessa Dykes, Sean Garner, Easton Manning, Cody Ryan, Thomas Keen, Josijah Lighter, Gabriel Alanis, Terry Harvey Jr., Melvin Tointigh, Kasen Henderson, De’sean Monroe, Jacobi Marine, Cornelius Williams, Clifford Dykes, Fisher Harless, David Clinton, Brayden Dyal, Blake Whitfield, Rhyder Pace, Tyrone Harris, Kenneth Robinson, and Will Rummel.
And a huge thank-you to our coaches: Mike Paynter, Jessie Davis, and Derrick Franklin.
Go Cougars!