James Wood (2-0) at Culpeper County (2-0)
After blowing out Clarke County (44-3) and Dominion (57-6), the Colonels will get their toughest test yet when then travel to take on the Blue Devils. This will be the first meeting between the teams since 2019, when James Wood won 28-21 during Culpeper’s two-year stretch in the Northwestern District.
After going 3-8 last year, Culpeper has wins this season over Western Albemarle (34-7) and Eastern View (15-14 in overtime). Last week’s win over the Cyclones was particularly noteworthy. The Blue Devils were 0-17 all-time against Eastern View before last week’s win, and the Cyclones hung tough with Handley in a 23-9 defeat in Week 1.
For Culpeper, Riley Vinyard (18 carries, 71 yards last week) had a 6-yard TD run and a two-point conversion run in overtime to give the Blue Devils the win. Caleb Green had 11 carries for 48 yards and a 5-yard TD run and quarterback Riley Lentz was 8 of 13 for 92 yards. Green was Second Team All-Region 3B as a running back and defensive back and Vinyard earned Second Team honors as a linebacker last year.
James Wood is allowing only 104 yards per game. The Colonels’ defense is led by linebacker Jackson Ledford (13 tackles), defensive lineman Heston LaRue (12 tackles) and linebacker Logan Lafolotte (six tackles, two sacks). Xavier Price and Xander Manzo had two interceptions each last week.
The Colonels are averaging 423 yards per game. Owen Neal leads the area in rushing yardage (235 on 14 carries; four touchdowns) and is second in passing yardage (250; he’s 7 of 15 for 250 yards, three TDs, one interception). Jeremiah Hodel has 13 carries for 161 yards and two TDs.