War Eagle Watch

The Woodward Academy football team had an outstanding season in its first year in class AAAAA, finishing with a 6-1 record in region play.

Last season, Woodward Academy advanced to the AAAA State Semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Blessed Trinity. This year, GHSA reclassification placed Woodward Academy in a challenging class AAAAA for the 2020-21 season. A slow start saw the War Eagles team fall to 0-3 out of the blocks. Two of the losses, however, came at the hands of #1 ranked teams in Eagles Landing Christian (A-Private) and Marist (AAAA). Woodward got right back on track when region play began, reeling off six straight wins before falling to Creekside in a game which decided the region championship. 

Finishing as region runner-up placed the War Eagles in the GHSA AAAAA playoffs, hosting #3 seeded Whitewater in round one. The War Eagles wasted little time in jumping ahead of the Wildcats and cruised to a 35-14 win to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. The War Eagles faced #2 ranked Warner Robins in round two. Woodward battled all night long, trailing by just a touchdown at halftime, but a strong second half by the Demons brought the Woodward season to an end. Woodward finished the season 7-5 overall and 6-1 in Region 3-AAAAA. Offensively Woodward was led by junior running back Damari Alston, senior tight end Chase Marshall, and senior wide receiver Alan “Taco” Wright. The War Eagles’ defense has a tradition of limiting opponents and this year proved no different. LB Errington Truesdell, DE Ozzie Hoffler, and DB Khari Gee led a group ranked in the top 15 in AAAAA.