INSTANT RIVALRY

By Robert Stocks
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — Rivalries usually form through years of competition, but when a school’s enrollment gets split in half to form another — that’s the formula for an instant rivarly.

When Millbrook opened its doors in 2003 with a sizable portion of its enrollment coming from James Wood, the Pioneers-Colonels rivalry started probably before the opening kickoff.

The all-time series between the two teams is tied 3-3, but the Colonels have won three of the last four meetings since 2005.

The last four meetings have all been noteworthy in some way:

*In 2005, the Colonels’ 18-14 win was Walter Barr’s first victory in his return to the James Wood sidelines.

*The next year marked Millbrook coach Reed Prosser’s first year with the team.

*The “Dealy” game in 2007 is best remembered for when Neil Bishop turned his back to the Colonels on a second-quarter kickoff and handed off to Wayne Seipel, who raced 87 yards for a touchdown in a 13-10 Pioneers win.

*James Wood coach Mike Bolin notched his first Northwestern District victory, 16-6, last season.

The two teams renew the rivalry tonight at 7 at James Wood’s Jerry L. Kelican Stadium. It’s about four weeks later than usual, and both teams need to keep winning to keep their playoff hopes alive. “I know it’s a big game for them, because they’re on the [playoff] bubble,” Bolin said. “They’ve got to win and so do we, so we’ve got to be expect every trick in the book. Coach Prosser will have his kids prepared for sure.”

For Prosser, the challenge has been to keep the preparation the same even though it’s an emotional game.

“Anytime you play a local team you want to do well,” Prosser said. “Anytime you play someone in your conference you want to do well. We’ll be excited to play.”

The Pioneers (4-3, 0-1 Northwestern) are currently sixth in the Region II, Division 3 ratings. James Wood (6-1, 1-1) enters tonight’s game ranked fourth in Division 4.

The Colonels, led by senior running back Brock Lockhart’s area best 1,342 yards and 14 touchdowns, average 278.4 yards rushing. Senior quarterback Trae Tinsman provides an efficient, balanced attack, throwing for 887 yards with nine touchdowns with no interceptions.

Lockhart has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in all seven games, rushing for over 200 yards twice and a season-high 302 in the season opener against Washington (W.Va.). His 127 yard performance at Skyline last week broke the school’s single-season rushing record (1,326) set by Clayton Hartman in 1977.

Lockhart said his team kept the same approach in practice this week, but admits the rivalry is just about as big as any on the team’s schedule.

“It’s a big game, and it’s almost as big as the Sherando or Handley game,” Lockhart said. “We’re going to treat it like every other game though and come out with the same mentality.”

Breaking Harman’s record last week adds another wrinkle to the rivalry, as Clayton’s son Jordan is the Pioneers’ top running back (593 rushing yards).

“For me, it’s probably the top [rivalry] just because it’s where my dad went and Brock broke my dad’s record,” Jordan Hartman said this week. “We’re close and I know a lot of them over there, and I just want to play against them.”

There’s little doubt Lockhart’s showdown with Hartman on the ground will figure heavily in the outcome.

“We have to pound the ball and play Colonel football — just run, run, run,” Tinsman said. “Give Brock the ball and he’ll make some big plays, and we’ll pass the ball when we need to.”

Prosser said slowing down James Wood’s running game is the Pioneers’ first priority.

While Millbrook’s defense (which allows 166.3 rushing yards per game) must turn in a solid effort, the Pioneers offense must keep the chains moving. Along with Hartman, junior Josh Casagranda has rushed for 303 yards and a team-high five scores.

Millbrook all-district tackle Doug Murrell had trouble recalling the final score when asked about last year’s game — but he and his teammates definitely remember the outcome.

“I’ve been waiting for this game since last year,” Murrell said. “I can’t remember the score from last year, but we lost and that’s all I need to know.”

“For the playoffs, we definitely need to get back on track and have a good win to show the district what we can do,” Hartman added. “We’ve had a few off games and we just need to come out fired up.”

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