Wildcats, Bruins trade touchdowns before Northwest Whitfield pulls away

September 19, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Woodland and Northwest Whitfield traded touchdowns throughout a wild first half Friday night at Bruin Stadium in Tunnel Hill before the Bruins pulled away for a 42-28 victory.

The loss dropped Woodland to 2-2, while Northwest Whitfield improved to 4-1 with its third straight win.

The Wildcats jumped in front 7-0 with 6:53 remaining in the first quarter when Solomon James scored on a 36-yard touchdown run. Chad Waller added the PAT.

Northwest answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Kyle Cummings to tie it 7-7 with 4:07 remaining.

Just 11 seconds later, Woodland regained the lead when Sam Ray connected with James on a 61-yard touchdown pass. Waller's PAT made it 14-7.

The Bruins responded with a 31-yard touchdown pass with 3:33 left in the opening quarter, although the PAT failed, cutting Woodland's lead to 14-13.

Woodland struck again less than a minute later. Ray found Peyton Young for a 63-yard touchdown, and the Wildcats led 21-13 after Waller's PAT.

Northwest Whitfield scored on an 18-yard touchdown run with 5:16 left in the second quarter and added a successful two-point conversion to tie it at 21-21.

Hayden Collins then put Woodland back in front with a 5-yard touchdown run with 3:53 left in the half. Waller's PAT made it 28-21.

The Bruins answered with a 1-yard touchdown run with two minutes remaining, and the PAT tied the game at 28-28 at halftime.

Northwest Whitfield took its first lead of the night with 7:14 remaining in the third quarter when quarterback Smith Brownings scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. The PAT made it 35-28.

The Bruins added the game's final points with 1:47 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 14-yard touchdown run by running back Zavien Villafuerte, followed by the PAT to make it 42-28.

Ray completed 9 of 21 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

James was a major part of the Woodland offense, rushing for 121 yards on 17 carries with one touchdown. He also caught three passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.

Woodland head coach Andy Scott commended his opponent and his own players' efforts.

"Hats off to a really well-coached Northwest Whitefield team," said Scott. "I'm really proud of our kids; they had lots of opportunities to come back in the second half but just did not capitalize on those opportunities. We are looking forward to starting region play this week against a really talented Cass team, and looking forward to being at home in front of our fans and student section."

Woodland returns home Friday to host Cass. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

~~ Stuart Morse contributed to this report.