By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
After a productive bye week in which the Wolverines rested, reflected and regrouped, Woodruff routed Landrum on Homecoming to begin region play and kick off its quest for a second consecutive region title.
Now, the schedule ramps up with talented Southside Christian coming to Varner Stadium. This game has massive region implications and will also be the Wolverines’ senior night, which comes much earlier than normal with Woodruff’s final three regular-season games coming on the road.
HEAD COACHES
Woodruff: Brett Sloan, fourth season
Southside Christian: Jonathan Gess, second season
2026 RECORDS
Woodruff: 4-2 overall, 1-0 region
Southside Christian: 4-2 overall, 1-0 region
LAST WEEK
Woodruff defeated Landrum 49-0.
Southside Christian defeated Clinton 28-24.
BY THE NUMBERS
Points scored: Woodruff, 237 (39.5 per game); Southside Christian, 110 (18.3).
Points allowed: Woodruff, 133 (22.2 per game); Southside Christian, 100 (16.7).
SERIES HISTORY
First meeting: Woodruff won 28-27 in 2018.
Last meeting: Southside Christian won 37-10 in 2019.
The all-time series is tied 1-1.
About the Wolverines
Woodruff started region play in fine fashion, dispatching Landrum 49-0 in front of the home fans. This week brings senior night and Woodruff’s final regular-season home game, with another appearance at Varner Stadium potentially awaiting in the postseason.
The offense roared to life against the Cardinals, and once again, quarterback Connor Davis and running back Jaylen Lyles played well. Davis completed 12 of his 14 passes for an astounding 415 yards and five touchdowns to five different receivers. Lyles’ 778 rushing yards place him in the top 15 in South Carolina, regardless of classification.
Against a physical Southside Christian defense, those two, along with other playmakers like Curtis Bell and Appalachian State commit MiCah McClintock, will need to be at their best.
With the Sabres operating a run-heavy offense, the defensive front seven, led by Jayden Hunter, Reco Abney, Kelan Hunter, Christian Sumner and linebackers Nathan McConnell and Mekhi Norman, will be charged with playing sound assignment football. The secondary, led by Malachi Thompson, Jay Glenn, Addison Davis and Aidan Lanford, will be counted on to contribute in run support.
About the Sabres
Southside Christian enters this week’s contest as a team primed to receive a boost. Following their 28-24 win against Clinton, the Sabres bring a talented team into Varner Stadium.
Southside Christian took a preseason hit with the loss of its starting quarterback to injury and has transitioned to a run-heavy offense behind wide receiver-turned-quarterback Aaron Gilliam. Gilliam has attempted just 38 passes through six games but is the team’s second-leading rusher behind junior running back Jaylen Samuel.
The Sabres could also see the debut this week of Michael Martin II, a running back familiar to the Wolverines. Martin is a midseason transfer from Christ Church, which Woodruff played in last year’s playoffs.
Depth is an issue for Southside Christian, with many starters going both ways. Among them is rising sophomore star Ryder Smith, who plays receiver and cornerback. Smith has returned two interceptions for touchdowns this season.
The Sabres have a physical, tenacious defense led up front by defensive end Aiden McGowan and linebackers Nigel Rock and Richie Maxwell. Rock is one of the top linebacker prospects in the state and is committed to The Citadel.
While the offensive numbers have not been prolific, Southside Christian has severely limited opponents’ offensive output this year.
Players to watch
WOODRUFF
- No. 14 — Connor Davis, QB, Sr., 6-foot-2, 210 pounds
- No. 3 — Jaylen Lyles, RB, Sr., 5-foot-9, 185 pounds
- No. 11 — MiCah McClintock, TE, Sr., 6-foot-4, 220 pounds
- No. 1 — Curtis Bell, WR, Jr., 5-foot-10, 180 pounds
- No. 17 — Kelan Hunter, LB/DL, Sr., 6-foot-1, 190 pounds
- No. 2 — Malachi Thompson, DB, Jr., 5-foot-10, 170 pounds
SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN
- No. 4 — Aaron Gilliam, QB, Sr., 6-foot-0, 165 pounds
- No. 1 — Jaylen Samuel, RB/DB, Jr., 5-foot-9, 190 pounds
- No. 7 — Ryder Smith, WR/DB, Soph., 6-foot-3, 185 pounds
- No. 5 — Nigel Rock, LB/DE, Sr., 6-foot-3, 230 pounds
- No. 44 — Richie Maxwell, LB, Sr., 6-foot-2, 200 pounds
- No. 56 — Aiden McGowan, DE, Sr., 6-foot-2, 235 pounds
Coach’s Corner with Brett Sloan
“It is a big game but all region games are big games. This is a very deep region so it’s entirely possible that the winner could have a loss. However, it feels like a win would definitely put us in a good position.”
“I think we have to continue to distribute the ball to multiple players. We need to continue stressing the quick passing game and give our guys an opportunity to make plays in space. We need to be balanced both throwing and running.”
“(Southside Christian) is very fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball. They do their job, they play with good pad level, they tackle well, etc. Defensively, we have to match their physicality and we have to get lined up correctly. They show a lot of unique formations and we have to be sound in our alignment.”
