Colonels shred Hawks' defense in 56-21 romp

FRONT ROYAL — James Wood's offense rolled up 512 yards of offense to cruise past Skyline 56-21, as the Colonels improved to 3-0 on the season.

After struggling on offense in wins against Warren County and Brentsville to begin the season, everything came together for James Wood (3-0) against the Hawks in their high school football home opener.

"We've been frustrated to say the least in the first couple of games of the season, but we knew these were the type of things that we could do," James Wood coach Todd Wilson said. "We knew we had big play capabilities. For some reason we just weren't putting it together the first couple of games. Maybe it was the first game jitters — and we are playing with a bunch of young guys, maybe that was some of it — but it really clicked tonight. We did some nice things."

The Colonels' offense clicked early and often against the Hawks (0-2).

On Wood's first play of the game, quarterback Owen Neal faked a short pass to the flat and went downfield to find a wide-open Xavier Price for a 61-yard completion down to the Skyline 4-yard line.

Two plays later, Vincent Salvati bulled in from 1 yard out. The Colonels held the Hawks on downs to get the ball back at the own 26.

Five running plays moved Wood to the Skyline 46, then Neal found Price wide open down the sideline once again for a 41-yard completion. Two plays later Salvati scored again from 1 yard out to push the Colonels' lead to 14-0.

"We had three straight up coverage busts early on," Skyline coach Heath Gilbert said. "But we really didn't stop the run."

After the early air assault was successful, the Colonels' ground game took over, gaining 309 yards on 41 carries.

Skyline cut James Wood's lead to 14-6 midway through the first quarter as Hawks quarterback Nate Ballard scooped up a low snap and found running back Zayden Burks on a middle screen pass. Burks juked out a couple of Wood defenders to race 46 yards.

James Wood immediately answered on its next possession as the Colonels went 67 yards in eight plays as Salvati scored his third touchdown of the quarter on a 3-yard run.

The Colonels extended their lead to 28-7 as Neal hooked up with Xander Mando for a 31-yard touchdown pass.

The Hawks cut the lead in half, 28-14, on its next series as Ballard found Isiah Maxwell down the seam for a 66-yard TD. Marquess Lockhart added the two-point run.

Again, the Colonels responded. Kobe Mason rumbled 21 yards to push the Colonels lead 35-14 at the half.

The Hawks put together their best drive to start the second half, going 50 yards on seven plays as Ballard connected on his third touchdown pass of the game, this time finding Burks for a 24-yard score.

But the Hawks' defense couldn't find a way to slow down the Colonels. Wood marched 57 yards in six plays as Mason scored from 12 yards out.

"I really felt like we matched up well," Gilbert said of his defense. "We tried to do multiple things and switch it up — tried to bring pressure, but ultimately, they figured out how (to keep running). We only got two stops all night."

Price thwarted the Hawks next possession coming up with an interception for Wood, and after having to punt it back to Skyline, the Colonels came up with strip fumble recovery to take the ball back once again.

This time, Wood took advantage, taking two plays to score as Price swept around the left side for a 13-yard touchdown run.

Leading 49-21 to begin the fourth quarter the Colonels ground game controlled the clock and scored the final touchdown of the game as Jayden Jordan scored from 1 yard out.

In all, five different Colonels scored in the game.

"We don't just have one or two guys," Wilson said, "We have multiple guys who can take it the distance."

Mason led the Colonels ground game with 148 yards on 15 carries. Neal completed 8-of-12 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown.

Burks led the Hawks with seven receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Ballard was 12 of 19 for 239 yards and three TD passes.

The Colonels will host a very strong Kettle Run team next Friday in what should be Wood's biggest test to date.

"It's a long season, and the ultimate goal is to get into the playoffs," Wilson said. "We know there is some very tough competition. Kettle Run next week, a great program, and Handley not far behind them and other teams in the mix as well. We have a tough schedule, and we don't take any of them lightly. It's a back-to-work mentality."