Woodland Wolverines
Woodland High School's Track and Field Seniors '26.
Woodland head coach Keith Lowman surrounded by seniors Dayton Cloer, Robbie Infinger, Drew Campbell, Luke Crosby, and Jacob Fulton after 7-0 win over Barnwell on April, 8
By Neill Kirkpatrick Special to the HSSR Charleston – Phillip Simmons and Woodland entered Friday’s contest looking to open Region 6 Class AA with a win and it was the Iron Horses who imposed their will and controlled the game from start to finish as they handed the Wolverines their fourth consecutive loss 39-14. “It was a huge win for our team. Getting the first region win sets the tone for the rest of the season,” said Phillip Simmons head coach Eric Bendig. The win was the fourth straight for the Iron Horses after dropping their first two contest and this win puts them atop the region standings with Andrews and Timberland. Coach Bendig, “We’ve been building momentum so to come out and execute as we did against a good Woodland team shows are kids are locked in. The growth from those early games has been visible and our guys have been locked into the plans and they play for the right reason. They love each other and it is a great locker room.” The Wolverines have been going in the opposite direction as they dropped their third straight after a 3-0 start. Their losses have all been to ranked (HSSR POLLS) opponents in Bishop England ( 5 th AAAA), Bamberg Ehrhardt (1 st A) and Friday night’s loss to 7 th ranked AA Phillip Simmons. “We have to a better job of not turning the ball over and playing better third down defense. I thought our defense played well in the first half but we didn’t play complementary football,” said Woodland head coach Eddie Ford. Coach Ford continued, “We have played three really good football teams that past three weeks and while the scores may not show it we have gotten better. I feel like if we can iron out the issues we can make run towards the playoffs.” The Iron Horse’s defense set the tone for the game on Woodlands first possession of the game allowing only 11 yards. In fact, counting the 11 yards the Wolverines gained just 18 yards on their first four possessions. Leading the charge for the Iron Horses were senior linebacker Ethan Chisum, and juniors defensive ends Alex Tchoryk and Diavante Irving, and defensive tackle Christian Cromedy. Cromedy clogged the middle forcing the Woodland’s runners to the outside where Tchoryk and Irving would make a play or force them back inside to meet Mr. Chisum. Chisum led the team with 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery while Irving forced two fumbles to go with five tackles. “Our defense has been playing lights out. We challenged them to be more physical as a unit and they responded. They forced Woodland into uncomfortable situations all night. They deserve a lot of credit for setting the tone of this game,” said coach Bendig. The offense followed up the defense first stop with a 5-play , 62-yard drive to take a 6-0 lead. The drive was highlighted by the Iron Horses version of the “Triplelets” in juniors quarterback Hayes Goddard, wide receiver Ashton Kellermann, and running back Omonte Taylor . Taylor had three carries for 25 yards while Goddard and Kellermann connected twice for 44 yards and a touchdown. Woodlands defense would come up big on the next Iron Horse possession. The Iron Horses drove the ball to a first and goal at the Wolverine four-yard line. A holding penalty whipped out a touchdown and moved the ball back to the 14. The Wolverines got pressure up the middles on Goddard and forced a fumble which recovered by the Wolverines Chandler Fogle turning away the Iron Horses. After a Woodland punt out to the 50. The Iron Horses needed one play to extend their lead when Goddard and Kellermann connected on a beautiful 50-yard touchdown pass. Senior CJ Falotico added the extra point and the lead was 13-0. Woodland’s offense finally showed some life on their fifth possession. Behind Kymonte Goodwin and Jeraze Salley they moved from their 35 to a first down at the Iron Horse 13. On first down Chisum came up with a three-yard tackle for loss putting the Wolverines behind the chains. A fourth down incompletion turned the ball back over to the Iron Horses. The Wolverine defense followed the Iron Horse defense by turning over the Iron Horse offense on downs. Taylor started the drive by ripping off a 31-yard run to the 48. Goddard would connect Blake Johnson for 28-yards down to the Wolverine 37. But then the Wolverines defense forced four straight incompletions to stop the drive. Woodlands best chance to score came on the final possession of the first half. After picking up a first and then a roughing the passer penalty moved the ball to the Iron Horses 25. Salley’s threw into the endzone on third down but the Iron Horses Montrell Mungin went up and picked off the pass in the endzone with 17 seconds remaining. The Iron Horses put the game away in the third quarter when they scored on their first three possessions of the second half. The first was a two-play drive after the second half kick-off. Goddard hit Kellermann for a 19-yard gain and then connected with Patrick Clarke for a 33 -yard touchdown strike. After a Irving forced a fumble that was recovered by Chisum gave the Iron Horses the ball at their 20. On second down the Goddard to Kellerman combo struck again for a 58-yard catch and run. The drive would stall but Falotico would make sure the Iron Horses scored as he nailed a 34-yard field goal to make the score 23-0.
