Woodlan’s senior Donald Guerrant, holding the ball, spins around and evades the Blazers defense to score the last touchdown of the first half, and Jack Rhoades celebrating in the background. More pictures at westbendnews.net
Woodlan opened the 2017 high school football season in style on Friday night as the Warriors scored 29 first half points and never looked back in cruising past visiting Eastside 35-19.
The Warriors controlled the game on both sides of the ball as Woodlan’s defense limited the Blazers to four first downs in the contest and 94 yards of total offense, giving up only a fourth quarter touchdown to the Eastside offense.
The Blazers did get two touchdowns from their special teams units in the third quarter, but Woodlan’s early lead was never threatened.
Woodlan struck first on a two-yard touchdown run by Jack Rhoades to put the Warriors on top 8-0. Justin Durkes tossed a 16-yard scoring pass to Amarion Hicks as Woodlan widened the advantage to 15-0 at the end of one quarter.
Durkes struck again in the second stanza, connecting with Ahlan Howard on a 24-yard scoring strike to extend the lead to 22-0.
Donald Guerrant then closed out the first half scoring for the Warriors, plunging three yards into the end zone to make it 29-0 Woodlan at the break.
Eastside cut into the deficit in the third quarter, getting a blocked punt recovery by Carson Smith for a score before Staley returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown as the Blazers pulled within 29-13.
However, Rhoades then sealed any doubt with a four yard touchdown scamper that pushed the Warrior advantage to 35-13.
Aaron Dean rounded out the game’s scoring with a 33-yard touchdown catch of a Caleb Ballentine pass to set the final margin at 35-19.
Durkes finished the night passing for 199 yards, completing 19 of 24 tosses on the evening. Guerrant hauled in eight passes for 104 yards to top the Warriors. Rhoades anchored the ground game for Woodlan, scampering for 173 yards on 29 carries including a pair of touchdowns.
Dean topped the Blazers on the night with four receptions for 73 yards while also recording eight tackles defensively.
Woodlan returns to action on Friday as the Warriors host Prairie Heights. In its opener, Prairie Heights was blanked by Garrett 42-0.
Eastside will welcome in Adams Central for a non-league battle in week two. The Jets are coming off of a 42-14 win at Bellmont on Friday.
