Whitefield Academy defeated Wesleyan 42-35 in opener

Whitefield Academy kicks off 2026 season with thrilling win over Wesleyan

The first Friday of the Georgia High School Association has come to and end and the Wesleyan Wolves and Whitefield Academy Wolfpack did not disappoint in their season opening matchup as the two teams combined for 77 points and 11 touchdowns, however in the end, the Wolfpack would be victorious as they picked up the 42-35 win.

"It was awesome," Whitefield Academy senior quarterback, Landon Ryan said following the Wolfpack's season opening win. "Proud of our guys to come out the way that we did and respond in the second half," Ryan, who finished with five touchdowns, one passing and four rushing, said of Whitefield Academy overcoming being down by as many as 14 points in the first half to get the victory.

As the game kicked off, the Wolfpack opened with a 13 play drive which would put them deep in Wesleyan territory, however would staff as Ryan was forced out of bounds on a fourth and goal scrabble and on the ensuing Wesleyan possession, senior quarterback, Jameson Hilton through his first touchdown pass of the night to Geno Houchins as the Wolves took a 7-0 lead.

Wesleyan would extend their lead in the second quarter as Hilton connected with Hudson Barnett and the Wolves took a 14-0 lead, however Whitefield Academy would respond on the very next possession as Ryan through his lone passing touchdown to senior Ian Kelly. But on Wesleyan's very next possession, Hilton and the Wolves would need just three plays to extend their back to 14 as a Hilton rushing touchdown put Wesleyan up 21-7.

But just before the half, Ryan would rush for his second touchdown of the night to cap a seven play drive for the Wolfpack, who would trail 21-14 at halftime. In the third quarter Whitefield Academy returned to the field with momentum behind them, scoring the first 14 points of the third quarter as junior running back, Amos Robinson and Ryan would both rush for touchdowns to help the Wolfpack take a 28-21 lead.

From that point, the two teams would exchange scores as Hilton and Houchins connected on a touchdown for the second time of the night, tying the game at 28 a piece, but Ryan's their rushing touchdown would put Whitefield Academy back in front as they went up 35-28. Yet, the Wolves would once again respond ads Hilton rushed for his second touchdown of the night, leading to Wesleyan tying the game 35-35.

On the next Wolfpack possession, the Wolves would have the Wolfpack in a fourth and 10 yards to go situation and defensive pressure would force Ryan out of the pocket and while scrambling, Ryan found senior, Luke Linder, who made the reception at 11-yard line of the Wolves and later on the drive with nine seconds remaining, Ryan would rush for his fifth touchdown of the night to put the Wolfpack back in front 42-35, which be the eventual final score.

"Nothing special, just come out and do what we do," Ryan said when asked what the message was at halftime to help them refocus for the second half and come out and "dig deep and find that grit we've been working on," Ryan said, crediting the Wolfpack's offensive line for the success he was able to have on Friday. "Super proud of them. We have four new starters on the line, they stepped up big time leading the way for me and I'm super proud of the whole team," Ryan said.

Whitefield Academy will be back in action on Friday when they host Mount Vernon, while Wesleyan will travel to take on Elbert County.