Fall Sports Recap

The 2016 fall sports seasons saw some great talent on the field and some outstanding individual performances. Both the football and cross country teams kicked off practice in August. The football team attended a fundamentals camp at Grandview College, while the cross country team started racking up the miles. Both squads were led by veteran coaching staffs. Lorenzo White has coached the football team since 2010, and this was his fourth season as head coach. Jason Anderson has led 4 teams to state as the coach of the cross country team, most recently last year along with his assistant coach, Aric Rush.

The football team changed their approach this season, emphasizing a STATS program. The coaching staff pushed Speed, Technique, Attitude, Temp, and Standard. That eventually transitioned to E+R=O, the Event (football) plus Reaction equals Outcome. At the end of the season, the team became more of a family and fought hard every Friday night. This team had a whole lot of talent and with the system in place, White saw that one of the biggest improvements was "the relationships they made with each other and the coaches." That attitude was felt across campus and generated a huge amount of school pride among the entire student body. At the end of the season, two Knights earned All-District honors because of their work on the field. Shabaka Thurman earned first team recognition, while Mike Solo earned second team honors.

This year's cross country squad was one of the youngest in recent memory, but they grew over the course of the season. Coach Rush saw "a lot of competition [during practice] to be the fastest on the team. Each runner truly found out where their strengths were to ultimately run their fastest race." In many ways, the team got smart in how they ran each race, and this effort paid off on the course. The highlight of the team's season was when they won the Carroll Kuemper Invitational in September.

The true standout of this year's team was Jakob Estermann. The senior runner was the fastest Knight all season and pushed the rest of the team to keep up with him. "I can't say enough about Jakob's work ethic. He came to practice wanting to win and often would not let anyone finish in front of him without a fight," said Coach Rush. That season long work ethic paid off at the District meet when he finished 10th and qualified for the Iowa High School State Cross Country Meet, annually held in Fort Dodge. At the meet, he ran 17:50 and finished in the top half of all runners. Jakob became only the 30th runner in school history to run at the state meet. 

Fall Sports Posters // Football and Cross Country 2016

The fall sports posters for the 2016 season are out and can be picked up on campus. Both sports have begun competition and are getting a good early start to their seasons. Both posters showcase the team, with captains and key athletes playing a predominant role in the images. As always, the 2016 schedule is on there as well. If you have an opportunity to cheer on the Knights for some Friday, gridiron action, or on a golf course near you, I highly encourage you to do so. In the meantime, follow our Facebook page to get updates throughout the season.

Listen Live! // Continuing what Chris Charron Built

Last Friday marked the beginning of the 2016 high school football season across the state. If you had a chance to be at Knights Stadium, it was an electric environment and an entertaining game to watch. We live streamed the game on our new Listen Live! website: Meridix, where you can listen to all of the Knights' football games this season as the official "home and away voice of the Knights."

If you've been a listener to the Knights online, this year will sadly sound different. The Woodward Academy family lost one of its biggest fans and supporters last March, when Chris "Megaphone" Charron, unexpectedly past away. He was the "voice" of the Knights since the beginning of our football program, and is the sole reason why we are able to continue to provide this amazing service this year. In an act generosity, when he passed away, his wife donated much of the audio equipment to Woodward Academy, and it is that equipment that will bring you all of our games.

Fall Sports Posters 2015 // Football and Cross Country

The fall sports posters for the 2015 season are out and can be picked up on campus. With a couple games and meets into the season, the Knights are getting into their stride this season. The football team got their first win in week 2 against a tough SE Warren team. The cross country team has been improving their times all year and can boast that two runners are consistently in the 18's with several more close. Both teams are looking to have a great end to the season. If you have a chance to get to a game or meet, cheer on the Knights. In the meantime, get updates on our Facebook page.

Football 1st Team All-District 2014

Ivan Johnson and Ankoma Riddick were both named First Team All-District this year for their standout performances on the football field. Ankoma led the team in rushing on the offensive side of the ball, but demonstrated that his strengths were on the defensive end. He led the team in solo (61) and total tackles (68.5) and served as a captain on the team throughout the season.

At 6'4", Ivan was the perfect receiver for a passing offense that broke nearly every school record this season. Quarterback Mike Payne (not pictured) received an honorable mention and set new school records in pass attempts (225), completions (96), yards (1640), and touchdowns (11). Most of those passes were to his star receiver, Ivan Johnson. This year, Ivan set a new standard for the position and now holds every school record that includes receptions (29), yards (649), yards per catch (22.4), and touchdowns (7). Darrion Fields also received an honorable mention on the defensive end and set a new school record with 6 interceptions this season for the Knights.

Football Poster 2014

Here is the official football poster for the 2014 Woodward Academy team. The Knights are showing signs of a promising year after a close loss in week 1 and a dominating win in week 2. The picture was taken at the home football field and is a variation to the traditional team picture in the bleachers. The image was taken as one picture and then isolated from the background to create the difference in colors. If you are ever on campus, grab a poster for your office and follow the Knights this season on Press Box Radio.

Fall Sports Begin

The Iowa high school fall sports season is upon us and the Knights are now in full swing competing in cross country and football. This week marks the beginning of official competition with the XC team running at the Iowa State University course on Thursday and the football team hosting Earlham tonight.

If you're hoping to check out a cross country meet or attend a football game this season, here are the schedules. You can also listen to every football game online at www.pressboxradio.com.

