After following up the 2023 state championship appearance season with a disappointing second-round exit in 2024, Woodward Academy returned to form last year with a 10-3 record and a quarterfinal appearance that coincided with the War Eagles’ fifth straight region title and tenth under head coach John Hunt. The 2025 season did not get off to a great start when Woodward suffered a 48-21 loss to Carrollton in the season opener, but the War Eagles responded by holding off Collins Hill for a 13-7 win the following week. Woodward’s record went back under .500 with a 16-12 loss to Marist before the start of region play. The first bye week provided the War Eagles with large momentum that led to a clean sweep of the region, as Shiloh was the only opponent that gave them any trouble. The playoffs saw the energy remain, as Seckinger and Statesboro fell to Woodward in the first two rounds before Woodward fell in the quarterfinals to the eventual state champions, Thomas County Central.
The time is now for Woodward to get Hunt his first state title at the school and the program’s first since 1980. The majority of the offense remains the same with Ryan Harrigan at quarterback and Princeton Woods at running back. The receiving corps is the question after the top three receivers from last year graduated, but Langston Hakeem could be the next man up. Defensively, Elijah Lyles returns for his senior season after recording a team-high 76 total tackles in 2025 alongside rising junior Myles Tate.
Key Facts
Head Coach: John Hunt
Coach Record: 149-43
2025 Record: 10-3
2025 Region: 4-5A
2025 Region Record: 7-0
2026 Region: 3-6A
Stadium Name: Graham Hixon Field at Colquitt Stadium
2026 Schedule
8/21 Marist
8/28 @ Chapel Hill
9/11 @ Tri-Cities
9/18 McIntosh
9/24 @ Northside-Columbus
10/09 Newnan
10/16 @ Hughes
10/23 Morrow
10/30 Lovejoy
11/06 @ Creekside
