Etowah hosts neighborhood rival, Woodstock, in the 26th installment of the Battle of Towne Lake

Scouting the Eagles

The Etowah Eagles will debut new head coach Brett Vavra in one of their biggest games of the season as they host neighborhood rival Woodstock. Etowah looks to bounce back from a 2024 campaign marred by injuries and inconsistent offensive production.

The Eagles averaged just 12 points per game a year ago, but there’s reason for optimism. Quarterback Zeke Douglas and versatile WR/RB Walker Hughes both return after starting last season, giving Etowah two promising young playmakers to build around. With their continued development, the offense could take a significant step forward.

Up front, the Eagles’ offensive line will be anchored by all-region performer Preston Schug, providing stability and leadership in the trenches as Etowah begins its rebuild under Vavra.

Scouting the Wolverines

The Woodstock Wolverines made the postseason in 2024 for the first time since 2017, capping a season that marked major improvement from 2023. The team boosted its scoring by 14 points per game while cutting points allowed by 17, a sign of balanced growth on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Graham Burmeister returns after taking over as the starter last season. Burmeister threw for 2,057 yards and 15 touchdowns while also rushing for 485 yards and adding seven scores on the ground, giving Woodstock a dual-threat presence in the backfield.

The Wolverines will need to replace much of their production at receiver, as well as their 1,000-yard rusher, Zay Payton, who graduated this past May. Junior Trace Washington will be a key player in that effort, expected to make an impact both as a ball carrier and at linebacker on defense.

Woodstock’s secondary and linebacker corps are in capable hands with Washington, Tyler Howard stepping up as the next man up, and defensive backs Daniel Palmese and Tyler Barbera patrolling the secondary. With a mix of returning talent and new playmakers, the Wolverines look to build on last year’s breakthrough while navigating the challenges of a tough region schedule.

Pundit's Pick

Week 1’s “Battle of Towne Lake” matchup between Etowah and Woodstock comes with plenty of questions for both programs. For the Eagles, success will hinge on how quickly their offensive line can gel to give up-and-coming stars Zeke Douglas and Walker Hughes the space to make plays. For Woodstock, the challenge lies in replacing most of their production at receiver and filling the void left by two of the best linebackers in school history.

History adds extra intrigue: in the 25-game series, only once has a team won three consecutive matchups—Woodstock did it from 2004–2006. With that context, both teams will be looking to make a statement early in the season.

Etowah enters 2025 with plenty of potential and a chance to make significant strides under new head coach Brett Vavra. However, we like Woodstock to leverage its experience and balanced roster in a tight, competitive game.

Prediction: Wolverines by 6.