By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
The Wolverines are back! Following a three-month summer break, the new school year is upon us and so, too, is a new sports season. There are high expectations and excitement all around. Woodruff High students have officially moved into the new school; football expects to contend for a state championship; the volleyball program looks to take their next step as a contender; and cross-country and ladies’ tennis have high hopes. Here is your first look at your 2026 fall sports teams at Woodruff High School.
Football
- Head coach: Brett Sloan (4th season)
- Last season’s record: 11-2 (4-0 region), region champions
- Returning starters: 8 (6 offense, 2 defense)
- Key returning players: Connor Davis- Sr (QB), Jaylen Lyles- Sr (RB), Curtis Bell- Jr (WR), Ian Jones- Jr (OL), Paul Davis- Sr (OL/DL), Dawson Clevenger- Sr (OL), Malachi Thompson- Jr (DB), Addison Davis- Sr (S/DB), Amari Gibson- Sr (LB), Kelan Hunter- Sr (LB/TE)
- Key newcomers: MiCah McClintock- Sr (WR/TE), Damien Lee- Soph (WR), Aidan Lanford- Soph (DB/WR), Christian Sumner- Jr (DL), Makhai Dummott- Sr (WR/DB), Grae Smith- Jr (WR)
Coach Sloan says:
“We have very high expectations (for our players). They are very talented. I think there is also something to be said for perspective as far as, I think this team will be much better at the end of the year than it will be early in the year, because we do have a lot of guys who are in new roles for the first time. Especially defensively. We feel really good about our talent over there; they just haven’t done it under the Friday night lights yet. They’ll be some bumps in the road and growing pains, but I am really excited about the potential of this team and what they can be if they do the right things every week.”
Volleyball
- Head coach: Tonja Westmoreland (5th season)
- Last season’s record: 13-16 (2-8 region)
- Returning starters: 3
- Key returning players:
- Natalee Simmons- Sr (Setter)
- Harrison Rhodes- Sr (Outside Hitter)
- Jaylen Means- Sr (Defensive Specialist)
- Top newcomers:
- Bella Westmoreland- Fr (Libero)
- Audrey Crain- Fr (Middle Blocker/Hitter)
- Heidi West- Fr (Outside Hitter)
Coach Westmoreland says:
“I am looking forward to a new season with this great group of athletes. Not only do we have a new team, but we are also in a new class and new region. The region is still a competitive region, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Girls Tennis
- Head coach: Robert Vanadore (2nd season)
- Last season’s record: 8-10
- Returning starters: 3
- Key returning players: Stella Harrison, Harrison Hatchett, Larson Abrams
Coach Vanadore says:
“The upcoming season for tennis is one with more questions than answers. Moving down to 2A and being in a new Region will be eye-opening for a lot of the players. We have some heavy hitters in our Region, with the likes of Landrum, Clinton, and Southside Christian. If we are to be successful, we will need to work the kinks out early. We have about 20 players on our roster. This includes both JV and Varsity. I wish I could tell you we have a lot of experience, but we do not. We are young and inexperienced. That does not mean we don’t have some great players returning. If our growth trajectory continues as the trend would suggest, by the end of the season we should be competitive with top teams in our region.”
Cross-Country
- Head coach: Haley Lawson (12th season)
- Last season’s record: Girls (2nd place in region, 8th in state meet), boys (second place in region, 9th in state meet)
- Top returning runners:
- Girls: Sydnee Cothran, Reese Abrams, Zoey Jayne Lawson, Leigha Clutter, Lydia Knighten
- Boys: Jayden Day, Sam Ringgold, Aidan Lawson, Wes Newsome
- Key newcomers:
- Girls: Mattie Rhodes and Sidney McCarley
- Boys: Mario Orellana
Coach Lawson says:
“Last year was an excellent season with boys’ and girls’ teams finishing in the top 10 in the state. This was our goal last year, and this year we are simply reloading and shooting for the same goal. In the cross-country world, we have one of the toughest regions. We hope to run to the best of our ability and make our school and community proud of the hard work and dedication it takes to pursue a sport that is as mentally tough as XC. Cross-country is underrepresented in our community, and our coaching staff is committed to promoting distance running and its benefits that last a lifetime. Our hope is to leave with each student a legacy of discipline, community, and fellowship that they can take with them long after their senior season.”
Competitive Cheer
- Head coach: Paula Watts (1st season)
- Returning team members: 12
- Key returning team members:
- Beya Bogan-Sr (Base/Tumbler)
- Callie Adams- Sr (Base/Tumbler)
- Reagan Smith- Soph (Backspot/Tumbler)
- Laney Harper-Jr (Backspot)
- Calii Thomas- Sr (Flyer)
- Catherine Cole- Soph (Flyer)
- Amiyah Quarles-Sr (Base)
- Newcomers:
- Jha’Nai Dummott- Fr (Base/Tumbler)
- Madison Leatherwood-Jr (Base)
- Mariah Waddell-Jr (Base)
Coach Watts says:
“We are excited about the season ahead and the growth we have already seen from this team. With 12 returning athletes and several talented newcomers, we have a great mix of experience, leadership, and new energy. The girls have worked hard throughout the summer to become stronger, learn a new competition routine, and prepare for Friday nights. My biggest hope is that we continue growing closer as a team and improve our scores each time we compete. Our goal is to represent Woodruff well both in the classroom and on the field and mat, make our school and community proud, and earn a spot to compete at the state championships in Columbia on November 21st.”
