Timberland ready to make run at region 6AA title

By Neill Kirkpatrick

Special to the HSSR

St. Stephens – The past two years the Timberland Wolves have gotten off to slow starts so heading into the 2024 season one of head coach Greg Wright’s goal was to get off to a strong start and the Wolves have accomplished that as the sit at 4-2/1-0.

“We talked about starting and finishing strong. The past couple of years we have faced a lot of adversity and did not do well in handling it. This group understands we have to play four quarters of solid football,” said coach Wright.

They opened region play with a 53-6 win over Burke. They will host a 3-3/0-1 Academic Magnet which lost their region opener to Andrews 42-6. Then they will finish region play with the three teams that also have region championship aspirations at Andrews (5-1/1-0), home to Phillip Simmons (4-2,1-0) and at Woodland (4-2,0-1)

While getting off to a fast start was paramount for the Wolves they also wanted to bring the Wright Bowl to St. Stephens for the first time in its three-year history. They beat rival Cross 43-14 and accomplished that goal.

Defense has been the name of the game for the Wolves all season. They have held every opponent to less than 300 yards of total offense and in their wins they are allowing only 8.5 points per game. Also, in their four wins they have held their opponent to less than 150 yards of offense.

The Wolves are led on defense by their linebacking corps which is fast and arrives at the ball with bad intentions. Seniors Ethan Milligan and Demarri Middleton have been the teams leading tacklers all year. Earlier against Hanahan Milligan had 13 tackles while Middleton had 11 tackles.

The defensive line is also led by two senior is Kaseam Liferidge and Josh Ham. They clog the middle and make a habit of getting into the offensive backfield for either a tackle for loss or a sack on passing downs.

Sophomore Carter Hawkins is making his presence felt in the secondary and does a great job in run support.

Offensively, the Wolves are averaging 31.5 points per game with only Hanahan holding them under 10 points.

Junior quarterback Malyk Goodman has been solid all year and the good thing for the Wolves he is getting better command of the offense each week.

Senior Aiden Berrios does a little bit of everything for the Wolves but maybe the biggest thing he provides is leadership.

Deontae Cleveland and Jordan Timmons have also been making plays on the offensive end of the field. They both can go the distance anytime they touch the ball.