Woodland Focused On Region Title With Many Three-Year Starters Back On The Team By Billy G. Baker
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By Billy G. Baker
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Dorchester—The Woodland Wolverines were awarded a 14-8 win over Cross last week after a fight broke out between both teams on the Cross sideline, midway through the second period.
The best accounts of the altercation, which have been seen on social media, began after a Woodland defensive player was penalized for a late hit on a Cross ball carrier near the Cross sideline on the field. With the Woodland defender walking away, the tackled player from Cross, appears to spear the Woodland defender in the back upset about the late hit, and shortly afterwards seven players on defense for Woodland were confronted by the entire Cross team consisting of 25 players when they all came on the field.
“I have never encountered anything like this in my 28 years in coaching,” said head Woodland football coach Eddie Ford. “My guy made a late hit, no doubt about that, and the official rightfully threw a flag on him. Then when he was walking away, as I was yelling at him, the Cross player confronted my player with a hit to his back, and suddenly, we had a problem on our hands.
Coach Ford is very clear that only seven of his players were involved in the altercation, with his other four defensive starters coming off the field as the altercation started. Coach Ford is also certain that all of Cross’ 25 players came on the field during the altercation.
“The whole thing only lasted around two minutes, but a lot of things happened in those minutes,” said Coach Ford. “Once we got matters restored the officials said it was no way the game could continue. Because we were winning at the time of the incident we were declared the winner of the game.”
Just which players will be suspended, from either team, will be decided by the SCHSL on Monday, August 31 with the HSSR going to press with this issue earlier on that same day.
This week, Woodland is scheduled to play at Colleton County while Cross has a game scheduled with Timberland.
“We have 43 players on our roster, and none of our offensive players were involved at all in the incident,” said Coach Ford. “We will likely lose some defensive players because of the incident, and we will have to place some of our offensive players on defense this week.”
Woodland scored two touchdowns against Cross on a two-yard run by sophomore Khalin Bryant and on a 15-yard run by sophomore Kaiyan Thompson. James Moorer made both PAT’s.
Coach Ford is very high on senior quarterback Jervaze Salley (6-2, 190) who is starting for his third season. “He is the best dual threat quarterback we’ve had at Woodland since Suderian Harrison played for us four years ago,” said Coach Ford. “He has been a good leader, plus he has a strong arm with quick feet.”
Woodland prepared for the 2026 season with a controlled scrimmage against Batesburg-Leesville at home on August 21. “It had all the appearances of a real football game,” said Coach Ford. “We had a paid gate, paid officials, a live band with cheerleaders and a really good home crowd,” said Coach Ford. “We won that scrimmage 48-10 and it helped get us ready for the season.
“Salley had a real good game against Batesburg-Leesville, and our receiver Jeremie Jean (transfer from Stall) had a good game at wide receiver also,” said Coach Ford. “On defense, our sophomore defensive end Ray Smith (5-11, 200) played well also.”
Woodland has numerous three-year starters on their current team. Some of them include defensive lineman Kolby Doctor (5-11, 270) who is a three- year starter, along with senior LB Kye White, ILB Chandler Fogle and senior LB George Perry, all three-year returning starters.
Offensive left tackle Sam Gadsen (6-3, 230) is another three-year starter who also plays LB. “The Citadel likes Gadsen a lot as a linebacker,” said Coach Ford.
Senior offensive right tackle Owen Messex (5-10,225) is starting for his third season also.
The starting LG for Woodland is sophomore Machi Singletary while the RG is junior Jordan Ford, and the center is first year freshman starter Grady Baggott.
Joining Doctor in the Wolverines defensive line is junior Payton Harrison, sophomore Ray Smith, and senior Cross Batton. The secondary is made up of sophomore Kymonte Goodwin (5-11, 175), senior Trey Gilbert, senior Majia Wolfe, and FS Duke Williams (6-0, 165).
Freshman running back Sar’mani Grampua joins Thompson as a starter in the back field. The two starting receivers are Jean and sophomore Jahlin Herring. Senior Zane Williams is the starting tight end. Jayson Clifford handles punting duties.
“Th strength of our team this season is that we finally have depth on both sides of the football,” said Coach Ford. “We have a lot of depth in both our offensive and defensive lines.
“We have a strong goal of competing for a region title, and we also hope to make a deep playoff run,” said Coach Ford. “It will be very important for he team to stay healthy.”
Woodland had been scheduled to play Fort Dorchester on August 14 in the Dorchester County Jamboree, but that event was cancelled due to severe weather.
Coach Ford lost four coaches from last season. One of them was former offensive coordinator, Brooks Burnette, who returned to his alma mater as the head coach this season.
“We are delighted with the two new coaches we hired from Goose Creek High,” said Coach Ford. “Grady Baggett is our offensive line coach, and his brother Knox is our wide receiver and strength coach. They both get along well with our offensive coordinator Kelly Bryant who played at Clemson and this is a chief reason we feel like our offense will be very productive this season.”
Coach Ford has also been chosen as a Shrine Bowl assistant coach this season. He will coach defensive backs in the all-star game slated for Spartanburg in December.
“It is a big honor for me being selected as a Shrine Bowl assistant coach and this is something that all coaches put on their bucket list of goals when they get into coaching,” said Coach Ford. “I am thankful for the opportunity. We have already met seven or eight times as a staff over the past four months.”
Woodland is in a new region with realignment this year. “We traded Andrews and Burke for Lake Marion and Battery Creek,” said Coach Ford. “It will be a very competitive region once again.
