Timber Creek Wolves made it further in the playoffs this year than ever.
At Timber Creek High School, this football season will be the measuring stick for years to come. After finishing the regular season 7-3, head coach Jim Buckridge's Wolves entered familiar territory in the postseason. But in five previous appearances in the postseason, the Wolves had never won a playoff game. This year, the Wolves were determined to make history.
The first round of the playoffs brought perennial powerhouse Apopka to Timber Creek. Timber Creek's defensive squad, led by coordinator Marc Jackson, shut out the Blue Darters 20-0, securing Timber Creek's first playoff victory. The following week playing at Olympia, quarterback Zach Barrett avenged an early season loss by defeating the Titans 17-6.
With nothing to lose and everything to win, Timber Creek hosted the FHSAA Regional Finals on Dec. 2. In front of hundreds of loud past, present and future Wolves, they battled Neptune Beach Fletcher (11-2), who had eliminated Lake Brantley and DeLand in the first two rounds.
The Wolves surged early to a 13-0 lead, but Fletcher battled back, cutting the lead to 13-7 by halftime. Coming out hard in the second half, both teams played furiously, swapping the lead four times. But a Fletcher drive that was nearly halted at mid field on a fourth-and-8 play turned disastrous for the Wolves, who watched Fletcher put together a touchdown with 52 seconds remaining. Neptune Beach Fletcher won the game 31-27, advancing to the state semifinals.
Despite bowing out early, the Wolves made Timber Creek history and created a football season that will be remembered for years to come.