Chesterfield's junior Guard Marquan Blount.
Ashley Ridge defensive lineman JT King pressures the Woodland quarterback during the 2025 Dorchester County Showdown.
By Billy G. Baker Publisher Dorchester —During Spring football drills in May, at Woodland High School, head coach Eddie Ford , and his staff, worked out 47 varsity football candidates, and the coach has a strong goal of improving on last year’s 7-4 record as the Wolverines prepare for the 2025 season. With 13 starters back from last year, and 12 newcomers moving up from the junior varsity with good potential, Coach Ford feels this is the season his team might make it to the third round of the play-offs, which happens to be a strong goal of the team. “I honesty feel like we have a good shot of winning a region title this season,” said Coach Ford. “We have a good mix of older players returning, along with a younger group of players moving up, and we appear to be a closer-knit team coming out of May drills. You have to avoid injuries, and have a little luck but competing hard for a region title will be a strong goal of this team. “This group has a real good work ethic also,” said Coach Ford. “One of our strong goals is to make it to the third round of the play-offs and this bunch has the potential to make that happen.” The player that attracted the most recruiting attention, as college coaches visited Woodand in the late Spring was Jaemin Pinckney (6-5,217) who was an all-region linebacker last season. “Jaemin has good length and a high motor that never stops,” said Coach Ford. “He is a great read and react guy with a very high football I-Q. He possesses good leadership skills as well.” Pinckney has official visits set up with South Florida and East Carolina over the summer. He is currently holding offers from East Carolina, South Florida, Old Dominion , and Appalachian State . There is a real battle brewing for the starting quarterback position coming out of May drills between junior Jervase Salley (6-2, 190) and junior Tarez James . “Right now, it is neck-and-neck between them,” said Coach Ford. “James might be the better passer and Salley the better runner but they are both quality athletes working hard to get better every day.” The team’s top TE candidate coming out of May drills is junior Cross Batten . A solid short yardage running back appears to be junior Torian Britt (5-8,185). “Torian is very good at running through contact,” said Coach Fiord. Junior TJ Lary will be playing some at running back as well. A top wide receiver candidate is Zishawn Majette a good-looking outside receiver. Cameron Howell is another returning receive3r with experience along with junior newcomer Matthew Lockett who was injured and did not play as a sophomore. Majia Wolfe , up from the jayvee, is another good-looking receiver. The majority of the starters back on offense include the return of highly regarded all-region right tackle Tyreon Summerson (6-3, 306) who returns as a three-year starter. Right guard Kobi Doctor (6-2, 315) is also back along with junior left guard Owen Messex (5-10, 220). Sophomore Sam Gadsen is vying for some time in the offensive line also. Sophomore Jordan Ford , up from the jayvee, could land a starting spot at center. On defense Pinckney is joined by five other returning starters in the 3-4 scheme. Up-front in the trenches talented Donovan Miles (6-2, 250) returns at end. “Donovan is very physical and he loves contact,” said Coach Ford. Sophomore Landon Baker (5-10,215) could see time at the other end slot. Doctor will flip from the offensive line to play nose tackle. Senior Isiah Barnes , a transfer from Ashley Ridge , will fill a spot at outside linebacker. Batton could see time at linebacker along with junior Lakye White . Chandler Fogle will also factor into some play at linebacker. In the secondary two-year starter Lavont Furray returns at corner back. George Terry is a returner at free safety and Jamarcus Amaker will be a new starter at free safety. The other free safety could be Wolfe who would flip from offense. The place kicker will be Gibson Kepley who has a range of 40 yards on field goals. The team is still developing a punter. The team will scrimmage Hilton Head and Silver Bluff on August, 7. Their second scrimmage is at Batesburg - Leesville . Woodland will once again participate in the Dorchester County Jamboree hosted by Summerville High on August 15. Woodland will play Ashley Ridge in that event. “We tell our guys they have to work hard and earn everything they get, on and off the football field,” said Coach Ford. “This group seems a little bit closer knit and more focused. We are hoping we can take the program to a higher level this season.”