Football Recap: Wesleyan Starts Season with Victory Against Commerce + How To Watch

HOW TO WATCH: This game can be replayed on the NFHS Network, the official streaming partner of the GA High School Assn. & Wesleyan High School.
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Wesleyan gave their fans exactly what they wanted out of a home opener on Friday. They took down the Commerce Tigers 45-27. The Wolves have seen this before: they got the W the last time they saw the Tigers, too.

Maddox Gartland

Rushing Yards (Career)

08/15/25 vs Commerce	111
11/15/24 vs Mount Pisgah Christian	44
09/20/24 @ St. Francis	44
09/06/24 vs Business Engineering Science Tech	44
11/29/24 @ Fellowship Christian	31

Wesleyan's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Maddox Gartland led the charge by rushing for 111 yards and one score, while also catching one TD. Those 111 rushing yards gave Gartland a new career-high. Another signal caller making a difference was Walker Kirkland, who threw for 153 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Special teams also played a big role in the game for Wesleyan, adding 21 points to the final score. The biggest highlight from special teams (and perhaps the team as a whole) came courtesy of Billy Gingrey, who ran a punt back for a touchdown. Another bright spot was a kickoff return touchdown from Coleman Eldridge.

Wesleyan didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Tab Butler and Beck Baxley.

Despite the loss, Commerce still got an impressive performance from Layden Bryson, who rushed for 69 yards and a pair of scores on only eight carries, and also threw for 134 yards and one TD. Jace Lyle was another key player, rushing for 77 yards and one touchdown.

Coming up, Wesleyan will challenge North Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. As for Commerce, they will face off against East Jackson at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.