Wood seeks 5-0 start

By David Selig
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — It was a mere footnote to James Wood’s 35-14 win over Musselman three weeks ago, but the kickoff the Applemen returned 89 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter served as somewhat of a wake-up call.

From that point, Colonels coach Mike Bolin says his kick coverage team has been exceptional.

“We didn’t make any adjustments, I think the kids just realized that a big play like that can cost you in a big game,” Bolin said. “And I think they kind of owned up to playing better.”

With James Wood 4-0 and winning by an average of 25 points per game, sometimes those little chunks of motivation can prove to be important.

And coming off a game in which Bolin said the Colonels were fortunate to be leading Warren County at halftime, the coach hopes his players are on full alert when winless Brentsville (0-4) visits Kelican Stadium tonight. “We were lucky to be ahead,” Bolin said of the 20-14 edge his team held at halftime of its 41-21 win at Warren. “I think the kids realized in that second half that we’ve got to play better.”

A young Brentsville team fell behind 20-0 within the first six minutes at Handley last Saturday, ultimately losing 47-13, but Bolin watched from the stands and saw a passing game show some life late in the first quarter.

The Tigers drove 80 yards for a touchdown with the help of three passing plays that covered 14 yards or more.

“In the passing game they run good routes, and the quarterback is good at getting outside,” Bolin said. “I think he adjusted well to what Handley was trying to do defensively and made some good throws.”

That quarterback, junior Blake Alexander, finished with 87 yards passing, 64 of which came on four completions during that drive.

The real struggles came on the ground, where Brentsville totaled just 27 yards on running plays (negative-6 yards rushing when including the sacks).

But Wood’s defense wasn’t particularly strong against Warren County’s run game last week, surrendering 254 yards.

Time is running out before the Colonels begin district play against Sherando next Friday, so their ability to make improvements in that area will likely turn out to be more important than tonight’s final score.

“We’ve got to get better at tackling,” Bolin said. “[Warren County] always plays us tough, but we didn’t tackle well, and you can’t give up big plays. Once we get in our district schedule, as soon as we give up big plays, it’s probably going to cost us the game.”

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