Football Preview: James Wood at Handley

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Where: Handley Bowl, Winchester

Records: James Wood (1-8, 1-2 Northwestern District); Handley (6-3, 2-1)

Last week: James Wood had a bye; Handley beat Millbrook 21-7

Last year: Handley won 28-7

Preview: Both these teams definitely feel a lot better about themselves coming into the regular-season finale than they did last year, when neither squad was going to the playoffs. Handley was on a four-game losing streak, while James Wood was on an eight-game skid.

But the Judges won their second straight game last week and with a No. 7 rating in the 4A North Region are looking at a first round home playoff game with a win Saturday. And by beating Millbrook 13-6 two weeks ago, James Wood snapped its 17-game losing streak that dated back to last year’s season opener.

“[The players] know how to win now, and that’s big,” James Wood first-year head coach Mark McHale said.

Though Handley had its struggles last week — the Judges turned the ball over three times and gained 305 yards, 60 below its average — Handley coach Tony Rayburn said it was good to see the defense take control during a year in which Handley’s offense has usually led the way. Every other Judges opponent had scored at least 17 points this year, and Handley had yet to allow fewer than 24 points in any of its wins.

Something else that was big for Handley was the continued development of its wide receivers. Jarett Cestaro had 10 catches for 104 yards and a touchdown after having 17 catches for 215 yards and a touchdown in the first eight games, and Brian Thomas eclipsed his season total for receptions (seven) with eight catches and had 107 yards after managing 159 previously.

“[Quarterback] Will [Dearing]’s getting more comfortable throwing the ball to those guys, and they’re helping us,” Rayburn said.

What’s also helped Handley this year is playing on its home artificial turf, as the Judges are averaging 46.3 points per game at home and 27.8 on the road.

McHale said it was almost as if he was watching two different teams when comparing Handley on the turf against Skyline (a 56-24 Judges win) to the grass at Millbrook, and he said his team will have to be fundamentally sound on defense to be in the game.

“We have to have a good stance, good alignment, know our assignments and play hard,” he said.

The Colonels had some success running the ball against Millbrook, with Landon Rutherford and Tyler Bishop combining for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. McHale said it’s essential that the Colonels find a way to keep that success going to keep Handley’s offense off the field.

Saturday’s matchup is one both coaches will enjoy because of its history. This will be the 52nd meeting in a series Handley leads 34-16-1.

“They’re playing their best football,” Rayburn said. “We’re looking forward to it.”

— Compiled by Robert Niedzwiecki  and Kevin Trudgeon