By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
As summer break comes to an end, the anticipation begins to rise in Woodruff. A town long dominated by its sports culture and history dusts off the pads, rackets, volleyball net, and running shoes as the Wolverines prepare to start another fall sports season. There is much to be excited about in District Four as the calendar turns to August, with a talented and senior-laden football team primed for its deepest run in over a decade, young volleyball, cross-country, and lady’s tennis teams ready to take their next competitive steps. When summer wanes, and the air starts cooling, that is when things begin to heat up in Woodruff.
Here is a first inside look at all five of the Woodruff High School 2022 fall season varsity teams:
Football-
Head Coach- Bradley Adams
2021 Record- 5-6
2021 Region finish- 3-2 (3rd place)
Returning starters- 12 (4 on offense and 8 on defense)
Key returning players- QB Carson Tucker (Sr), OL Jacob Abreu (Sr), HB Donald Stubbs (Sr), WR/DB Nemo Cochran (Sr), WR/DB Anthony Graybill (Sr), DE Ty Ellis (Sr), LB/HB Luke Runyans (Sr), LB Logan McAbee (Sr), RB/DB Eastin Burch (Sr), WR D.J. Nash (Jr), RB Cam Nabors (Sr)
Top newcomers- None listed
Coach Adams says:
“We do not have a lot of experience on the offensive line returning. We have a really good group of linemen, but it will take them gaining some valuable experience before they completely understand the demands of the game. We will be as good as our front on both the offensive and defensive side can take us.”
Volleyball-
Head Coach- Tonja Westmoreland
2021 Record- 7-15
2021 Region finish- 3-7 (5th place)
Returning starters- 4
Key returning players-
Kylie Hitchcock (Sr), Alivia Watts (Sr), Jenna Guker (Sr), Bre Mock (Sr), Meranda Walters (Sr), Ruthie Sheffield (Fr), Jensyn Turner (Fr)
Top newcomers-
Bre Mock and Meranda Walters
Coach Westmoreland says:
“I am excited about the upcoming 2022 WHS Volleyball season. As being my first year as their varsity head coach, I have set high expectations for them. They have come all summer, working out, practicing, training at clinics, playing in scrimmages, hosting three fundraisers, and going above and beyond to better themselves for this season. They have bonded and created a close team atmosphere that I believe will pay off in the end.”
Girls Tennis-
Head coach- Lea Ann Skinner
2021 Record- 10-5
2021 Region finish- 6-4 (3rd place)
Returning starters- 5
Key returning players-
Marlee Wood (Sr), Anna Henry (Sr), Ivey Kate Rhodes (Soph), Georgia Amick (Soph), Genesis Guevara (Soph)
Top newcomers-
June Welch, Emma Vaughn, Maggie Smoak
Coach Skinner says:
“This season will be one of epic opportunities for tennis development for our girls. Our schedule is full with matches that will both challenge us and drive us towards tougher levels of play. Region competition should be interesting, and our team goal remains consistent; to be a factor in post-season play!”
Girls and Boys Cross Country-
Head Coach- Ty Skinner
2021 Results- Girls’ team qualified for the 3A state meet
2021 Region finish- Girls’ and boys’ teams each finished 3rd at the Region III-3A meet
Returning runners- 13 boys, five girls
Key returning runners-Jacob Craig-Jr (all-region), Jayden Johnson-Sr, Grayson Fulmer-Sr, Samuel Blake Westmoreland-Jr, Nathan Kelly-Fr, Layne Vaughn-Sr, Erin McCallion-Jr (all-region), Adaline Rudder-Jr (all-region), Rachel Hayes-Fr (all-region)
Coach Skinner says:
“We have added ten boys to our team for this upcoming season. Nine of the ten are rising seventh graders. It has been a very long time since we have added such a large group of young runners. This is a group that I am very excited to get to work with for the next few years. Lauryn Beeler, Lily Zheng, Arlene Mondragon, and Bailee Brown are all girls who I think can help our girls team reclaim the region championship season. The expectation and the goal for our teams each year is to win the region championship. Though we had some individual success last season in the region meet, we are motivated to improve on last year’s results. With all of our guys coming back this season, our top three girls, and the addition of some very good runners to our core group, I think we could have a very good season. This has been a fun group to work with this summer. They work hard, and I am excited to see that hard work pay off this coming fall.”
Author: Tracy Sanders
