September 8, 2023
Charles Wilson / Bartow Sports Zone

Wildcats’ QB Brelace Williams connected with Zach Wiggins for a 36-yard touchdown pass as Woodland rallied to beat Pepperell.
The Woodland Wildcats overcame a 13-point halftime deficit Friday night and scored 28 points in the second half to rally past the visiting Pepperell Dragons, 35-28.

The win evened the Wildcats’ season record and came on an evening when Woodland enjoyed the return to their home stadium after three games away. Vandalism of the sports turf in the Wildcats’ stadium forced Woodland to play the first “home game” of the year on the Adairsville High campus back in August. Pepperell scored twice in the first quarter Friday night to take a 12-0 lead.

Erik Jensen connected with Sam Ross for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 7:37 to go in the opening period. Ross then added a 2-yard touchdown run with 0:55 remaining in the quarter. A PAT kick failed on the first score and a two-point conversion attempt failed following the Dragons’ second touchdown.

Both teams added touchdowns in the second quarter. Woodland got a 4-yard rushing touchdown from Jay Walker and a Nick Miranda PAT kick to narrow the Pepperell lead to 12-7 with 7:04 left in the half. Tyler Rogers scored on an 8-yard run for Pepperell with 1:22 left in the period. The Dragons added a two-point conversion pass completion giving the Dragons a 20-7 lead at the intermission. In the second half, the Wildcats’ offense picked up the pace and the defense came up with key stops. Woodland posted the only points of the third quarter when Heath Tatum scored on an 8-yard run. Miranda’s kick narrowed Pepperell’s lead to 20-14 with 5:13 left in the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats took their first lead of the night. Woodland quarterback Brelace Williams connected with Zach Wiggins for a 36-yard touchdown strike to grab a 21-20 lead with 10:36 remaining in the game.

Pepperell regained the lead just over four minutes later. Rogers scored on a 2-yard run and followed his touchdown with a two-point conversion run to put the Dragons up 28-21 with 6:12 left. Woodland knotted the score on their next possession. Tatum broke free for a 42-yard scoring sprint that tied the game 28-28 with 5:02 remaining. The game-winning drive culminated with only 0:32 left to play. Devin Teasley punched in a 2-yard run to secure the Wildcats’ 35-28 win. The loss drops Pepperell to 0-3 on the season.

Woodland (2-2) has an open date next Friday and will host Osborne on September 22.