The Woodland Wildcats got their first win of the season Sept. 14 against New Manchester in a close 13-12 victory.

A key to the success of the Wildcats that Friday night was Freddy Werner.

The senior defensive lineman made some great stops throughout the game, but most importantly, he made the stop that secured the Wildcats’ win.

“On their last series, on fourth down, Freddy knocked down the last pass which effectively ended their last chance at winning,” said head football coach Vince DiLorenzo.

Not only did Werner solidify the win for his team, but earlier in the game he made a crucial hit as the Jaguars went for a two-point conversion to take the lead.

“Freddy made the initial hit on the try for two that would have put them ahead, and if he doesn’t stop him in his tracks, they convert,” DiLorenzo said.

Werner is a two-year starter for Woodland, something his coach called “remarkable’ since Werner did not play football until his junior year at Woodland.

While Werner is an upperclassman, he does not have as much experience as some of his younger teammates, but that has not stopped him from being a leader on the team.

“He is a leader in the weight room and someone who I count on to do things the right way time after time. He is a fine young man, and we are lucky he chose to come out for football. I hope we get a bunch more like him in the future,” DiLorenzo said.