1A Six Man

Regional Final 1A Team of the Week: Oakwood Panthers

by
Adam Ogburn
December 4

1A Team of the Week: Oakwood Panthers

Heading into district play, Oakwood probably wasn’t on anyone’s radar outside of Leon County.

The Panthers started their season just 2-5. Fast forward a month though, and now, they’re one game away from playing for a state championship.

Oakwood secured the regional championship this past Friday with an impressive 64-50 win over Iredell. With that win, the Panthers will play in a state semifinal for the second time in the past three years.

“This season has been about overcoming adversity, finding strength in each other, and refusing to let early setbacks dictate our destiny,” Oakwood head coach Johnnathan Johnson said. “To be in this position is a reminder that anything is possible when you trust the process and focus on improvement. It’s not just about the wins and losses—it’s about the grit it takes to rise after each challenge, the lessons learned from every tough game, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.”

The Panthers boasted a balanced attack against Iredell. Gavin Wilbanks paced the backfield with 136 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but Micah Reed (66 rushing yards and two touchdowns) and Dayden Velasquez (31 rushing yards and a touchdown) played their part as well.

Velasquez also made sure the Panthers had an aerial attack. He completed seven passes for 148 yards and two scores.

Reed (60 yards and two touchdowns) and Wilbanks (28 yards and a touchdown) also both found the end zone as receivers. Brady Harrison only had one catch, but it was a big one for 47 yards.

Defensively, Wilbanks made his impact felt as well with six tackles and two sacks. Nick Strickland and Tirrec Jackson both had two tackles for loss.

Now, Oakwood sits just one game away from their first state championship appearance in 33 years. It won’t come easy as they take on Oglesby on Saturday, but Johnson and his squad couldn’t be more excited for the challenge.

“We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and now we’re focused on finishing what we started, knowing we’ve earned the right to compete for something bigger than ourselves,” Johnson said. “This is more than football, it’s a story of perseverance and belief that will stay with us for the rest of our lives”