Week 1 high school football: Colonels, Judges set for openers

James Wood hopes to start off its season like last year, while a Handley team that proved to be the best locally in 2023 is hoping for a different outcome than last year’s opener.

The Colonels will travel to Warren County on Friday while Handley will host Musselman (W.Va.) on Saturday for Week 1 of the Virginia High School League season. In addition, Millbrook’s home game with Harrisonburg that was originally scheduled for Thursday will now be at 7 p.m. on Friday as a result of inclement weather in Thursday’s forecast.

James Wood at Warren County

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Warren County High School, Front Royal

Series history: Tied 24-24

Players to watch: James Wood — LB/HB Vincent Salvati; RB/DB Kobe Mason; QB Owen Neal; OL/DL Jordyn Sweetser; RB/DL Dominik Ramirez. Warren County — RB/DB Gavin Dodson; QB Bryce Bergmann; RB/LB Blaise Skube.

Coaches: James Wood — Todd Wilson (second year). Warren County — Josh Breeden (second year).

Last year: James Wood did not allow a scoring drive that went for longer than 17 yards in a 14-10 win at Kelican Stadium. The Colonels only allowed 255 yards, with 57 coming on one pass play and one touchdown coming on Dodson’s 60-yard interception return. Elijah Richards ran for 97 yards and scored the winning TD from 3 yards out with 7:15 left in the second quarter to make it 14-10. Casey Floyd batted down Warren County’s double pass in the back of the end zone on fourth-and-8 from the James Wood 10 to preserve the win with 4:08 remaining. Vincent Salvati had a 1-yard TD run for the Colonels.

Preview: Wilson said that Neal will open the season as the starting quarterback in 2024. Neal started throughout his freshman campaign and completed 96 of 217 passes for 1,435 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Neal will be aided by two running backs who made significant contributions last year in Mason (44 carries for 263 yards, a 6.0 average, and four TDs) and Ramirez (68 carries, 336 yards, 12 TDs).

The Colonels return four starters on offense and three on defense. Salvati is back on defense after recording 87 tackles.

The Wildcats are coming off a 1-9 season. Warren County’s offense is led Dodson, who rushed for 502 yards and five touchdowns last year. The Wildcats have a new quarterback this year in Bryce Bergmann. They’ll be operating behind a brand new starting offensive line after all of last year’s starters graduated.

Musselman at Handley

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Where: Handley’s James R. Wilkins Jr. Stadium

Series history: Musselman leads 4-2.

Players to watch: Musselman — QB/DB Zachary Miller; RB/LB Nate Lasure; RB Jaden Rhyne; DB Caleb Ford (Millbrook transfer). Handley — OL/DL Jaishaun Offutt; RB/DB Hassan Akanbi; LB/RB Jo-Jo Johnson; WR/DB Pat Burks; OL/DL Carson Green; OL/DL Jaiquan Offutt.

Coaches: Musselman — Brian Thomas (12th year). Handley — Jake Smith (second year).

Last year: Musselman emerged to win a fireworks-filled 44-34 game over Handley in Bunker Hill, West Virginia. Handley led 21-7 after one quarter and Musselman rallied for a 28-21 lead at the half. Manno Lusca (124 yards, two TDs) tied the game at 28-28 with a 65-yard TD run for the Judges on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, but Musselman scored the next 16 points. Hassan Akanbi had an 80-yard TD run in a game in which the Judges committed 16 penalties.

Preview: Smith said on Tuesday that he would not publicly reveal his quarterback plan for the Judges prior to the game with Musselman. Senior Jack Prosser, junior Ryan Weant and freshman Triston Darling were competing for the job in the preseason.

Akanbi will lead the Handley offense after rushing for 1,220 yards and 10 TDs on 10 yards per carry and catching 29 passes for 473 yards and four TDs last year. He’ll run behind an offensive line that has five players with starting experience, including left tackle and Wake Forest commit Jaishaun Offiutt. Handley averaged 403.6 yards and 31.5 points per game last year.

The Judges have seven starters back on offense and eight on defense. Johnson is back after making a team-high 108.5 tackles last year.

The Applemen went on to a 4-7 season last year. According to The Journal in Martinsburg, West Virginia, this year’s squad experienced significant roster turnover from last year and will be led by juniors and sophomores. Junior Zachary Miller was slated to take over at quarterback after playing wide receiver last year.

— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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