On Friday night, the Woodland Wolverines took the field for a thrilling matchup against the Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raiders. Head Coach Eddie Ford, fresh off his 100th career win the week before against Whale Branch, now faced a personal challenge as he squared off against his high school alma mater. Known for their formidable football teams despite their 1A size, Bamberg-Ehrhardt proved to be a fierce competitor once again.
The game was marked by a festive atmosphere as Woodland High School hosted a Western-themed night in celebration of Dorchester District Four (DD4) Employee Appreciation. All DD4 employees were invited to the game and treated to a delicious meal catered by Sweatman’s BBQ. Before kickoff, the employees were honored on the track, where Principal Mr. White introduced staff from each school and district office to the crowd. DD4 Athletic Director Tydles Sibert expressed his gratitude, thanking the employees for their tireless dedication to providing the best education for every student in the district.
As the game kicked off, both defenses dominated the field, leading to a slow start in the first quarter. With 4:41 remaining in the quarter, #21 Lavonte Farray made a crucial play, forcing a fumble from the Red Raiders, which allowed #18 Jaemin Pinckney to scoop up the loose ball and return it for a touchdown. Although the point-after attempt was missed, Woodland took an early 6-0 lead. Later in the quarter, with just 22 seconds remaining, #24 George Perry stopped a Bamberg-Ehrhardt quarterback keeper on fourth down, turning the ball back over to the Wolverines.
The second quarter continued as a defensive battle until the Red Raiders found the end zone with a touchdown at the 7-minute mark. A successful two-point conversion put Bamberg-Ehrhardt ahead 8-6. With 3:21 left in the half, the Red Raiders struck again, extending their lead to 14-6 after a blocked extra point attempt by the Wolverines. Refusing to back down, Woodland answered back with a touchdown when #1 Travon Tate connected with #12 Zishawn Majette for a score. Though the point-after attempt was no good, Woodland went into halftime trailing by only two points, with the score sitting at 14-12.
The third quarter saw no change in the scoreboard as both teams’ defenses continued to impress. However, in the fourth quarter, the momentum shifted when the Wolverines fumbled, allowing Bamberg-Ehrhardt’s #15 Jalen McGraw to return it 15 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was good, and with 9:06 left in the game, the Red Raiders extended their lead to 20-12.
Woodland wasn’t done yet. Late in the fourth quarter, #20 Lakye White recovered a Red Raider fumble and rushed into the end zone for a touchdown. The Wolverines attempted a two-point conversion to close the gap, but Bamberg-Ehrhardt’s defense held strong, leaving the score at 20-18 with 3:44 left to play.
With just over two minutes remaining, the Wolverines struck gold again when #1 Travon Tate launched a deep pass to #4 Ja’Keese Salley, who hauled it in for a game-changing touchdown. #33 Gibson Kepley made the extra point, pushing Woodland ahead 25-20. In the closing moments, Woodland’s defense came up big with an interception, allowing them to run out the clock. Travon Tate made a clutch play, keeping the ball and charging ahead for a critical first down as he fought off multiple defenders with the help of his teammates. That final effort sealed the game for the Wolverines, who secured a dramatic 25-20 victory.
With the win, the Woodland Wolverines improved to 4-0 on the season. They now turn their focus to the next challenge as they prepare to host the Battling Bishops from Bishop England High School. The Bishops, coming off a 34-14 loss to Porter-Gaud, hold a 3-1 record and are sure to provide tough competition. Due to impending weather, the Military & First Responder night that was scheduled for this Friday will be postponed until October 4th.
This win not only keeps the Wolverines undefeated but also builds excitement as they continue their strong season. Fans and community members alike are eagerly awaiting another action-packed game this Friday.