Woodlawn scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter as the Bears handed the defending state champion Strong Bulldogs their first on-field loss since 2022 with a 58-34 win at Strong Friday night.
Woodlawn trailed 22-20 at the half when the Bulldogs had a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown to put Strong up 28-20 with 9:16 left in the third quarter. But Griffin Manes answered with a 25-yard touchdown run to make it 28-26, and after Brayden Jones recovered a Bulldog fumble, Manes scored on a 32-yard run to make it 34-28 Woodlawn after he ran in the two-pointer as well. Bear quarterback Ethan Saeler followed with touchdown runs of three and 54 yards in the fourth quarter before fullback Ace Culliford rumbled for an eight-yard score after picking up 33 yards on the previous play.
Woodlawn improved to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in South Conference play with the victory. Manes led all rushers with 184 yards on 22 attempts while Saeler closely followed with 182 on 24 carries.
The Bears will travel to Hermitage this Friday night for their fourth road trip in their first five games of the year.