What We Saw: Woodruff 35, Broome 14

WOODRUFF | On Senior Night at Woodruff Friday, a pair of underclassmen stole the show. Sophomore running back [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'] (pictured) and junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1592034' first='Kori' last='Moates'] accounted for 362 of Woodruff's 428 yards of total offense as the Wolverines used big plays to defeat Broome, 35-14, in the regular season finale.   The victory leaves Class 3A fifth-ranked Woodruff (8-1) alone in second place in Region III with a 3-1 record. For the first time since 2019, the Wolverines will host a postseason game in the first round of the state playoffs next Friday.   "It's something that hasn't happened in a long time," said Moates, who had a 64-yard touchdown run and a 73-yard touchdown reception. "We're excited for the community to be a part of it."   Woodruff got off to a bit of a slow start as its first drive ended when a ball deflected off a Wolverine and into the arms of Broome linebacker Jaiden Thomas at the Woodruff 37. That led to a Spencer Dearybury pop pass to Amajai Martin for a four-yard touchdown.   Woodruff got on the board late in the first quarter on a big play not involving Gibson or Moates. On a fourth-and-six, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1253917' first='TJ' last='Morris'] and Snoop Green connected on a 39-yard touchdown.   Broome's ensuing possession began a streak of four consecutive drives that went deep into Woodruff territory, but resulted in no points. The first reached the two before the Centurions settled for a 20-yard field goal attempt that was blocked by Wolverines' freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1672929' first='Malachi' last='Thompson']. On the next play, Gibson rumbled 93 yards to the end zone but it was wiped out by a holding penalty. That was no problem three plays later when Moates lined up in the backfield and took a handoff 64 yards for a touchdown.   The next possession for Broome stopped on a failed fourth down conversion at Woodruff's four-yard line. Its next ended on a lost fumble at the Wolverines' 16. Two plays later, Gibson raced 80 yards for a touchdown to push Woodruff's lead to 21-7 with 3:10 left in the first half.   "I don't know where I'd be without my offensive line. They put in a ton of work every day," Gibson said. "Our defense had a heck of a game holding them to 14. When they make plays like they did in the red zone tonight, it means a lot to the offense. We feed off them and they feed off us."   The Centurions (3-7, 0-4) came back with a 10-play drive to the Wolverines' 22, but that 10th play resulted in an interception by senior Tre Rodgers on fourth down.   Coming out of halftime, Broome got right back in it with a nine-play scoring drive capped when Dearybury connected with Tre'Sean Suber for a 23-yard touchdown to cut the lead to seven. The Centurions quickly got the ball back, albeit at their own two-yard line thanks to a terrific punt of 54 yards by Woodruff's Jackson McCarley. McCarley later added a 64-yard punt to the Broome six-yard line.   Broome proceeded to drive to the Woodruff 22 before its 20-play possession - which lasted from the middle of the third quarter to the first minute of the fourth - ended on a fourth down incompletion. Woodruff didn't give its defense much time to rest as Morris hit Moates for a 36-yard gain, Gibson had a 29-yard run and then scored from nine yards out to help grow the lead to 28-14.   "They're (Broome) one of the better offenses we've played and I thought our defense did a great job," Woodruff coach Brett Sloan said. "We gave up some things, but we really made some plays when we needed to make some plays. I've only got three seniors on defense, so we're kind of young but we still keep getting better over there."   The Wolverines sealed the win on their next possession on Morris' bomb to Moates for a 73-yard score.   Gibson, who entered Friday with 1,186 yards rushing this season, finished with 166 yards on just 13 carries. Moates had 113 yards on three receptions and 83 yards rushing on three attempts. Morris had only seven completions but they went for 185 yards. Green finished with three catches for 58 yards.   Moates lining up in the backfield lately has given a new wrinkle to Woodruff's explosive offense. While they both have great speed, Gibson is more of a natural running back who can muscle his way for tough yards. Having both of them in the backfield gives the Wolverines kind of a thunder and lightning look.   "I give props to the o-line and my coaches for trusting me back there," Moates said. "I'm not going to lie; it's complicated sometimes, but it's been fun."   Broome junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1592026' first='Tyqwon' last='Booker'], who entered Friday's game with 1,111 yards rushing this season, was a workhorse. He had 32 carries for 134 yards to lead the Centurions. Dearybury completed 16-of-27 passes for 151 yards with the two touchdowns and one interception. Suber finished with 56 yards receiving on six receptions.

WOODRUFF | On Senior Night at Woodruff Friday, a pair of underclassmen stole the show. Sophomore running back Aiden Gibson Aiden Gibson 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Woodruff | 2027 State SC (pictured) and junior wide receiver Kori Moates Kori Moates 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Woodruff | 2026 State SC accounted for 362 of Woodruff's 428 yards of total offense as the Wolverines used big plays to defeat Broome, 35-14, in the regular season finale.