Warriors, Colonels battle for 5th time in the last 3 years

By Robert Niedzwiecki
The Winchester Star

Stephens City — At about 3:30 Saturday afternoon, Walter Barr made his way up the steps of the press box at Shenandoah University’s Shentel Stadium.

Barr, who two years ago completed a wildly successful second stint as James Wood High School’s football coach, had attended the Colonels’ Region II Division 4 quarterfinal game against Loudoun County. But he had to leave the game early because of his television commitment to the SU football team, and he was looking for the final score.

When informed of James Wood’s last-second 27-25 victory, Barr wasn’t surprised.

“They looked good,” he said. “They got back to basics and played like they did in the beginning of the season.”

Because they did, Frederick County football fans are rejoicing.

The sixth-seeded Colonels (7-4) will face No. 2 Sherando (8-2) in the Region II Division 4 semifinals for the second time in three seasons tonight at 7 at Arrowhead Stadium.

If it’s anything like the previous five meetings dating back to 2006, there’s a good chance another classic is in store. Although Sherando has won four of the five games, four of them have been decided by an average of five points, and three were decided within the final 10 seconds. The Warriors recorded a 21-14 win in the 2007 regional semifinal when Sherando’s Derek Crosen tackled Tyler Orndorff following his catch a foot short of the end zone as time expired.

Sherando might talk about this matchup in even tones, but anyone who’s been inside the school’s halls or taken in a practice can tell you that this game is generating a little more excitement than a game against Loudoun County would have.

Standard 81/2-by-11-inch sheets of paper marked with the words “Burn Wood” are plastered all over the Sherando locker room and weight room area. And the Warriors pumped themselves up during one drill at practice by yelling Brock “The Rock” Lockhart five times, in reference to James Wood’s standout running back, who has rushed for 1,894 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Lockhart’s voice didn’t rise when he started talking about what it means to face Sherando. But the knowledge that the Warriors would be waiting on the other side if James Wood beat Loudoun County for its first playoff victory since 1970 was definitely an enticing prospect.

“It’s a chance for redemption,” Lockhart said. “It feels good.”

The Warriors could just have easily been the ones looking for revenge tonight. Despite being outgained 358-257 in the Oct. 9 regular season meeting, Sherando won 21-17 on the strength of two huge second-half kickoff returns and a rushing attack that produced 190 yards to James Wood’s 173.

Sherando was the first of only three teams this year to outgain the Colonels on the ground. But after what transpired Saturday, James Wood’s running game might be humming like never before.

The Colonels’ 299 rushing yards wasn’t their highest total of the season, but because of the opponent, Colonels coach Mike Bolin called Saturday’s rushing attack James Wood’s best of the season. The Colonels were physical up front, and Lockhart hit holes and running lanes off-tackle to the tune of 266 yards and three touchdowns.

“We just had to get back to our basic stuff,” Lockhart said. “We’re not going to get too crazy, though we do have some tricks up our sleeve.”

Bolin said the offensive production James Wood had Saturday actually reminded him of the Sherando game — the only difference being that the Colonels also took to the air to move the chains against Sherando.

But James Wood couldn’t deliver on two crucial second-half drives that night. The Colonels drove 58 yards on the opening drive of the second half, but they stalled on the Sherando 10 and missed a 27-yard field goal. After the Warriors took a 21-17 lead, Bolin lamented two penalties on the ensuing drive, including a holding call after James Wood had driven to the Sherando 42.

Sherando coach Bill Hall was impressed with what he saw from the Colonels against Loudoun County on Saturday, but he said the Warriors won’t be making any major adjustments heading into this game.

The Warriors have been tough against the run throughout the season, allowing just 130.5 yards per game.

“When you boil it down, I think it comes back to the very basics of football,” Hall said. “Blocking, tackling and execution. You always look for turnover ratio and things like that, but whenever you get a tight game like this, or any sort of playoff game, those are the deciding factors.”

Though the Warriors have struggled running the ball at times this year, the game against James Wood was an example of the depth they possess.

Running back Tre Porter (61 carries, 320 yards, two touchdowns) earned his first extended look of the season in the second half because of the absence of Roger Smith and an injury to Kadeem Blackwood, and he rushed 11 times for 61 yards.

In Sherando’s season finale two weeks ago, it was Ryan Kanatus who got the nod over the starter Porter in the second half, and he produced 108 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in the Warriors’ 9-6 comeback victory over Millbrook.

Sherando’s passing attack was particularly impressive at the end of that victory, with starting quarterback Corey Rice completing 9 of 12 passes for 84 yards on the Warriors’ final two drives, which resulted in a touchdown and a field goal. Two of those incompletions were to stop the clock.

In addition to basic football and turnover ratio, Hall also said special teams execution can play a big role between two evenly matched teams.

The Colonels know they must be better in that department after giving up 177 yards on three kickoff returns to Sherando, including Dalton Boyd’s 94-yard return for a touchdown that won the game with 9:06 remaining. Earlier, Blackwood’s 38-yard return to start the second half set up a 51-yard touchdown drive.

Bolin said James Wood can’t afford to give up big plays, and kickoffs definitely fall under that umbrella. Lockhart added that James Wood doesn’t want to kick to Boyd this time.

Undoubtedly, Sherando will still find a way to try to get the ball into the hands of Boyd, who leads the Warriors with 10 touchdowns.

Those battles within the nightlong battle are what usually what makes these Sherando-James Wood matchups so compelling, and the participants can’t wait to wage them again.

“We’re playing our crosstown rival, and that’s great,” Sherando middle linebacker Shawn Branham said. “Everybody’s excited and ready to go.”

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