Lockhart breaks school rushing record in win

By Greg Brill -- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FRONT ROYAL -- James Wood was determined to let its fourth-quarter loss last week to Sherando become a distant memory.

The Colonels knew full well an 0-2 start in the Northwestern District could put them in danger of ending any chance left of gaining at least a share of the district title, or perhaps worse, a place in the stands when the postseason rolls around.

Two gift-wrapped turnovers by Skyline in the first quarter Friday night took care of all the scoring drives James Wood needed. The Colonels moved out to a 14-point lead and cruised to a 34-6 victory at the Hawks Den.

"We wanted momentum when we came into this game -- we didn't want to trail at all," James Wood two-way starter Brock Lockhart said. "Skyline's a tough team that can score some points, so we stole momentum. We came out fired up, and we came out fired up again in the second half. We got back in the groove of things."

Turnovers or penalties often set the Hawks (5-2, 1-1) back. Skyline gave up an interception on the game's opening drive and had all three of its turnovers in the first half. The Hawks also backpedaled, guilty of eight penalties for 65 yards.

"We definitely shot ourselves in the foot by giving them a short field," Skyline coach Heath Gilbert said of his team's giveaways. "You've still got to give their kids a lot of credit for what they did. They're tough kids and they've bought into what [James Wood] coach [Mike] Bolin wants them to do."

Lockhart added to his area-leading rushing total and set a James Wood single-season record for yards with 1,345 on a short gain early in the second half. Lockhart finished with 130 yards on 23 carries and scored two touchdowns. The previous single-season record of 1,326 yards was set by Clayton Hartman in 1977. The Hawks had the early momentum, driving to the James Wood 31 to open the game. But a first-down pass from Josiah Patrick flew high over Michael Perry's head and into the waiting hands of James Wood safety Harlan Robinson, who returned his interception 20 yards to set up the Colonels at their 33.

James Wood's first two plays netted two yards before Trae Tinsman hit Zach Lloyd on a slant for a gain of 16 and new set of downs. The Colonels had four first downs on a nine-play march that was capped by Lockhart's dive in from the 1 for a 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing pooch kick, two Hawks collided and James Wood recovered the fumble at the Skyline 22. On third down, Tinsman lobbed a pass down the middle to Matt Copley, who split a pair of defenders for a 20-yard scoring reception with 6:35 still left in the first quarter. In a matter of 56 seconds, the Colonels (6-1, 1-1) had 14 points off two Skyline turnovers.

"We had to capitalize on mistakes," Bolin said. "Last week against Sherando we didn't make many mistakes, but the couple that [Sherando] did we didn't capitalize. This week we played well, so we're pretty happy with that."

The Hawks answered with a 75-yard drive for their only score. Key in the march was a gamble by Gilbert at midfield. Facing fourth down and set to punt, the snap went to H-back Rodney Custer, who went through a gap in the middle and all the way to the James Wood 25. After a gain of seven, Cliff Woodard bounced outside and followed good blocking to the end zone to cut James Wood's lead to 14-6 with 1:03 left.

Down only eight, Skyline could not stop James Wood on its next offensive series. Lockhart capped a 58-yard drive by powering his way in from the 18 on the third play of the second quarter to push the Colonels' lead back up to two touchdowns.

The Hawks had one more shot late in the half that went wasted. Woodard gained 44 of his 151 yards on the night on one carry, moving Skyline to the James Wood 40. Woodard rushed for 14 yards on his next carry, and the Hawks faced third-and-4 two plays later from the 20. But on a reverse, Travis Custer lost the handle and James Wood's Mark Bean recovered the fumble at the 27.

When they needed to make plays with their defense, the Colonels flourished.

"One of our keys to victory was to definitely stop [Woodard]," said Lockhart, who plays inside linebacker. "He's a good runner that goes hard. We keyed on him all night."

Said Bolin: "We had some lapses in tackling, but [Woodard's] one of the best we've seen. He's really good at breaking tackles. We knew he was good, just not that good."

Lockhart played only the first offensive series in the second half after suffering a mild ankle sprain. Brandon Shiley scored from 31 yards out to cap the drive, and Cory Schrock later scored from the 1 for James Wood's final touchdown.

"We needed to have a game like this," Bolin said. "Our kids realize last week's game was a game we could have won and didn't."

Skyline moved the ball at times, finishing the game with 15 first downs and 305 total yards. But the Hawks were held to 6 points for the second time in three games, each a loss.

"We moved the ball," Gilbert said. "We had opportunities, but a penalty, a fumbled handoff, would set us back. I reminded me of the Liberty game [a 20-6 loss two weeks ago], where we moved into the red zone but bottled up. But again, give [James Wood's] kids credit for making plays."