Woodard Bros - By Gunner Grall
Brothers from a family full of pure athleticism: Josh and Jackson Woodard. Both brothers grew up playing sports following their brother Jase. The Woodard parents were athletes as well. The genetics the woodlands produce is nuts. Personally, growing up with Josh and playing with him and against him, seeing his skill progress was amazing in baseball, football, and especially basketball. He was a pretty damn good baseball player and football player as well. But basketball, that's where that kid absolutely stood out.
Playing against him was a headache, knowing that you're going against Josh's team. The only hope you had was to pray he was sick. It's almost an automatic loss for Josh's opponent in basketball. It’s like the dude has a magnet in the net. He just doesn't miss. One part of Josh that I've learned and really respect about him is that even when he is playing off (which is never), he has a great mindset and doesn't ever pout. He always has his head up and just has a love for the game. That's a huge reason why the Woodards are so successful; everyone is talking about how good they are at sports. It’s their mindset and how they look at the game. And they wouldn't be the way they are without their parents teaching them.
Jackson has always looked up to Josh and tried to compete and be better than his brother. The brothers are always playing against each other in absolutely anything; it's always a competition. Eventually, Josh brought his game to an entirely new level. Josh is a senior at Richland, and his younger brother, Jackson, is a freshman. As the football season rolls around, Josh is the starting QB on varsity, as he has been the past couple of years. Jackson is the starting QB on the freshman team. As the season goes on, Jackson is invited to suit up at the varsity games. The Bombers are playing the Bulldogs at home, and it was a game with a running clock. Towards the end of the game, Neid lets the team's depth take over. The Coaches take Josh out and put in the backup QBs. Eventually, Jackson Woodard gets his first chance to play in the same game as his older brother. The two brothers, growing up playing backyard football together, got the amazing opportunity to play in the same varsity game together at Richland High. Josh’s comment on playing with his brother, “It was awesome.” This was a very special moment in both the brothers' careers; getting that opportunity to play together was a memorable moment in their lives. I spoke with Jackson about the opportunity that he got to play with Josh. He said, “It felt good, especially knowing I even had the chance to just watch and learn from him; he is a great example for me.”
Jackson is truly thankful for Josh and the opportunities that he has created for him by challenging him and making him a better athlete. Jackson, just knowing that he was given the chance to play next to his older brother, was blessed to have that, and he is specifically thankful for all the time he got to watch Josh and learn from him. The way they both play, it’s almost like Jackson can just watch Josh like it's a real-life film for him to study and have better knowledge for the game so he can be more mentally successful for his time to come and be the starting Quarterback on varsity.
Josh is a great leader and example to his brothers and anyone around him, and he wants to be a successful athlete. It was an amazing, honorable moment that Jackson took from playing in the Pasco game, knowing Josh's impact on his teammates, coaches, and peers. He has to live in a moment that Josh experiences daily. Jackson got the chance to be his brother. Jackson getting this opportunity will make him more successful in his career as an athlete and will guide him to be his own person, rise up to be the best he can be, and lead others just like his brother. This experience the Woodard brothers got to have with each other is remarkable, playing at that high of a level of football in the same game, especially with the one and only Richland Bombers.
