The 2024 Spring Football Game Bridged the Gap Between Generations of Wolverines
By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
The 2024 Maroon and Gold spring football game was held at Varner Stadium on May 16, and the Wolverines delighted the crowd during a spirited first glimpse at this year’s team.
But it was the Wolverines of old that really stole the show.
As part of the festivities at this year’s spring game, Woodruff High invited alumni football players to come back and take snaps on the field they used to call home in a friendly 7-on-7 flag football contest.
It was the highlight of the evening, full of fun, laughs, and even reminders that the stars of yesteryear still have a few moves left in them.
But before that, the present-day Wolverines played the first half of the spring game, adding highlights of their own. Rising senior quarterback T.J. Morris threw a beautiful touchdown pass to rising junior receiver Kam Taylor, running back Aiden Gibson added some electrifying runs, and the revamped Woodruff defense looked fast and physical. Head coach Brett Sloan was pleased with what he saw.
“I thought it was a great night overall,” Sloan said. “We had a great atmosphere and I think we saw flashes of what the 2024 team can be. We had a couple of explosive plays offensively in both the passing game and the run game. I thought the defense was more physical. We ran to the ball well, and we came up with two big fourth-down stops. So, it was good to see things go back and forth a bit. I was very pleased with our effort.”
Then, at halftime, Wolverines of the past laced up their cleats and took the field for a 20-minute exercise in nostalgia.
Among those former players who took part was Antonio Patton, who was a sensational star for the Wolverines from 2003-2005. Patton was an all-state player at wide receiver and defensive back during his playing days, and he was thrilled to come back home and take the Varner Stadium field again.
“Putting those cleats on and being on that sideline while people were screaming my name just brought back so many memories, gave me chills,” he said.
Shun Tribble, who is Woodruff High’s all-time rushing leader, still has the elite speed that made him one of the state’s most dynamic running backs from 2009-11. Tribble made quick work of the defense just like he used to do, spinning and juking his way to a touchdown. Déjà vu all over again.
He also did not pass up the chance to give some good-natured ribbing to one of his former teammates.
“It was fun,” said Tribble. “I’m a very competitive person.
It was good seeing all the alumni out enjoying the field again together. I can definitely admit I missed having Ryan Perkins and Jake Lambert as my quarterback. Cyd Wedman is by far the worst quarterback in Woodruff High School history! Good thing we used him at wideout back in (Coach Brian) Lane’s era.”
Wedman, who along with Tribble, helped lead Woodruff to the 2011 state championship game, played quarterback for one of the teams and had a more glowing opinion of his passing ability, though it was a pretty long way removed from his normal duties as a wide receiver and defensive back in his playing days.
“Man, playing quarterback has always been my dream,” quipped Wedman. “I used to beg Coach Lane to let me get some snaps when we were up big, but he never let me because he was scared of injuries in moments like that. But once I heard we were having that 7-on-7, I automatically hopped on the opportunity.”
There is a saying in Woodruff that goes, ‘Once a Wolverine, always a Wolverine.’ The 2024 team is beginning its early preparations for a new season. For the Wolverines who came before them, they were able to take a break from the current seasons of their lives for 20 minutes and relive the glory days of their youth.
Sure, it was all in good fun. But Coach Sloan also knows the importance of bringing different generations together and embracing the history of Woodruff football.
“In a town like Woodruff, tradition and legacy matter,” he said. “There is a championship history here, and I think the more that you can involve past players and coaches, the better. It helps our current players understand that they are part of something that is bigger than themselves and it creates buy-in from the alumni and community. We are very grateful to those former players who came out to play. Coach (Amos) Moates did a great job organizing the teams, and it is something we hope to build on and make better and make even more exciting in the future.”
Author: Tracy Sanders
