Miranda's kick as time expired lifts the Wildcats to a season-opening win

August 17, 2024

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Woodland Wilcats' quarterback, J.D. Trail.

Woodland-Cartersville’s Nick Miranda booted a 20-yard field goal as time expired on Friday night to lift the Wildcats to a season-opening 38-35 win at Woodland-Stockbridge.

The thrilling finish was set up by a crucial 31-yard pass completion from quarterback J.D. Trail to running back Isaiah Livsey. The pass play put the Wildcats in chip-shot range at the Wolfpack 3-yard line.

The victory for new head coach Andy Scott was his first with the Wildcats after taking over the program from Brandon Haywood who moved on to become the head coach at Pepperell.

The 38 points were also the most for a Woodland-Cartersville team since scoring 41 in the final game of 2022 — a 51-41 loss at Hiram.

The Wildcats trailed Woodland-Stockbridge 7-0 midway into the second quarter when defensive back Keve Porter returned a blocked punt 20 yards for a touchdown. Miranda’s PAT kick knotted the score on what would be a rain-soaked evening.

The Andy Scott era at Woodland High School began with a thrilling, last-second win at Woodland-Stockbridge.

After the Wolfpack regained the lead 14-7, Porter made another big defensive play. His interception just before the intermission was returned for a 9-yard, pick-six that sent the two Woodland squads to the locker room tied 14-14.

Woodland-Stockbridge, coming off an 0-10 season in 2023 under second-year head coach Robert Cummings, posted 21 points in the third quarter and built a 35-21 lead in the period before the Wildcats rallied.

A muffed punt set up Woodland-Cartersville’s third-quarter score.  Josue Escobar made the fumble recovery that set up a 17-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Livsey. 

The Wildcats continued to trail by two touchdowns midway through the fourth quarter when Trail connected with Cam Williams for a 28-yard touchdown strike. The locals then attempted a two-point conversion that failed leaving the deficit at 35-27.

On Woodland-Stockbridge’s ensuing possession, the Woodland-Cartersville defense came up with its fourth key turnover and second scoring play.

Nehemiah Colon stripped the ball from a Wolfpack ball carrier and raced 28 yards for a Wildcats’ touchdown. Woodland-Cartersville was then successful on a two-point conversion pass from Trail to Williams to tie the game at 35-35 heading into the final minutes.

Woodland-Stockbridge (0-1) visits Jones County to start Region 2-4A play next Friday.

Woodland-Cartersville (1-0) will host Class 5A Woodstock on Thursday night.