Godby thwarts Wakulla in district opener

TALLAHASSEE – In a match-up of district 5A-2 teams, the Godby Cougars hosted the Wakulla War Eagles. The night at Gene Cox Stadium started with an opening ceremony to honor Robin Oliveri, a cancer survivor and Godby High teacher. By the end of the night the Cougars came away with a 41 point win.

Godby head coach Ronnie Cottrell was missing from the sideline due to an illness that put him in the hospital. But the coaching staff came together as a whole to coach a win.

“This one was for him. We did not do anything different that he would not have done. We were in contact all day pretty much chatting about the game,” said assistant coach Cleon McFarlane.

The War Eagles got on the board first with a little brother to big brother passing score. Feleipe Franks threw a 10 yard pass that Jordan Franks took an extra 45 yards to the end zone.

But it did not take long for Cougar’s senior QB J.T. Bradwell get his team going. He connected with fellow senior Tavis James for a 74 yard TD.

Bradwell followed up his first score with another passing TD to PJ Simmons with 4:48 left in the first quarter.

Not soon after Wakulla drove the length of the field and punched in a one yard score on the legs of RB Antonio Morns. This tied the game with 11:14 at the top of the second quarter.

The War Eagle score not only marked a tie game but also marked the last time they would score in the game.

The Cougars went on to score on three of their next four possessions. Only failing to convert on a late Bradwell interception before halftime.

Since the kicking game came at a premium the Cougars took a 33-12 lead into the half.

Coming out of half it only took Bradwell six plays and two minutes off the clock to add to the lead.

By the end of the third quarter the Cougars had scored enough points for the referees to call upon the running clock rule. A rule that says when a team is up by 35 or more points then the gamenclock may be run without stopping to end the game.

Bradwell finished 7-12 for 216 passing yards 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. On the ground he gained 104 yards and scored twice.  RB Kenny Young chipped in with 140 yards rushing and one score.

Defensively Jacob Pugh, a 2013 Under Armour All-American, was in the shadows all game as his teammate shined. Santonio “Sandman” Wiggins had four sacks on the night.

For the War Eagles QB F. Franks finished with 76 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception.

Head coach for Wakulla, Scott Klees lamented after the game his team put up the best performance possible.

“We played physical and that’s all you can ask for as a coach,” Klees said.

Next up for the Cougars is a date with visiting Jacksonville Trinity Christian. While the War Eagles will look to bounce back against the Bradford Tornadoes. Both games will have a 7pm kickoff time.