Wood aims for similar results

By Robert Niedzwiecki
The Winchester Star

Winchester — After what James Wood accomplished last week, the Colonels’ offensive approach toward tonight’s game is an understandable one.

“We want to keep doing what we’re doing,” Wood coach Mike Bolin said.

Led by Brock Lockhart’s 302 yards, James Wood (1-0) rushed for 347 yards in a 35-19 win against Washington (W.Va.) last week.

The Colonels look to keep it going against Musselman (W.Va.) at 7 p.m. at Waldeck Field in Bunker Hill, though they made be without offensive guard and defensive tackle Jesse Barnes, who is a game-time decision after injuring his right knee last week.

The Applemen (0-2) have had trouble stopping the run thus far, though they were better in a 16-12 loss to Sherando last week than in their season-opening 38-0 loss to Loudoun County. A week after giving up 292 yards and 8.8 yards per carry to the Raiders, Musselman surrendered 163 yards and 4.5 ypc to the Warriors.

Despite those numbers, Bolin said he’s impressed by what he’s seen. “They’ve got a lot of aggressive players,” Bolin said. “Some teams have a couple of stars but not much else, but they’ve got 10, 11 guys who run hard and play hard.”

The biggest key for James Wood this week will be a better performance on defense against the pass. Washington quarterback Bradley Jackson was 16 of 32 for 292 yards last week, and it could have been worse if not for a few dropped passes. The Applemen had some success through the air against Sherando, with quarterback Brandon Michael connecting for two touchdown passes and 98 yards.

Bolin said he isn’t too concerned with pass defense as of the moment. He’s confident his team is capable of providing the coverage and generating the pressure it needs to be successful.

“We’re a bend-but-don’t-break defense,” he said. “I hate that term, but I guess that’s what we are.

“It’s really about just getting more reps. The biggest thing is that we need more reps.”