JV football offense

In preparation for the effects of Hurricane Helene, Woodland High School moved its athletic events to Wednesday night, shifting both the JV and Varsity football games to avoid the impending storm. While the football teams took on Bishop England at home, the volleyball teams hit the road for a key region match against Philip Simmons High School.

Volleyball Recap

Both the JV and Varsity volleyball squads traveled to Philip Simmons High School to face the highly competitive Iron Horses. The Wolverines showcased their talent and tenacity, battling hard against a well-prepared Philip Simmons team. Despite their efforts, the JV Wolverines fell in a 2-0 set sweep, and the Varsity team experienced a similar result, with Philip Simmons taking the match in straight sets, 3-0.

This loss marked a tough outing for the Wolverines, particularly for the Varsity team, as it was an important region match. However, they remain determined and focused on their next challenge. Varsity will look to bounce back when they head to Burke High School on Thursday, October 3rd.

JV Football Recap

The JV game kicked off at 5:30 PM, marking only the second contest for Woodland’s JV team this season, following previous weather disruptions and transportation issues. Both teams showcased strong defenses in the first quarter, but with 3:03 remaining, Bishop England broke through with the first touchdown of the game. The successful point-after attempt made the score 7-0.

The Wolverines attempted to respond, but a costly fumble was recovered by the Bishops and returned for another touchdown. The Bishops’ PAT was good, extending their lead to 14-0. With just 26 seconds remaining in the half, Bishop England tacked on a field goal, bringing the halftime score to 17-0.

Despite a gritty second half, both defenses held firm, leading to a scoreless final two quarters. The game ended with a 17-0 victory for Bishop England. The Wolverines JV squad will look to bounce back on the road next week against the Philip Simmons War Horses on Thursday, October 3rd.

Varsity Football Recap

The Varsity Wolverines took the field at 7:30 PM, ready for action under the lights. Bishop England received the kickoff to start the game and wasted no time. On the second play from scrimmage, the Bishops connected on a huge pass to an open receiver, who ran it into the endzone for the first score of the game. With a successful PAT, the score quickly became 7-0.

Woodland’s offense looked poised to answer but was forced to turn the ball over in the red zone later in the first quarter. The Bishops took over deep in Wolverine territory but struggled to make any headway. A botched snap on third down led to a safety for Woodland, putting the Wolverines on the board with 5:50 remaining in the first quarter, cutting the lead to 7-2.

As the Bishops regained possession, Woodland’s defense stepped up. George Perry came through with a crucial interception with 1:15 left in the first, giving the Wolverines a chance to take the lead. However, the Wolverines couldn't capitalize on the turnover, and the first quarter ended with Bishop England still leading 7-2.

Early in the second quarter, the Wolverines began to build momentum, but a fumble led to another Bishop England touchdown. The PAT was no good, and the score stood at 13-2. However, Woodland quickly responded. On a controversial Bishop England fumble, Travon Tate recovered the ball and ran it into the endzone for six points. The Wolverines opted for a two-point conversion, with Deuce Salley connecting with senior DJ Blanden to bring the score to 13-10 with 1:49 left in the half.

Woodland's defense held strong, preventing Bishop England from scoring again before the half. The Bishops attempted a field goal, but the kick was unsuccessful, keeping the score at 13-10 heading into halftime.

The third quarter was largely a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to gain ground. It wasn’t until fourth down with 1:56 left in the quarter that Bishop England broke through once again, extending their lead to 20-10. On the ensuing kickoff, the Wolverines fumbled, allowing Bishop England to regain possession. The Bishops took advantage, scoring again on fourth down with just 58 seconds left in the third quarter, making the score 27-10.

Despite several offensive opportunities in the fourth quarter, Woodland couldn’t find the end zone. Turnovers and penalties, including multiple false starts and holding calls, stalled the Wolverines’ progress. The game ended with Bishop England claiming a 27-10 victory, handing Woodland their first loss of the season and dropping them to a 4-1 record.

Woodland will regroup and look forward to next Friday, October 4th, when they host the Philip Simmons War Horses. The game will also serve as a special tribute to members of the United States Armed Forces and First Responders. Woodland High School invites all who wish to participate in the honoring ceremony to sign up on the school’s Facebook page.