Cross Country 2014:
8/28 @ ISU Course
9/4 @ WCV
9/9 @ Winterset
9/11 @ Marshalltown
9/20 @ Carroll
9/25 @ Roland Story
9/30 @ Denison
10/2 @ Perry
10/6 @ North Polk
10/7 @ South Central Calhoun
10/16 @ WCAC Meet, Panora

Football 2014:
8/29 vs. Earlham
9/5 @ SE Webster
9/12 @ South Central Calhoun
9/19 vs. St. Edmond, Fort Dodge
9/26 vs. Manson NW Webster
10/3 @ Ogden
10/10 @ South Hamilton
10/24 @ Panorama

Football Team takes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been sweeping across the United States to help raise money and awareness for what is known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." The WA football coaches have accepted the challenge and enjoyed a nice icy bath.

Listen online - Pressbox Radio

You can listen to every Woodward Academy football game live online by visiting www.pressboxradio.com. You can listen through your computer or on your smartphone and get play-by-play accounts of the game. Now you'll be able to stay in touch with how the Knights football team is doing each week. This Friday, the Knights host South Hamilton in Week 2 high school football action. Go Knights!

Football Poster 2013

Week 1 of the Iowa high school football season is this Friday and the Knights host SE Webster in the home and season opener. Last year, the Knights went on to qualify for the state playoffs for the first time in school history after rattling off 4 wins at the end the season. Head coach Lorenzo White hopes to repeat that with this year's team. He has been with the team all four years and was the team's offensive coordinator last season.

With the season kicking off this Friday, we are showcasing the team in the official season poster. The team is poised on their home field, looking formidable. If you have a chance, check out a game and Go Knights!

Fall Sports Recap // Part 2 // Wall of Fame

Over the past 6 years, Woodward Academy has participated and excelled in high school athletics.  To commemorate these accomplishments, an athletic wall of fame has continued to grow along the ceiling of the primary education building. State and National champions line the hallway in all sports and only decorated teams and individuals who have received honors are mounted. This fall, four additional prints have been added between the football and cross country state qualifying teams. After the break, see the additions.

Fall Sports Recap // Part 1 // Video

The fall sports season at WA has been incredibly awesome! Both cross country and football competed in the post-season with cross country winning the conference title and qualifying for the State Meet as a team and the football team winning their final regular season game to qualify for the Class A State playoffs. You can view images from both seasons at our Knight Pics website by clicking here. But sometimes photos are just not enough.  After the break, watch videos from both seasons. Go Knights!

State Bound // Fall Sports

In what has been a remarkable fall sports season at Woodward Academy, both fall sports teams (football and cross country) are extending their season after qualifying for their respective state events. The cross country team has had their best season to date after recently winning their conference title and being ranked 10th in the state.  After inclement weather postponed the district state qualifying meet, the Knights ran yesterday and finished second as a team and have qualified for the State Meet that will be run this Saturday in Fort Dodge.  This marks the third time that a WA team has qualified for State with the last time being in 2007.

After a win this past Friday against Martensdale St. Marys, the WA football team is playing their first round state playoff game this Wednesday at Griswold.  After a shaky start to the season, the Knights finished 4-3 in the District, which qualified them for the playoffs.  This marks the first time that a WA football team has played in the tournament.

Homecoming Week!

It's Homecoming Week at Woodward Academy and that means themed days and crazy attire.  This year to prepare for the Friday night football game against Audubon, the student body did their best to celebrate each day as decided by the homecoming committee.  The days were as followed: Monday - Mismatch Day, Tuesday - Jersey Day, Wednesday - Nerd Day, Thursday - Dress to Impress, Friday - Knights Pride.  Both students and staff participated widely in the week's activities that also included dorm skits and tailgating on Friday in preparation for the football game. To see more images from the week, visit our Knights Pics website by clicking here.

Football Win // Knights Pride - Video

The Woodward Academy football team got their first victory of the season this past Friday against the Guthrie Center Tigers.  This season, the Knights experienced 3 losses by a total of 9 points and were due for a quality win in the district.  The Knights moved the ball well all night behind Andrew Caulker's 167 yards rushing. In the fourth quarter, the resolve of the team was really tested when the Knight's defense made a 4th and goal stop with under a minute left in the game to secure the 14-8 victory. Check out a couple videos after the break to see what the victory really meant.

WA Football on Pressboxradio.com

Did you know that every Woodward Academy football can be listened to LIVE online?  If you're unable to make to a game, you can still be in touch by going to pressboxradio.com.  From there, click on the WA logo and you can listen to it live.  The pre game show starts 10-15 minutes before each game and play-by-play and color commentary keeps you engaged for each play of the Knights season.  The season begins this Friday at SE Webster and continues every Friday through mid-October.

Football Poster 2012

Football Friday nights are nearly here and with it unofficially marking the beginning of fall.  Practices have been going strong since August 6 and anticipation for the season opener against SE Webster is building.  Pictured is the official 2012 Woodward Academy football poster that was taken during media day.  To view individual pictures of the players from the photo session, go to our Knight Pics website by clicking here.  Next time you're on campus, grab a poster for your office and set aside a Friday night to cheer for WA.  Go Knights!

Fall Sports Begin

This week marks the beginning of high school fall sports across the state of Iowa.  For boys, football and cross country are now in full swing, including at Woodward Academy with two-a-day practices this week.  Two of our six varsity sports take place in the fall and we're in the midst of the transition period where summer is sadly ending and football friday nights begin.  Much more will be talked about both cross country and football here on the blog including each teams sports poster and schedule.  If you're able, find some time to attend a football game or cheer the cross country team on a course near you.