Chiefs and Wolverines Set for Crucial Region Battle

Scouting the Wolverines

The Woodstock Wolverines got back in the win column last week, holding off Pope on the road to earn their third region victory. Now, they return home looking to build momentum and make it two straight in region play.

The Wolverines have shown good balance offensively, throwing for 1,466 yards and rushing for 1,096 yards through seven games. Quarterback Graham Burmeister has been at the center of it all, throwing for 1,420 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 65.2% of his passes. Burmeister has also led the team on the ground with 557 rushing yards and five touchdowns, making him a true dual-threat weapon.

His top target has been Rylan Hubbard, who continues to shine with 50 receptions for 563 yards and four touchdowns. Woodstock is averaging 26.5 points per game, while its defense has been solid, giving up 17.8 points per game. Defensively, the Wolverines are led by Tyler Howard (46 tackles), Trace Washington (41), and Danny Palmese (40). Djibil Ba has been a force in the trenches, leading the team with 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, while the defense as a whole has totaled 13.5 sacks and forced 10 turnovers.

Scouting the Chiefs

The Sequoyah Chiefs, meanwhile, rebounded from their first loss of the season with a dominant shutout win over Lassiter. The Chiefs were without star running back Will Rajecki, who has already rushed for 999 yards and 16 touchdowns, but they didn’t miss a beat offensively.

Quarterback Kolby Martin stepped up in Rajecki’s absence, throwing for 259 yards and three touchdowns last week. Joseph Lucente and Brody Vance shared carries on the ground, combining for 86 rushing yards. For the season, Martin has totaled 1,142 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, spreading the ball effectively to a reliable receiving corps that includes Brooks Darling (19 receptions, 315 yards, 1 TD) and Jack Ripley (17 receptions, 378 yards, 6 TDs).

Sequoyah’s offense has been among the most potent in the region, averaging 42 points per game, while the defense has been suffocating — allowing just 10.7 points per game and recording three shutouts. Linebacker Drew Williams leads the unit with 56 total tackles and nine tackles for loss, while Michael Fountain has registered a team-high four sacks. In the secondary, Brooks Darling has showcased his versatility with four interceptions.

Keys to the Game

Woodstock Wolverines

• Establish the Ground Game: Burmeister and the running backs must find success early to keep Sequoyah’s aggressive defense honest and open up play-action opportunities.

• Protect the Quarterback: Sequoyah’s pass rush can be relentless — the offensive line will need to give Burmeister time to make throws and use his mobility wisely.

• Limit Big Plays: The Chiefs have explosive weapons at receiver; Woodstock must prevent chunk gains and force Sequoyah to drive the length of the field.

Sequoyah Chiefs

• Control the Line of Scrimmage: Whether or not Rajecki plays, Sequoyah must win up front and dictate tempo through the run game.

• Pressure Burmeister: Forcing Woodstock’s quarterback to make quick decisions will be key to disrupting their offensive rhythm.

• Stay Balanced Offensively: If Rajecki is sidelined again, look for Martin to mix in his legs and short passes to keep the Wolverines off balance.

Pundit's Pick

Both teams enter this matchup as part of a five-way tie for first place in Region 6-6A, making this one of the most meaningful games of the week.This matchup has all the ingredients for another down-to-the-wire region battle. Both teams are physical, well-coached, and capable of striking balance on offense. Expect an intense, playoff-like atmosphere in Woodstock.

Prediction: Sequoyah by 6